A snail making its slow and steady journey across a moss-covered rock, symbolizing the power of questioning and finding your own path.
Challenging the Lie of
That’s Just How Things Are
Too often, we accept things as they are without question. But when we start to challenge the idea that life has to be a certain way, we open up a world of possibilities and begin to create a life that’s true to who we really are.
About The Visual Intervention
Received the Visual Intervention in 2017 – Appalachian Trail.
The Lie of “That’s Just How Things Are”
How often do we catch ourselves saying, “Well, that’s just how things are”? It’s a phrase that slips out without much thought, a way to shrug off the little frustrations or bigger challenges we face. It’s as if we’re giving ourselves permission to accept things the way they are, without questioning whether they should be that way in the first place.
Growing up, I often heard this phrase used to explain why certain things couldn’t be changed. It was the go-to explanation for everything from mundane household rules to the larger, more complex issues in life. At some point, it started to feel like a wall—something I couldn’t climb over or see beyond. But as I got older, I began to wonder: Why are things this way? And more importantly, do they have to be?
We live by ideas that have been passed down to us, sometimes without ever questioning them. These ideas shape how we see the world and dictate how we should live our lives—how we should behave, what we should value, and even how we should dream. But what happens when those ideas don’t quite fit? What happens when the path they outline doesn’t feel like ours?
I’ve always been someone who saw the world a little differently. Maybe you do too. There’s something in us that doesn’t quite sit right with the idea of “that’s just how things are.” We have a natural tendency to question, to push against the boundaries, to seek out our own way of doing things. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s more than okay—it’s necessary.
When I started to challenge the idea that things had to be a certain way, I began to see possibilities where there once were none. I realized that many of the rules and expectations I’d been living by weren’t set in stone—they were simply ideas that had never been questioned. And once I started questioning them, I found a freedom I hadn’t known before.
Living an un-average life means refusing to accept the blueprint that’s been handed to us without examining whether it truly fits who we are. It means being brave enough to question, to explore, and to create our own path. Yes, it can be uncomfortable at times. It can feel like we’re going against the grain, and sometimes that means facing resistance—from others and even from ourselves. But it’s in this discomfort that we grow, that we learn, and that we find our true selves.
Visual Intervention
Look at the top photograph. What do you see? A snail, slowly making its way across a rough, moss-covered rock. At first glance, it might seem like a simple, unremarkable image. But if you look closer, you’ll see that this photograph is a powerful metaphor for challenging the lie of “that’s just how things are.”
The snail, moving at its own pace, symbolizes the journey of questioning and self-discovery. It doesn’t rush; it doesn’t try to match the speed of the world around it. Instead, it moves steadily, deliberately, following its own path. Others might often values speed and efficiency, the snail reminds us that it’s okay to take our time, to move at our own pace, and to carve out our own way.
The rough, mossy surface of the rock represents the ideas and beliefs that have been passed down to us—the ones we’re told to accept without question. It’s solid, unyielding, much like the expectations that society places on us. But just as the snail finds its way across this challenging surface, we too can navigate through the ideas and beliefs that don’t serve us. We can question them, challenge them, and find our own path, even when the terrain is difficult.
The texture and detail in the photograph highlight the complexity of the beliefs we hold. They’re not always easy to navigate, and they can be deeply ingrained in our minds. But like the snail, we can move through them, choosing our own direction and pace.
This image reminds me of my own journey—slow at times, filled with questions, challenges, and moments of uncertainty. But it’s also been a journey of growth and discovery. The snail’s slow, steady movement is a powerful reminder that it’s okay to take our time, to question the status quo, and to live a life that’s true to who we are.
As you look at this image, I invite you to reflect on your own journey. How often do you accept the lie that “that’s just how things are”? Are you willing to question, to challenge, and to forge your own path? Remember, it’s okay to be un-average. It’s okay to take your time, to move at your own pace, and to create a life that reflects your true self. The journey may be slow, but it’s one that leads to a life of authenticity, purpose, and fulfillment.
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