Why Adventure?
Why Adventure anyway? Is it worth the energy and time? Sometimes it’s more money than you want to spend, or more stress than you want to feel, or way scarier than what you signed up for. Adventure can hold a lot of unknowns, but it’s the chance to explore a little deeper, to create curiosity, and to experience new things.
According to Google, an adventure is “an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.” Hmm, not sure I’m digging the hazardous description there, but I will say, there’s probably a greater chance of you stubbing your toe while you’re out on an adventure versus sitting on the couch, binge watching your favorite show.
Adventure is getting you off of your comfy chair, out of your comfort zone, and into a new space where you can learn, love, and grow. So why should you adventure? Step up your adventure game to try new things, get out of your comfort zone, make memorable moments with loved ones, and create space for yourself. Yup, it’s all those awesome benefits, and more! Let’s go!
1. Try New Things
Adventure is trying new things. When you think of adventure, maybe you’re freaked out by the idea of diving to the ground with a mere rope tied around your ankles, or flying through the sky with a stranger on your back. Perhaps living out of a minivan-turned-bedroom makes you feel claustrophobic. I get it. Those could be quite scary (in the right circumstances).
But adventure doesn’t have to be that extreme. It can be! But it doesn’t have to be. Don’t let the fear of extreme adventure stop you from starting where you’re at. Your adventure doesn’t have to look like the magazine cover of The Explorer’s Journal. Maybe your first adventure is visiting your local parks. Or maybe it’s bungee jumping in Thailand. It could be as simple as trying a new cuisine, or maybe it’s time to join the rock climbing gym.
2. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Stop being so comfortable and try something new! Adventure is getting out of your comfort zone. You might have multiple 10ks under your belt, own your own mountain bike and canoe, and have slept under the stars more times than you can count. But what haven’t you done? What has your best friend been asking you to do that you’re a tad scared to try, but too afraid to admit it. Heights? Maybe skydiving, rock climbing, or paragliding is the next adventure for you! Don’t stay comfortable with where you’re at. When we push ourselves to do hard things, we are rewarded with resiliency, confidence, and the feeling of accomplishment.
Think back to a time when you did something hard. You probably cried, maybe you wanted to quit, and perhaps you even wondered why you ever started. Maybe you threw up over the exhausting workout, or sprained your ankle training for the tough mudder. Perhaps you were embarrassed at your first painting class, or so humiliated by your first-attempt, major-flop, tiramisu cake.
But then – the time came when you tasted that victory. It was like the sweetest wine that ever pressed your lips. You worked so hard for that end goal in front of you, and you finally got it. Your diligence and perseverance paid off and paid well.
You finished the marathon.
The tough mudder went down in history as one of the best times in your life.
You now sell your paintings on Etsy.
Your perfect tiramisu is the family’s favorite for every holiday.
Get out of your comfort zone and try something hard. Try something scary! The reward will be so sweet.
3. Make Memories with Loved Ones
To go alone or with others? Going on an adventure can be a solo paradise or a memorable event with others. Sometimes the adventure is experiencing it with the people around you, like your best friends, your spouse, or the kids in your life. Maybe you know a certain trail as well as the creases in your pillow, but take your nephew out and you’ll see it in a completely different light. Or take a simple walk at the county park, but bring your grandma sometime. Listen to what she hears, and take notice of what she sees. Sharing an experience and making memories with a loved one is an adventure itself.
4. Create Space for Yourself
And while bonding over an adventure with a loved one builds lasting memories, sometimes the need for a solo adventure is greater. Solo adventuring creates space for your mind to think and your heart to dream. When the noise around you is silenced, there is opportunity for you to go deeper with yourself, to meditate, and to reflect on the past. Getting out, experiencing different activities, and accomplishing something new, builds confidence, self esteem, and self awareness. Solo adventuring may be more cut-out for some personalities than others, but there is something for everyone. Get alone, get out, and go adventure.
Conclusion
Adventure can look like anything you make it. There have been seasons of my life where my adventure was bungee jumping in Thailand, rock climbing in Greece, and skydiving in Australia. My adventure now looks like taking kiddos to new parks and playgrounds, being amazed at wildlife or farmlife, tasting all the local creameries, and teaching our foster boys to ride bikes. And you know what? It’s all an amazing adventure. It’s one wild ride, and I wouldn’t trade it away.
I’ve been scared, uncomfortable, lost, and overwhelmed on some of these adventures. I’ve cried, peed my pants, and walked away from my husband in heated moments. But I’ve experienced so much joy, elation, laughter, and sincere gratitude on these adventures! I screamed, “I’m alive” when the bungee pulled me up after my first dip in the water. Sometimes I still want to scream it at the end of a hard day or a scary adventure. “I’m alive!”
It’s thrilling! Hard. Sometimes unconventional.
Trying new things? Getting out of your comfort zone? Making intentional memories with your loved ones? Creating space for yourself? Yes, certainly challenging at times. But the adventure is always worth it.
Get out. Go adventure.