Expanding Your Tolerance for a Bigger, Bolder Life

Have you ever found yourself driving along the motorway, comfortably seated in your car at 70 miles an hour, and suddenly thought, “Isn’t this a bit crazy?” We’re zooming down the road in metal boxes, moving faster than our bodies could ever go on foot, surrounded by other people doing the exact same thing. Yet, for most of us, it feels perfectly normal. It’s a routine part of our lives that we don’t even question. But when you stop and really think about it, it’s kind of wild, right?

This got me thinking about the concept of tolerance — not just on the road, but in life in general. As I cruised along for four hours that day, I reflected on how we develop these thresholds of what we’re comfortable with, how certain things become normal simply because we’ve learned to accept them.

What is Your Tolerance Level?

Take driving, for instance. For some people, 70 miles an hour feels too fast; for others, it’s not fast enough. But regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, we all have a certain tolerance level that dictates what feels “normal” to us. And it’s not just about driving — the same thing happens with money, health, and even our mindset. Over time, we adjust our tolerance levels and grow comfortable with a certain status quo, whether it’s our financial limits, physical capabilities, or the way we think about our goals.

This idea of tolerance really hit home for me recently, especially when I started dreaming about owning a second home. To be honest, at first, the thought felt completely ludicrous. Who am I to have two homes? But when I mentioned it to a friend, her immediate reaction was to list all the reasons why it would be difficult. And that’s when I realized — her tolerance for the idea of owning a second home was much lower than mine. Her instinct was to focus on the problems, while I was beginning to imagine the possibilities.

Pushing Past the Limits We Set for Ourselves

In my work and personal life, I’ve noticed how we often stop ourselves from dreaming big because we’ve hit the ceiling of what we think is possible. Whether it’s financial stress, time limitations, or fear of the unknown, we let our tolerance levels dictate the scope of our dreams. But what if we could expand those limits?

I’ve recently adopted a new way of thinking that challenges these boundaries. Instead of focusing on potential problems, I’ve started asking, “How can I make this happen? What steps can I take to stretch my comfort zone just a little bit more?” This doesn’t mean being reckless — it’s about nudging the boundaries of what feels possible, bit by bit.

And it’s not just about owning a second home. This shift in mindset applies to every aspect of life. Whether it’s taking more time off, raising money for charity, or spending a month in Bali with my kids, I’m choosing to think bigger. I’m starting to declare my goals as things that will happen, not things I’d like to happen. The moment I started doing this, I noticed something incredible: not only did these goals feel more attainable, but the timeline for achieving them began to shrink. Suddenly, five years felt like too long to wait.

Embracing Abundance and Letting Go of Limits

One of the most liberating lessons I’ve learned is that the limits we experience in life are often self-imposed. When we break free from the constraints we’ve placed on ourselves — whether they involve money, time, or even self-belief — it opens up a world of possibilities. It’s about shifting our mindset from scarcity to abundance, and realizing that we can create the life we want if we allow ourselves to stretch just a little further beyond what feels comfortable.

This week, I invite you to think about the limits you’ve set for yourself. Where in your life have you accepted the status quo as the norm? And how can you expand your tolerance level, even just a little bit, to push toward something bigger?

Maybe it’s saving up more than you think is possible. Maybe it’s walking just a little bit further than you thought you could. Or maybe it’s daring to dream of something so audacious that it feels ridiculous. Whatever it is, allow yourself to feel a little uncomfortable as you expand your tolerance level and embrace the possibility of more.

Dream Big, Act Bold

I’ve started talking about my future as if it’s already happening. Instead of saying, “I’d love to do that one day,” I now say, “I am going to do this.” I am going to take my kids to Mindvalley University. I am going to invest in a second home. I am going to raise significant funds for charity. It might not happen overnight, but I’m no longer putting a time limit on my dreams. And you know what? That feels really exciting.

So, as we head into the coming months and start planning for the next year, I’m not just setting goals — I’m designing my life. And I encourage you to do the same. Lift the lid off your limits, push your tolerance levels, and start declaring the life you want, as if it’s already on its way to you.

You never know — your future might just arrive sooner than you think.

 

You can watch or listen here

Have you been feeling uninspired recently??  

We have a FREE 7 days of inspiration guide to help you start being creative again if you want a copy, click here:

Never miss a vlogcast episode again:

  • YouTube: Watch the video above and subscribe to the United ArtSpace channel.
  • Podcast: Click on the audio above to follow or share. You can also search for United Artspace wherever you listen to your podcasts.
  • Email: Sign up to our mailing list here and receive links to our latest episode.

Have a great week & take care,

Michelle xo