The Eye-Opening Birthday Question
At a close friend’s recent birthday celebration, my husband posed a simple yet powerful question:
“What have you learned this past year that you didn’t know before?”
Our friend’s response sparked a conversation about the exhausting cycle of work, family, and routine—what many call the “rat race” of life.
His story is one I think many can relate to—he has a wife, young kids, and a full-time job. He described the unending cycles of work, kids, dinner, clean up, and then back to work. He admitted he was living for the weekend, only to find himself wishing for Monday once it arrived. It’s fair to say my husband and I could relate. Raising small children and working full-time isn’t for the faint of heart—yet I’m all too aware that both are a blessing.
As we talked more, I couldn’t help but put on my coaching hat. He shared how the monotony of his daily routine was wearing him down. Every day felt the same—like Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day. Yet, despite his frustration, he had done nothing to change it. He seemed resigned to the idea that this was how life would be for now. The thought of something better didn’t even seem like a possibility.
Sound familiar? Many of us feel stuck in this routine, believing there’s no way out. But what if change was simpler than we think?
You Have More Control Than You Realize
We often accept life as it is, forgetting that small shifts can create meaningful change. Here are three steps you can take to break with the same-old and move toward better:
1. Challenge the routine. Identify one area of your daily routine that feels the most repetitive or draining. Could you swap your morning scroll on your phone for a brisk walk? Trade watching TV in the evening for a creative hobby? Swap the dinner in with a dinner out? Small shifts in your routine can spark big changes in how you feel about your days.
2. Reframe your mindset. Sometimes, it’s not the circumstances that need to change—it’s our perspective. What would happen if you viewed your responsibilities not as chores but as opportunities? For example, instead of “I have to clean up after dinner,” think, “I’m creating a welcoming space for my family.” Gratitude and reframing go a long way in shifting our everyday experience, even though it’s not always easy to do.
3. Take one bold step. What’s one change that excites you, even if it feels slightly scary? Maybe it’s signing up for a class, reconnecting with an old friend, or asking for more flexibility at work. Bold steps, no matter how small, are the first moves toward breaking free from the patterns that keep us stuck.
Start Today—Not “Someday”
Life doesn’t have to feel like a treadmill. Change starts with small, intentional actions. Which step will you take today?
