That little flutter in your stomach right before you try something new? That’s the call to adventure. Life is full of journeys big and small and sometimes we just need a little nudge or a fresh perspective to embrace them.
We all face detours and bumps in the road. I know I have. And here at GoodExistence.com our founder Stephen Montagne often shares his own winding path. He navigated away from gaming binges binge eating and other habits that held him back. He lost over 110 pounds not by some magic fix but by embracing a journey of small changes and consistent effort. He found that building a productive routine didn’t mean endless hours of work but focused bursts of deep work. His journey also led him to a stronger Christian Orthodox faith a deep source of purpose.
Journeys shape us. They teach us. They lead us to who we are meant to be. So let’s explore some timeless wisdom. Here are 25 quotes about journeys and adventures to inspire you wherever you are on your path.
The Courage to Start
Embarking on anything new takes guts. That first step often feels like the biggest leap.
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"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." – Lao Tzu
This is a classic for a reason. Overwhelm is real. When Stephen decided to lose weight the thought of 110 pounds felt impossible. But focusing on the first pound the first healthy meal the first walk around the block made it manageable. What’s your "first step" today? -
"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want." – Ben Stein
Clarity is power. You can’t start a journey without knowing at least a general direction. Take a moment. What do you truly want to change or achieve? -
"Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect." – Alan Cohen
If we wait for perfect we wait forever. Starting creates momentum. Stephen didn’t have the perfect gym setup or all the answers when he began his health journey. He just started. -
"You don’t have to be great to start but you have to start to be great." – Zig Ziglar
Permission to be a beginner. Everyone starts somewhere. Allow yourself to learn and grow. -
"The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all." – Josiyah Martin
There's an undeniable energy when you commit to something new. Tap into that excitement.
Embracing the Twists and Turns
No journey is a straight line. Expect challenges. They are part of the adventure.
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"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end." – Ursula K. Le Guin (often misattributed to Ernest Hemingway)
While goals are important the person you become along the way is the real prize. The daily habits Stephen built were more valuable than just the number on the scale. -
"Not all those who wander are lost." – J.R.R. Tolkien
Sometimes detours lead to unexpected discoveries. Don’t be afraid to explore paths you didn’t initially plan. -
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." – Helen Keller
This is a powerful reminder to choose courage. Even small daily choices can add up to a life of adventure. -
"Adventure is worthwhile in itself." – Amelia Earhart
The experience itself holds value. Every attempt every effort teaches you something. -
"Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations." – Unknown
The challenges we overcome often forge our greatest strengths and lead to our most rewarding outcomes. Stephen’s journey to overcome unhealthy habits was tough but it led him to a life of greater purpose and well-being.
Learning and Growing on the Way
Every experience on your journey is a lesson in disguise.
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"The only impossible journey is the one you never begin." – Tony Robbins
Fear of failure can be paralyzing. But not trying is the only true failure. -
"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind." – Seneca
Whether it’s a physical trip or a new project changing your environment or routine can spark fresh ideas and energy. -
"I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world." – Mary Anne Radmacher
Journeys change your perspective. They broaden your understanding of yourself and the world. -
"Every exit is an entry somewhere else." – Tom Stoppard
When one chapter closes another begins. This can be true for habits relationships or life phases. -
"The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday." – Steve Maraboli
Holding onto past mistakes or regrets weighs you down. Each day is a fresh start. Stephen practices daily gratitude which helps him focus on the present and let go of what’s behind.
The Adventure Within
Some of the greatest adventures are the ones that happen inside us.
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"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." – Oprah Winfrey
Designing and living a life aligned with your values and dreams is a profound journey. -
"To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries." – Aldous Huxley
And sometimes to travel within is to discover everyone (including yourself) was wrong about your own limits. -
"Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else." – Lawrence Block
This applies to life too. Be open to serendipity. Stephen’s journey with faith deepened unexpectedly as he sought a healthier lifestyle. It became a cornerstone he wasn't initially looking for in that specific way. -
"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." – George A. Moore
Often what we seek externally—peace fulfillment purpose—can be found within or in appreciating what we already have. -
"The journey not the arrival matters." – T.S. Eliot
Focus on the process. Enjoy the small wins. Stephen learned this through his weight loss and building productive routines. Celebrating small daily achievements made the long journey sustainable and enjoyable.
Finding Meaning and Purpose
Ultimately our journeys are about discovering who we are and what truly matters.
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"Life is a journey to be experienced not a problem to be solved." – Winnie the Pooh
A gentle reminder to embrace the experience rather than getting bogged down in fixing everything. -
"One’s destination is never a place but a new way of seeing things." – Henry Miller
The ultimate transformation is often a shift in perspective. -
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful we must carry it with us or we find it not." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Beauty and joy start from within. Cultivate an inner sense of wonder and gratitude. -
"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." – Saint Augustine
Experience life fully. Explore new ideas new places new parts of yourself. -
"Remember that happiness is a way of travel – not a destination." – Roy M. Goodman
Find joy in the present moment in the effort in the learning. Happiness isn’t a place you arrive at; it’s how you walk the path.
These quotes remind us that every day is an invitation to a journey. Whether you’re trying to build a new habit overcome a challenge or simply find more joy in your daily life remember that the path itself is rich with lessons and growth.
Stephen’s journey from unhealthy habits to a balanced life full of purpose and faith wasn't about grand gestures. It was about taking that first step then another and another. It was about embracing the process celebrating small victories and finding strength in his faith along the way.
So what journey are you on right now? And more importantly what’s one small step you can take today to move forward with a little more courage and curiosity?
