The Hidden Tragedy Of Saving Your Dreams For 'Someday'

Your mind and body will never be younger than they are today...

Jo Barnes

Apr 17, 2025

Do you remember the opening scene of the animated movie Up?

If so you’ll know it’s the one that turns us all into emotional puddles before the movie has even properly started.

(Spoiler Alert)

Carl and Ellie have big dreams of travelling the world together, adventuring to Paradise Falls.

They start saving when they’re young, but life keeps getting in the way—flat tyres, broken appliances, unexpected bills. They keep putting their dream off for 'one day.'

But one day never comes. Ellie gets sick and passes away, leaving Carl alone with nothing but their unfulfilled plans.

They waited too long.

(The good news is that Carl embarks on a life changing journey and the rest of the movie is upbeat and funny—well worth a watch even without any kids around 😉)

But that opening scene wrecks me every time. Not only because I am a bit of an emotional fruitcake, but also because it's not just a story.

For many, it's a mirror.

Our 15-Year Journey to Freedom

In 2010, my partner (now husband) and I packed up our lives and set off with our four-year-old daughter and a crazy dream to explore the world, build businesses on the go, and never settle for anything less than a life fully lived.

And we did it.

Over the past 15 years, we’ve travelled to more than 45 countries, lived in sun-drenched corners of the globe, run businesses from beach bars and balcony desks, and taken countless trips that have broadened my mind and ignited my desire to see so much more of the world!

Thailand became our home base for over a decade, not because we were “waiting,” but because we chose a lifestyle that gave our daughter both roots and wings.

We adventured during school breaks, juggled visas and time zones, and carved out freedom wherever we could.

Sure, I’ve had plenty of moments of itchy feet. Especially in this final stretch as we’ve anchored in Brisbane so she can save for college. But I wouldn’t change it. Parenting is a short season, and I’ve lived it alongside the best parts of nomadic life.

Now, as she prepares to spread her wings, we’re gearing up for our full time nomadic adventure. And while my body’s not quite the same as it was back in 2010 (hello, knee osteoarthritis), my spirit is just as ready.

As yet I’ve never waited for permission to live fully, and I don’t intend to start now.

But not everyone takes that leap.

And not everyone realises they’re waiting… until it’s too late.

How Many of Us Are Living Like Carl & Ellie?

We tell ourselves we'll start one day—when we have more time, more money, when the kids are grown, when we retire. But the truth is there is no perfect moment.

Life will always throw something in the way.

The real tragedy isn't the obstacles, it's that we believe them. That we keep waiting, assuming we have time, when in reality, we're letting it slip away.

I've met so many people who have said, "I wish I could do what you do, but I have responsibilities." Or, "I'll start travelling once I retire." Or, "I just need to save a little more."

And then? Life happens.

They get stuck in a job they hate for another decade. They have a health scare. Their priorities shift. Suddenly, the dream they had isn't just on hold—it's no longer possible.

Years ago I remember reading about a couple who always wanted to travel after retirement. They planned for years, but much like the story I opened with, when the moment finally came, within month the husband was diagnosed with an illness that made long-term travel impossible. (True story)

They had the money. They had the time. But they waited too long. And now, their dream was out of reach.

We all assume we have time. But we don't know how much.

The Myth of 'One Day'

Have you ever thought about how much of life is spent waiting?

Waiting for the weekend.
Waiting for the next holiday.
Waiting for a promotion, a raise, or 'enough' money.
Waiting for the kids to grow up.
Waiting to feel 'ready.'
Waiting until everything is perfect.

But what if one day never comes?

What if you wake up and realise you've spent more time preparing for life than actually living it?

I don't say this to be morbid—I say it because we need to wake up!

We need to stop waiting for permission to live the life we want, because no one is coming to give it to us.

The Hard Truth: No One is Going to Give You Permission

Society conditions us to wait and follow the script. To be 'responsible' first, and chase joy second—if there's time left over.

But when you look at people who have built extraordinary lives, you'll notice that they didn't ask for permission, and they didn't wait until everything was perfect.

They started where they were, with what they had.

And you can too.

Finding Balance When Life Gets in the Way

I'm a huge advocate for technology, science, and longevity. I genuinely hope to live to 120+ with quality of life. But I also acknowledge we're right at the start of these technologies, and biological decline is currently a natural part of ageing.

My knee osteoarthritis is a daily reminder that waiting comes with a cost.

But it hasn't stopped me. It's just changed how I approach things. I might not be scaling Kilimanjaro anytime soon, but I can still Jet-ski around Caribbean islands, float through Venetian canals, or hike to hilltop villages with a gelato in hand.

I might need to take more rest days between adventures, but that just means I'll see places more deeply rather than racing through them.

The body you have right now is the youngest it will ever be.

That's both a sobering thought and an incredible motivator.

What Are You Waiting For?

Ask yourself:

If no one—not society, not my family, not even my own fears—could hold me back, what would I do right now?

What's one small step I could take toward that dream instead of waiting for 'someday'?

It doesn't have to be drastic. You don't have to sell everything and move to Bali overnight. But you can take a step.

Book the ticket.
Sign up for the course.
Start the blog.

Save for the adventure if you need to, but set a deadline, so it doesn't become another 'one day'.

If you have family obligations like we did, find ways to incorporate elements of your dream into your current reality.

Take shorter trips. Explore locally. Connect with communities that share your passions.

As Jeff Bezos once said:

“I knew that if I failed I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.”

The saddest story isn't the one where you fail, it's the one where you never even try.

Don't Let Your Life Become an Up Montage

The first ten minutes of Up makes us cry because we know, deep down, that Carl and Ellie's story is sometimes our story too.

It's the story of everyone who allows dreams to slip through their fingers while waiting for the 'right time.'

The good news, if you’re reading this, is that you’re very likely nowhere near the end of your story yet. You’re still in the middle of it, which means you still have time.

So what are you waiting for?

Start your adventure… now.

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