While scrolling through a dating app, I stumbled across a profile that caught my eye. It read, “Life is too short to just exist. Step up and live every day. I mean, really live.” Those words sparked an interest in me to think deeply about living.
In the Financial Independence (FI) world, the idea of “living” versus “existing” is often discussed. Achieving financial freedom isn’t just about escaping “the grind”. It’s about using that freedom to fill our days with meaning. Whether it’s savoring a quiet Tuesday afternoon cuddling with a pet, tackling a thousand-mile trek on the Appalachian Trail, writing a new book, or volunteering to pull invasive plants at a local park on a Friday morning, the goal is to live intentionally.
But what does “living” actually mean? When do I feel truly alive? Are there specific activities, conversations, places, thoughts, or moments where I feel beyond existing?
The more I reflected, it became clear that I feel most alive when I’m challenged. Not in the sense of stressing for an exam or finding an alternate way to the airport when there is traffic congestion. But in the moments when I choose to challenge myself just because. It’s about stepping outside my comfort zone and growing through the experience.
Whether it is trekking through a jungle, learning to SCUBA dive, or simply running a few miles, these moments make me feel alive. They force me to confront discomfort, push past limits, and have a renewed sense of possibility. For me, being uncomfortable is where growth happens, and where living begins.
This idea was reinforced while listening to an episode of the Solo: A Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life podcast titled “Romance and Love as a Solo” (November 07, 2024). The host posed a compelling question: what does it mean to be alive? They offered examples ranging from courageous acts, like walking up to a stranger in a restaurant to give them your number, to great sex.
I decided to conclude 2024 by running the distance of a half-marathon. I had run this distance a handful of times before, but I wanted to run this distance with hills, just because. During the final few miles, I was tired, but I realized the reason I wanted to stop running was more of a mental barrier than physical limitations. I kept running slowly, and when I crossed the metaphorical finish line, I felt more than tired. I felt alive.
Living, I’ve realized, often means embracing the hard, the awkward, and the uncomfortable. But in those moments of challenge, when I push past my boundaries, I discover my capacity for growth. And my potential to truly live.
