Navigating Life’s Road of Trials: Lessons from Everyday Adventures
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a struggle and thought, “This must be it. This is the big one”? Only to find out later it was just the prelude to a much bigger challenge? That’s the Road of Trials for you—the part of the Hero’s Journey where the protagonist faces obstacle after obstacle, learning and growing along the way.
The Road of Trials might sound like something straight out of an epic fantasy novel, but in reality, it’s just as relevant to our everyday lives. It’s not always a dragon guarding a treasure or a dark forest with no clear path. Sometimes, it’s just trying to crochet a tiny teddy bear that doesn’t look like a mangled mess—or finding all the pieces to your LEGO masterpiece. (Yes, I’m looking at you, random blue brick hiding under the couch.)
The concept of the Road of Trials is deceptively simple: it’s the series of challenges we face on the way to becoming the person we need to be for the “final showdown.” But let’s be real—it rarely feels that neat in practice.
When we talked about this as a family, Ava and Andrew had some fantastic insights. Ava pointed out that the Road of Trials often feels like preparation—it’s intentional training for the big challenge ahead. Andrew countered that it’s not always planned. Sometimes, the challenges sneak up on you like a surprise mini-boss battle in a video game. You might think you’re ready for what’s ahead, only to find yourself scrambling to figure out what’s next.
Andrew shared a similar story about building a massive LEGO vehicle. Gathering the right pieces and figuring out the design wasn’t easy. It felt chaotic and frustrating at times. But by sticking with it, he created something incredible—a testament to perseverance and creativity.
Whatever your Road of Trials looks like, know that you’re not alone. The struggle is real, but so is the growth. Keep going. You’re closer than you think to becoming the hero of your own story.
The Road of Trials might sound like something straight out of an epic fantasy novel, but in reality, it’s just as relevant to our everyday lives. It’s not always a dragon guarding a treasure or a dark forest with no clear path. Sometimes, it’s just trying to crochet a tiny teddy bear that doesn’t look like a mangled mess—or finding all the pieces to your LEGO masterpiece. (Yes, I’m looking at you, random blue brick hiding under the couch.)
The concept of the Road of Trials is deceptively simple: it’s the series of challenges we face on the way to becoming the person we need to be for the “final showdown.” But let’s be real—it rarely feels that neat in practice.
The Road of Trials Is Not a Montage
In movies, this phase of the story gets a tidy montage set to upbeat music: the hero trains, fails, tries again, and eventually masters their skills. But in real life? It’s more like a series of frustrating moments strung together, sometimes with no clear end in sight.When we talked about this as a family, Ava and Andrew had some fantastic insights. Ava pointed out that the Road of Trials often feels like preparation—it’s intentional training for the big challenge ahead. Andrew countered that it’s not always planned. Sometimes, the challenges sneak up on you like a surprise mini-boss battle in a video game. You might think you’re ready for what’s ahead, only to find yourself scrambling to figure out what’s next.
How Do You Know You’re in It?
One of the trickiest parts about the Road of Trials can be recognizing when you’re in it in the first place. Sure, some challenges announce themselves with flashing lights and ominous music (hello, buying a house). But others are subtler, like the daily grind of working on a long-term goal. You might not realize you’re on this road until you’ve reached the other side and can look back at all the series of obstacles you’ve overcome.Lessons from Teddy Bears and LEGOs
Take Ava’s crochet adventure, for example. Her first attempt—a tiny teddy bear—did not turn out as planned. Its legs were wonky, its head slightly lopsided. But instead of giving up, she took what she learned from that challenge and applied it to her next project: a crocheted Kirby holding a star. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better. That’s the essence of the Road of Trials—each setback is a step toward improvement.Andrew shared a similar story about building a massive LEGO vehicle. Gathering the right pieces and figuring out the design wasn’t easy. It felt chaotic and frustrating at times. But by sticking with it, he created something incredible—a testament to perseverance and creativity.
Embracing the Struggle
The Road of Trials rarely, if ever, feels good. It’s uncomfortable, messy, and often leaves you questioning why you’re even bothering at all. But as Ava wisely pointed out, if you wait to feel “ready,” you might be waiting forever. The truth is, you’ll never feel completely prepared for what’s ahead. The key is to move forward anyway, trusting that the challenges you face will prepare you in ways you can’t yet see.Tips for Navigating Your Road of Trials
If you’re smack-dab in the middle of your own Road of Trials, here are a few things to keep in mind:- Reframe the Struggle: Imagine you’re the star of your own movie montage. What skills are you honing through this challenge? What growth is happening behind the scenes?
- Keep the End Goal in Mind: When the going gets tough, remind yourself why you started. Visualize the reward waiting at the end of your journey.
- Focus on the Next Step: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the big picture. Break your Road of Trials into smaller, manageable steps, and tackle them one at a time.
- Have Faith in the Process: You might not see the purpose of your struggles now, but trust that they’re shaping you for what’s to come.
A Challenge for You
If you’re resisting a challenge right now, take a moment to ask yourself: Is this my Road of Trials? What would it look like to lean in instead of pulling back? And if you’re already in the thick of it, try reframing your perspective. Imagine what this struggle could be preparing you for. Could it be part of your epic Hero’s Journey?Whatever your Road of Trials looks like, know that you’re not alone. The struggle is real, but so is the growth. Keep going. You’re closer than you think to becoming the hero of your own story.
Related to this Episode
- #Hero'sJourney Collection - Explore how the timeless Hero's Journey narrative serves as the scaffolding for the stories we craft, share, and live—both with others and within ourselves.
- What Makes a Hero? - TED Ed video - Matthew Winkler - Andrew insisted that I post a link ;-)
- Check out the fun Hero's Journey Merch at www.SecretHeroProject.com
- #HeroToolshed Collection - Take a peek at some of the key tools our Heroes use everyday to level up their skills and mindset.
- Meet Teddy and Kirby ;-)
Our Podcast
There's more where that came from :-) Check out other Noodles in the Sandbox episodes wherever you get your podcasts!
About the Author
Angela is passionate about reshaping the way kids learn and grow. As the co-founder of Acton Academy Northwest Austin,
Angela is dedicated to fostering a learner-driven environment where
curiosity thrives and students take ownership of their educational
journeys. When not working with young heroes, they’re often exploring
big ideas on education, parenting, and lifelong learning right here on
the blog.
Want to learn more about our innovative approach to education? Check out Acton Academy Northwest Austin to see how we’re redefining school for the next generation of curious thinkers and independent learners.