When Things Don't Go As Planned

Redefining success amid life's surprises.

Hi, I’m Reid! I write about my life experiences and how we can all live in brave new ways. Dare You is an entirely reader-supported publication. To receive weekly posts and support my work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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To be completely honest, it’s not that I don’t like Taylor swift; it’s that I’ve just never really cared for her music. But one day, my friend Lysette called and asked if I wanted to go see the Eras Tour movie just to see what all the hype was about. I had nothing else going on that evening, so I said, “Sure, why not.” As I sat in the theatre surrounded by women of all ages standing up and dancing, singing every word to the songs they knew by heart, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sadness when I realized that I will most likely never achieve that level of influence in my lifetime.

As a child, I just knew I was destined to make a big impact on the world. I knew exactly how I was going to do it by exactly this age and exactly how it would feel. I had a ferocious belief in myself and my ability to make my biggest dreams come true. Yet here I am, being forced to accept the fact that nothing has gone as planned, nor have I reached the level of success and influence I was so sure was my destiny, and not without trying.

It’s a hard pill to swallow. A necessary one. Accepting that life has never and most likely will never go as planned is the first step to freedom.