There are times I have had great adventures in my life – moving across the country and the world to places where I did not know a soul and developing friendships that have lasted a lifetime, agreeing to go on weekend jaunts at a moment’s notice, and diving into untested waters innumerable times. Then there are times where I’ve become complacent, maintaining the status quo and doing the same thing day in and day out due to adult responsibility, lack of imagination, and yes, I’ll admit, fear. We can’t always just pick up and move or switch jobs, and ignoring the responsibilities of life isn’t the wisest thing to do. However, without adventure, we become stagnant and do not grow. Below is a list of 25 ways to actively create adventure in your life.
1. Identify what adventure is
Adventure is stepping into the unknown and trying something that may at first cause us a bit of fear or discomfort. It’s risk taking. It’s also exciting. Imagine being an astronaut on a rocket to the moon. Although this is an exciting trek into the unknown, it also probably evoked some fear into those who have had the opportunity to do it. It's not an adventure if it's safe. Although most people are never going to travel to the moon, we can all seek out situations that are out of our comfort zones and try something different. It doesn't have to be dangerous. It may be taking a painting class if you’ve always wanted to paint but were afraid you’d fail, going on a white water rafting trip, or flying on a plane for the first time.
2. Change up your routine
If your life is like the movie Groundhog Day, where the main character relives the same day repeatedly, mix things up. Take a different route to work, go to lunch with new people people to restaurants you’ve never tried before, shop at a variety of stores, join a new gym or take a class after work. The whole point is to try something you’ve never experienced before.
3. Push your comfort zone
Have you ever taken a karate class, gone rock climbing, or served a meal at a homeless shelter? Maybe these don’t interest you or you have a mindset that isn’t something you should do. Make a list of ten activities your friends participate in you’ve never tried. Stop and do this now. Look at the list and pick one thing you’d be willing to give a try and then do it at least once. Try it; you might like it.
4. Reconnect with your inner child
Remember when you were a kid and it was fun to try new things? What did you enjoy doing as a child you no longer do? Ride a bike? Dance? Create art? Do these things again. Do not be afraid of looking foolish. If you have children in your life, copy them. Often I’ll copy the activities of my daughter, like sledding, jumping in a pile of snow, or swinging on a tire. We lose the art of enjoying the simple pleasures as we age. Let go of the rigidness of adulthood and enjoy some plain fun.
5. Learn a new sport or take a class
Most recreational centers have classes or adult sports leagues. Sign up for one you’ve never tried before, such as scuba diving, paddle boarding, or golfing. Go to a local community college and take a course or sign up for a class at a specialty school, such as a cooking institute or art center.
6. Explore
Pick a part of town you’ve never visited, walk the streets, go to the park, shop the boutiques, and try the restaurants. When my family goes on interstate road trips we often try not to eat at any fast food restaurants. We pack a picnic lunch and then find parks where we eat our meals. This does take more time than going though the drive through, as we may have to travel a few miles off the highway to find the town park, but it is much more enjoyable and we get to see the true communities along they way, rather than the exterior of cookie cutter restaurants.
7. Move to a new town
While there are certain times in life than others when this is easier, there’s nothing more adventurous than moving to a new community.
8. Switch careers
If you are in a rut, switching careers or companies is also a huge adventure. If you aren’t registered already on LinkedIn, create an account. The website will consistently send you openings in your area that match your qualifications. Apply for some of the jobs and see what happens.
9. Make new friends
The best way to expand your world is by meeting new people. Join a social club, ask your neighbors over for dinner, or volunteer for organizations where you’ll meet like-minded people. Strike up a conversation with a stranger.
10. Get out of your house
Staying inside hidden in your home is one of the least adventurous things you can do. You have to go out into the world to expand your horizons.
11. Go on a weekend getaway
Draw a three-hour driving circle around your home on a map. Pick one spot you’ve never visited within the radius and plan a two-night trip.
12. Do something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t
Have you ever wanted to watch the ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve or ride in a hot air balloon? Then do it. The only one stopping you is you.
13. Exercise and eat well
You can do a lot more when you’re healthy and in shape. Done in the right mindset, exercise is pleasurable. Run in a blacklight run or in a half marathon, go on a bike ride, join a gym, or explore new walking trails. You’ll feel better after you do.
14. Pinpoint everything that makes you unhappy, and change these parts of your life
This may be one of the greatest and empowering adventures. If you hate your job, find another one or go back to school. Miserable in your relationship? Work on fixing it, go it alone, or find someone new. You, and only you, are responsible for your life. If fear is holding you back, you may want to reexamine if the unhappiness of staying where you are outweighs facing the fear to create a new life.
15. Embrace change, don’t fear it
Instead of looking at change as scary, get excited and completely embrace it. Remember the analogy of the astronauts? Just imagine how exciting it must have been for the first ones as they embarked on space exploration. Trying new things is fun. Don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back.
16. Associate with adventurous people
We all know them. They are the ones who have just come back from bike riding through Canada or climbing a mountain. They are the ones first in line to sign up for parasailing or to ride the roller coaster ride. Join them.
17. Go on a road trip – off the interstate
Find a state highway and travel it. Research the most popular activities and restaurants on websites like TripAdvisor and stop at them. Stay at a bed and breakfast. Bring a tent and pop it up at a campground. Or be like everyone else and stay at the chain on the interstate exit and spend your evening watching television - not.
18. Get off the beaten path
One of my favorite spots at a famous national park is about a ten-minute walk from a parking lot. I discovered it many years ago by accident. It’s not on the map and contains the same geographic features as those on the map. However, my spot never has any other people around whereas the ones on the map have hundreds, often thousands, of tourists. You’ll never know what you’ll find when you don’t follow the crowd and look for alternatives. Take that extra step others don’t take the time to do. Dare to be different.
19. Be spontaneous
If someone asks you to do something fun with little notice, do it. Don’t make an excuse. Go for it.
20. Recognize that when you are bored, you need more adventure
The only way to end the boredom is to take action.
21. Do something that just isn’t you.
Get a new haircut. Buy (and wear) an outfit that isn’t your usual style. If you’ve never been to the opera, go. Try water skiing. Join a book club. Go to a political event. Take an improv class. Build houses for the homeless. Start a foundation. Write a book. You get the idea. Try something new.
22. Go it alone
The greatest adventures are best done alone when you have no one to rely on, and they are often the biggest confidence builders. Don’t wait to take a yoga class because none of your friends wants to join with you. If you want to do it, go by yourself.
23. Plan a trip of a lifetime
Pick a place you’ve always wanted to visit but always thought it was out of your price range, like an African safari. Now, plan the trip. Figure out the airfare. Pick the hotels where you will stay and the sites you will visit. Price it out. Then open a savings account and save until you have enough to afford the trip and go.
24. Create a bucket list
Write down 100 things you want to do before you die. Then pick one of them and focus all your energies on making it happen. Don’t make excuses, just do it. Once you have completed your goal, pick another one and keep repeating.
25. Understand adventure is necessary for your development
When social media first came on the scene, I was shocked by how many of my former classmates were exactly in the same place they had been when we had left school. Yes, they were married, had jobs and were raising children, but all the friends in their pictures were the same friends from twenty years prior. The lived in the same place, vacationed in the same spots, and did basically everything the SAME. Then there were the ones who had gone for it. They had followed their dreams and gone on adventures. They had expanded their lives and found their true selves by taking risks. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s wonderful to maintain lifelong friendships and live near family and friends. However the ones who had pushed their boundaries lived more interesting lives than those who had not. Without some adventure, you'll never change.
Once you start living out of your comfort zone and removing your limits, you’ll find it easier to try more things and creating adventure will become second nature.
1. Identify what adventure is
Adventure is stepping into the unknown and trying something that may at first cause us a bit of fear or discomfort. It’s risk taking. It’s also exciting. Imagine being an astronaut on a rocket to the moon. Although this is an exciting trek into the unknown, it also probably evoked some fear into those who have had the opportunity to do it. It's not an adventure if it's safe. Although most people are never going to travel to the moon, we can all seek out situations that are out of our comfort zones and try something different. It doesn't have to be dangerous. It may be taking a painting class if you’ve always wanted to paint but were afraid you’d fail, going on a white water rafting trip, or flying on a plane for the first time.
2. Change up your routine
If your life is like the movie Groundhog Day, where the main character relives the same day repeatedly, mix things up. Take a different route to work, go to lunch with new people people to restaurants you’ve never tried before, shop at a variety of stores, join a new gym or take a class after work. The whole point is to try something you’ve never experienced before.
3. Push your comfort zone
Have you ever taken a karate class, gone rock climbing, or served a meal at a homeless shelter? Maybe these don’t interest you or you have a mindset that isn’t something you should do. Make a list of ten activities your friends participate in you’ve never tried. Stop and do this now. Look at the list and pick one thing you’d be willing to give a try and then do it at least once. Try it; you might like it.
4. Reconnect with your inner child
Remember when you were a kid and it was fun to try new things? What did you enjoy doing as a child you no longer do? Ride a bike? Dance? Create art? Do these things again. Do not be afraid of looking foolish. If you have children in your life, copy them. Often I’ll copy the activities of my daughter, like sledding, jumping in a pile of snow, or swinging on a tire. We lose the art of enjoying the simple pleasures as we age. Let go of the rigidness of adulthood and enjoy some plain fun.
5. Learn a new sport or take a class
Most recreational centers have classes or adult sports leagues. Sign up for one you’ve never tried before, such as scuba diving, paddle boarding, or golfing. Go to a local community college and take a course or sign up for a class at a specialty school, such as a cooking institute or art center.
6. Explore
Pick a part of town you’ve never visited, walk the streets, go to the park, shop the boutiques, and try the restaurants. When my family goes on interstate road trips we often try not to eat at any fast food restaurants. We pack a picnic lunch and then find parks where we eat our meals. This does take more time than going though the drive through, as we may have to travel a few miles off the highway to find the town park, but it is much more enjoyable and we get to see the true communities along they way, rather than the exterior of cookie cutter restaurants.
7. Move to a new town
While there are certain times in life than others when this is easier, there’s nothing more adventurous than moving to a new community.
8. Switch careers
If you are in a rut, switching careers or companies is also a huge adventure. If you aren’t registered already on LinkedIn, create an account. The website will consistently send you openings in your area that match your qualifications. Apply for some of the jobs and see what happens.
9. Make new friends
The best way to expand your world is by meeting new people. Join a social club, ask your neighbors over for dinner, or volunteer for organizations where you’ll meet like-minded people. Strike up a conversation with a stranger.
10. Get out of your house
Staying inside hidden in your home is one of the least adventurous things you can do. You have to go out into the world to expand your horizons.
11. Go on a weekend getaway
Draw a three-hour driving circle around your home on a map. Pick one spot you’ve never visited within the radius and plan a two-night trip.
12. Do something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t
Have you ever wanted to watch the ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve or ride in a hot air balloon? Then do it. The only one stopping you is you.
13. Exercise and eat well
You can do a lot more when you’re healthy and in shape. Done in the right mindset, exercise is pleasurable. Run in a blacklight run or in a half marathon, go on a bike ride, join a gym, or explore new walking trails. You’ll feel better after you do.
14. Pinpoint everything that makes you unhappy, and change these parts of your life
This may be one of the greatest and empowering adventures. If you hate your job, find another one or go back to school. Miserable in your relationship? Work on fixing it, go it alone, or find someone new. You, and only you, are responsible for your life. If fear is holding you back, you may want to reexamine if the unhappiness of staying where you are outweighs facing the fear to create a new life.
15. Embrace change, don’t fear it
Instead of looking at change as scary, get excited and completely embrace it. Remember the analogy of the astronauts? Just imagine how exciting it must have been for the first ones as they embarked on space exploration. Trying new things is fun. Don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back.
16. Associate with adventurous people
We all know them. They are the ones who have just come back from bike riding through Canada or climbing a mountain. They are the ones first in line to sign up for parasailing or to ride the roller coaster ride. Join them.
17. Go on a road trip – off the interstate
Find a state highway and travel it. Research the most popular activities and restaurants on websites like TripAdvisor and stop at them. Stay at a bed and breakfast. Bring a tent and pop it up at a campground. Or be like everyone else and stay at the chain on the interstate exit and spend your evening watching television - not.
18. Get off the beaten path
One of my favorite spots at a famous national park is about a ten-minute walk from a parking lot. I discovered it many years ago by accident. It’s not on the map and contains the same geographic features as those on the map. However, my spot never has any other people around whereas the ones on the map have hundreds, often thousands, of tourists. You’ll never know what you’ll find when you don’t follow the crowd and look for alternatives. Take that extra step others don’t take the time to do. Dare to be different.
19. Be spontaneous
If someone asks you to do something fun with little notice, do it. Don’t make an excuse. Go for it.
20. Recognize that when you are bored, you need more adventure
The only way to end the boredom is to take action.
21. Do something that just isn’t you.
Get a new haircut. Buy (and wear) an outfit that isn’t your usual style. If you’ve never been to the opera, go. Try water skiing. Join a book club. Go to a political event. Take an improv class. Build houses for the homeless. Start a foundation. Write a book. You get the idea. Try something new.
22. Go it alone
The greatest adventures are best done alone when you have no one to rely on, and they are often the biggest confidence builders. Don’t wait to take a yoga class because none of your friends wants to join with you. If you want to do it, go by yourself.
23. Plan a trip of a lifetime
Pick a place you’ve always wanted to visit but always thought it was out of your price range, like an African safari. Now, plan the trip. Figure out the airfare. Pick the hotels where you will stay and the sites you will visit. Price it out. Then open a savings account and save until you have enough to afford the trip and go.
24. Create a bucket list
Write down 100 things you want to do before you die. Then pick one of them and focus all your energies on making it happen. Don’t make excuses, just do it. Once you have completed your goal, pick another one and keep repeating.
25. Understand adventure is necessary for your development
When social media first came on the scene, I was shocked by how many of my former classmates were exactly in the same place they had been when we had left school. Yes, they were married, had jobs and were raising children, but all the friends in their pictures were the same friends from twenty years prior. The lived in the same place, vacationed in the same spots, and did basically everything the SAME. Then there were the ones who had gone for it. They had followed their dreams and gone on adventures. They had expanded their lives and found their true selves by taking risks. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s wonderful to maintain lifelong friendships and live near family and friends. However the ones who had pushed their boundaries lived more interesting lives than those who had not. Without some adventure, you'll never change.
Once you start living out of your comfort zone and removing your limits, you’ll find it easier to try more things and creating adventure will become second nature.
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