When I share my life and plans, people often respond with, “You’re living the life.” They usually follow this by sharing their own regrets, which makes me wonder: did someone tell them it’s too late to live differently?

We’re human—we have the power to create our own reality, but many of us seem unaware of it.

As I meet more people, I see how everyone is connected to certain beliefs. We often set our own limits and use responsibilities as reasons to conform to others’ expectations. These beliefs are usually ingrained in us as children.

I learned these are called core beliefs—ideas we absorb as children that shape how we see ourselves and the world as adults. Depending on the belief, they can either empower us or, from my experience, hold us back. For example, if your parents constantly tell you that you’re capable of achieving your dreams, you’ll likely grow up with the confidence to aim high. On the other hand, I often heard from my mom, “I know what’s best for you”—said with good intentions, but it led me to feel that I couldn’t trust my own decisions. Now, as an adult, I sometimes struggle to make choices independently. As kids, we absorb what our parents tell us as facts, but that doesn’t mean it’s always true.

Consider the school system, where children learn not just facts but often the same beliefs from teachers, shaping them in similar ways. How does this affect society when so many people grow up with the same limitations? I see people daily on horse tours in Iceland, many of whom are here on their one or two-week holiday, sticking to the norms because “that’s just how it is.”

I understand where this comes from. I grew up with a lot of limiting beliefs and felt stuck in life for a long time. No, I haven’t shed all those beliefs yet—I still struggle, and I’m still growing.

Take this past year, January 2024. I made the mistake of traveling to a job in Ireland that I knew probably wasn’t right for me, but I went anyway (for the money). I left after just one night due to the nightmare housing situation. At that moment, my dad’s core belief seemed to ring true: “Studying for a degree is an investment in your future, securing you a good job, a beautiful house, and a comfortable life.” And yes, a degree can be valuable, but many people succeed without it. I tried studying, but after two miserable, stressful months, I quit. It felt like a failure at first, but looking back, I realize I should never stay somewhere I don’t belong.

Afterward, I needed time to process. This year has been chaotic. Eventually, I created my own belief: keep trying, give it your best, and don’t give up. Hard work may not pay off immediately, but I’ve come to trust that it will.

And that belief has brought me to where I am today.

The truth is, taking the first step towards a new life is scary, and people will always have opinions. But you are the main character of your life, and you can decide what you want, whenever you want. Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, ask yourself, “What if it works out exactly as I hoped?” Fear will always be there, but doesn’t it make the journey more exciting?

My advice: choose yourself. Embrace the discomfort of stepping outside your comfort zone, and let go of the beliefs that no longer serve you. Life is too short to live according to someone else’s script. Trust yourself, take risks, and follow the dreams that once lit up your inner child. Because at the end of the day, living for that child within—who once dreamed without limits—is the most powerful path to becoming who you’re meant to be.