I Didn’t Realize I needed a Side Quest

On a blissful Saturday in July, I walked the NYCRuns 5K Ice Cream Social in Brooklyn.

About four thousand people showed up. Some were chasing personal records. Some ran with friends. I walked, laughed, met people I’d never seen before, and happily accepted the ice cream at the end. It was one of those mornings that leaves you thinking, “I should do more things like this.”

The funny part is that I almost didn’t sign up.

A few weeks ago, my friend What She Carries | Joya Dass mentioned Sahil Bloom’s idea of a physical side quest. Around the same time, a coworker and I were talking about goals and how easy it is to overcomplicate them. Meanwhile, my trainer had been structuring my workouts to steadily increase my endurance, whether I thought I was ready or not. On Saturday morning, my husband stood there cheering as I crossed the starting line. Then he was waiting again at the finish. (I love me some him)

Looking back, I can see all these little threads weaving together.

No one person changed my life.

Each person nudged me a little.

As a writer, I spend an embarrassing amount of time thinking about why lives change. We like stories with one dramatic turning point. One speech. One kiss. One catastrophe.

Real life isn’t usually like that.

It’s more like someone mentions an idea over coffee. Someone else challenges you. Another person believes you can do more than you think. Then one Saturday morning you find yourself walking through Brooklyn with four thousand strangers, wondering why you waited so long.

That feels much closer to Beyond First Glance than I expected.

Most of the stories in that collection aren’t about lightning bolts. They’re about ordinary moments that don’t seem important until much later. A conversation. A decision. A second chance. The kind of moments we overlook at first glance.

Maybe that’s why this weekend has stayed with me.

Not because I completed a 5K. Because it reminded me that our lives are often redirected by surprisingly small invitations.

I’d love to know yours. Has anyone ever casually suggested something that ended up changing your life far more than either of you expected?

Àṣẹ

Scarlet

p.s. I have not signed up for the next 5K yet—but I’m giving it serious consideration.

My trainer gifted me this book, and I must say, it went a long way to helping me to change my mind about exercise. If you struggle and want to make a change, read it here on Kindle Unlimited:

Just a heads up—this post contains an Amazon affiliate link, which means I might earn a tiny commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). It’s like buying me a virtual coffee while you shop! ☕️ Thanks for the support!

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