“To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life.” – Life’s Motto, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
One of my all-time favorite movies is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
I first saw it with my mom during a break between hockey games at the Polar Bear Invitational in Connecticut. I don’t remember much about the tournament, but I’ll never forget that movie.
It left me in awe. I saw myself in Walter—the quiet kid who dreamed of a bigger life. I imagined myself traveling the world, chasing adventure, and doing something extraordinary. But at the time, it felt far away. I was still waiting for my moment to leap.
And then I did.
Taking the First Leap
Six years ago, I packed a bag, grabbed my camera, and boarded a plane. Like Walter, I didn’t know where the journey would take me, but I knew I couldn’t sit still any longer. I had to see what was out there.
That first leap into the unknown changed everything.
Since then, I’ve traveled to 55 countries. I’ve road-tripped through the landscapes of New Zealand, downhill biked in the mountains of Peru, and shared meals with strangers who became lifelong friends.
It hasn’t always been easy. There were moments of doubt, loneliness, and fear. But every step—every challenge—brought me closer to the life I’d been imagining. Like Walter, I learned that the life you dream of doesn’t come to you—you have to go after it.
Why Walter’s Story Resonates
What I love most about Walter Mitty’s story is that it’s universal. We all know what it’s like to dream of a life that feels bigger, bolder, and truer to who we are.
Walter reminds us:
- The life you want won’t come to you—you have to create it. Waiting keeps you stuck. Action moves you forward.
- The first step feels the hardest. But once you take it, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.
- Fear is part of the journey. The unknown will always feel uncomfortable, but growth happens when you embrace it.
Walter didn’t know where his journey would lead. He just knew he couldn’t stay where he was. And that’s how I felt when I packed that bag six years ago. I wasn’t sure what lay ahead, but I knew the life I imagined wouldn’t happen unless I made the leap.
For me, travel became the way I stepped outside the small, safe world I knew and into something unknown. For you, it might look completely different. It might mean starting a business, moving to a new city, picking up a creative project, or finally saying yes to an idea you’ve been holding onto for years.
Whatever it is, the life you imagine is possible. But it starts with the first step.
The Leap Is Worth It
Walter didn’t know where his journey would take him. Neither did I. But that’s what makes it so powerful: the unknown is where life happens.
If you’re standing on the edge of something new, I hope you go for it. Take a small step—any step—toward the life you’ve been dreaming about.
Here’s to living boldly. Here’s to taking the leap.
