7 Reasons to Take the Road Less Traveled

Going against the grain isn’t always easy, but it’s usually worth it.

We’re encouraged to follow our dreams, but not all dreams are created equal. Sometimes living the life we want to live means making choices that go against the expectations of our families, communities, or cultures—and facing stigma, isolation, and uncertainty as a result. But taking the road less traveled has many advantages. Here are seven of them.

1. Less fear of failure. While nothing in life is risk-free, some paths have clearer roadmaps than others. Carving a new path tends to involve a lot of trial and error, which can also mean a greater potential for failure. But experiencing failure more often can help us change our relationship to it, viewing it as a learning opportunity rather than a diagnosis of our ability. This growth mindset can, in turn, make success more likely.

2. Thicker skin. Facing judgment and disapproval for our choices can be painful. But over time it becomes clear that others’ judgment often has more to do with their own fears and insecurities than our shortcomings. They might feel betrayed, confused, or even envious. Seeing things from this angle can help us take hurtful comments less personally and increase our empathy.

3. More tolerance of differences. There are certainly times when the road less traveled is an insular one that promotes a sense of superiority and intolerance. But more often than not, those who have gone against the grain recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to happiness and there are many different ways to lead a fulfilling and moral life.

4. Unexpected community. Taking a different path than the majority of one’s peers can be lonely at times, but it can also open up new possibilities for connection. For example, even though writer Cheryl Strayed set out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail on her own, as documented in her memoir, Wild, she found community with other hikers and with the wilderness itself, saying, “the wilderness had a clarity that included me.”

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