You’ve probably heard the phrase “getting off the beaten path” as an expression for taking a risk or trying something new. On a recent climbing trip, I realized how often I literally do just that. Trails to the base of climbs are faint, sometimes disappearing altogether over stretches of rock where it’s easy to lose your way. Climbers rely on a nifty system of stacked stones—called cairns—to mark the path, like breadcrumbs in the Hansel and Gretel fairytale.

But in less-traveled areas, there’s often neither trail nor cairn, and I notice how quickly anxiety rises within me when the direction is unclear. Suddenly I have to pay close attention—spotting the mountain, choosing the best line toward it, and carving my own path. Why is that so unsettling? Look at a trail winding through the woods—doesn’t it feel instantly calming? The direction is clear. No decisions to make. Just walk forward. But if you’ve ever lost the trail on a hike, you know the feeling—that immediate “oh no” in the pit of your stomach.

It reminds me of all the times I’ve had to carve my own path in life—learning to ride a bike as a kid, drive a stick shift in East Germany, rollerblade when I first came to California, ski in my 30s, and climb over the last six years. There was no beaten path—if I wanted it, I had to make it happen. The formula I see emerging is: Desire → Find a way (or make one) → Go.

The top of a mountain is a sweet reward thats worth the uncertainty of an unmarked trail. But in most areas of my life, I crave the comfort of a beaten path. Maybe this comes as we get older – we get set in our ways, we have our routines figured out, we know what we like and stay clear of what we don’t like. I don’t have to exert effort if I don’t want to. But sometimes I do.  I want to read more books. I want to eat fewer sweets. I want to be a better friend. There is no easy trail to the things we want, otherwise we would already have them.

I know that very time I’ve taken my own way through the woods, I realize afterward:
– Navigating without a trail is a little scary, but it’s also fun, full of unexpected turns and adventures.
– The detours teach me patience and perseverance.
– Reaching my goals feels far more rewarding than simply following someone else’s path.

Without a trail, without cairns, I can always quit or climb a route I have climbed before. Not taking a risk keeps me warm and cozy—but it also holds me back from growing. Only by stepping off the beaten path do I discover what new experiences are waiting for me. I become resourceful, creative, I use my brain, and I might have ideas that take me in a new direction.

So I wonder: where in your life are you following the beaten path for comfort—and what might open up if you trusted yourself to find your own way?

If this question resonates, I invite you to journal on it—either on your own, or with a friend. Meet for a cup of coffee, spend ten quiet minutes writing, then share any insights that surfaced.

In our monthly journaling workshops, Laura and I witness the magic that happens when we write together in a supportive, open community. People share only what they feel comfortable sharing, and yet deep insights and meaningful connections emerge. We’d love for you to experience it too—maybe you can join us this month?

Warmly,
Janine