In Search of Adventure
Upon returning from an amazing vacation to Japan, I found myself telling everyone how much I loved the adventure. Every day, I was introduced to situations for which I had no expertise. I was introduced to a new language, a different culture, to history that I never learned, and to a slight tilt on normal day-to-day experiences.
I soaked it all up.
Every mundane task became a learning opportunity for me and I was energized by the experience. I jumped out of bed in the mornings and crashed at night after long and exciting days. I was in my zone.
And then I came home.
It was wonderful to return home to loved ones and to my own bed. However, I quickly returned to my familiar life and resumed my normal routine. Things were not new and my daily activities did not generate much excitement. I longed for the sense of adventure that came from my Japan experience.
The reality is that few of us can regularly take 3-week international vacations. However, my desire for adventure is always there. Surely there are opportunities to experience adventure outside of approved PTO, right? Absolutely! It just requires taking a different perspective on your life.
Stop to Smell the Roses and Talk with Someone While You’re There- We live life with other people. However, we tend to only talk to a few of them. Think about those that you pass by in a normal day- the barista, the receptionist, the school crossing guard, the grocery store clerk, the bartender, the person who works out at the gym the same time you do. They all have a story. They likely know something, have experienced something and believe something that is new or different from you. Want an adventure? Strike up a friendly conversation with a stranger.
Try Something New- We all say that we’re going to do it. But in reality, when was the last time that you tried something new? For Perfectionists, it can be hard to try something new when you have no prior demonstrated success. For Introverts, it can be hard to try something new with strangers. However, stepping outside of your comfort zone is inherently an adventure. Try your hand at a new sport or a new craft. Attend a new community meeting. Eat a new food. Learn about a topic that you know nothing about. Without any judgment, make a conscious decision to try something new and different today.
Explore Your Community- We all have our daily routine. Adventure comes from taking a sharp right turn from that routine. You don’t have to leave town on a vacation to explore interesting finds. They exist in your own community. Take the scenic route and see what you find. Try a new restaurant. Explore your local parks. Participate in a local fair or festival. Pretend that you are a tourist in your own community. Check out TripAdvisor’s list of “Things to do” for your own town and try one. Enjoy the pleasant surprises that come with a fresh perspective on what has become routine.
Adventure for some might look like white water rafting or skydiving. However, for others, it might look like something a lot less physically demanding. Our definition of adventure is personal to us, both in terms of what we do and how often we do it.
Break free from any perceived limitations and start your next exciting adventure today.