What Are You Really Waiting For? Rethinking the Life You Want to LiveWhat Are You Really Waiting For? Rethinking the Life You Want to Live
Encouragementology
Kendell Boysen reflects on why people postpone happiness until "someday" and questions whether long-held dreams still fit who they are now. The episode focuses on rethinking expectations, finding meaning in everyday life and giving yourself permission to change your mind about what fulfilment looks like.
30:00•30 Oct 2026
Stop Waiting for Someday: Rethinking the Life You Want Right Now
Episode Overview
- Question conditional beliefs such as "I'll be happy when" and notice how finish lines keep shifting.
- Revisit your someday list and update it to match who you are now, not who you were years ago.
- Clarify the real experience you’re seeking behind a goal, as it may be more accessible than you think.
- Bring small pieces of your future dreams into the present instead of waiting for a perfect season.
- Accept that ordinary days can hold deep fulfilment and your life doesn’t need to match an old picture.
“You don't owe your younger self the exact future they imagined.”
Professional life and recovery coach Kendell Boysen gently challenges that mindset and asks a bold question: "What are you really waiting for?" Kendell shares her own long-held dream of travelling more and then admits she recently caught herself wondering, "Why do I want to travel?" That simple question opens up a bigger conversation about conditional happiness – the idea that "I'll be happier when I have more time" or "I'll finally relax when I get through this busy season." She points out how those finish lines keep moving, leaving people stuck in permanent anticipation.
What drives someone to seek a life without waiting for “someday”? This episode of Encouragementology zooms in on that quiet habit many people have: postponing happiness until the calendar clears, the money appears, or the responsibilities finally ease. You’ll hear her weave in research from psychologists like Daniel Gilbert on how people overestimate the emotional impact of future events, and the hedonic treadmill idea from Brickman and Campbell, showing how excitement fades as new circumstances become the new normal.
Author Oliver Burkman’s view on limited time adds another layer, highlighting the need to choose what really matters instead of trying to cram life full of impressive experiences. Kendell invites you to test your own "someday list": if all obstacles vanished tomorrow, would you still choose that dream? Would it matter if no one else ever knew about it?
She contrasts big adventures with everyday joys like morning coffee or easy conversation, asking whether people chase stories that sound good rather than experiences that feel good. By the end, she encourages a refresh: update old dreams, get curious about what you’re truly seeking, and bring pieces of anticipated freedom into your present. The final challenge is clear: don’t wait passively for the perfect life—start shaping a meaningful one with who you are today.
So, what are you really waiting for?
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