Integrating Adventure into your Life
Adventures, big and small, tend to breathe life into people. While there is such a place for daily routines and predictable rhythms which ground us, there is also a place for adventure. Typically, when I hear the word adventure, I think of big adventures—traveling abroad, visiting out West, trips that typically involve airfare or a cross country drive. I think of big things that someone might write about such as quitting a job, selling a home, and taking off for a year to sail around the world. I tend to think radically. I also tend to associate adventures with freedom, creativity, getting outside the box, off the grid, etc. I tend to think of lightness instead of heaviness and of being unburdened.
Sometimes when we are in the midst of working, or being a student, and/or care-taking of children or aging parents, a big adventure is not in the cards for us for a while due to responsibilities and finances, etc. We may have health issues in ourselves or a loved one making it hard to venture far from home. We may be walking through life adjustments such as a new baby that keeps you more tethered to home. Some of us may think that there is no point in pursuing adventure because we are not sure who to share an adventure with. Whatever the reason, sometimes it’s just not the time for a big, radical obvious adventure.
It’s easy then to conclude that when not able to partake in big adventures, that we are being deprived of freedom, lightness, spontaneity, and creativity. In the midst of the mundane, which is often good as it involves daily relationships and commitments, it can feel boring. We can easily become restless or even conclude that we are missing out. Sometimes in this kind of space we are tempted to look for adventure in areas that are not so good for us-pursuing an affair, for example--just because it seems exciting and like an escape from day to day responsibilities. While these temptations may seem like the answer, they often wreak havoc and destruction and drain life instead of give life.
I think most of us could benefit from a reframing of the idea of adventures. In seasons like this where big adventures are elusive and maybe even not so good for us choices begin to lure us, I think that there is still a place for adventure, just maybe on a different scale.
Smaller scale adventures, which I love to call micro-adventures can be life-giving, yet in a more simple way. These smaller experiences also involve getting creative and outside the box, yet are often shorter in duration and typically a lot less expensive. These micro-adventures look different for different people, yet there is a common theme around breathing life into a person.
With fresh eyes we can begin to appreciate the gift of a small adventure and be inspired to live life with a little more joy and sense of wonder. What kinds of small things are life-giving to you? What are things that are outside your normal, every day experiences that you could access fairly easily and enjoy mightily?
For some of us, this involves activities like going on a bike ride, paddling around in a kayak, or going on a hike. For others they are filled with a sense of life by taking part in a campout or a one night get-away to a nearby town or city. For others of us, it’s music that makes us feel alive, so making the space and time for a live concert could be a gift we give ourselves. For others, it’s as simple as going on a picnic and watching the sunset instead of eating at our kitchen table. For others it’s visiting a museum and immersing oneself in art. For others it’s trying a new recipe or even a new restaurant, and for others it’s simply ordering a meal that you have never tried before.
If you feel like you are stuck in a rut, stifled, and craving more life, take heart. Begin to believe that no matter your circumstances, there is joy and life to be had. Consider starting small by paying attention to what feels like an adventure to you. What adventures that come to mind are life-giving? Consider creating the space to make micro-adventures a priority.
Elizabeth B. Burton is a licensed professional counselor and life coach with Burton Counseling, PLLC. Elizabeth lives just outside of Chattanooga, TN.; you can learn about Elizabeth here and about services provided here. Elizabeth also provides support to individuals and groups through an online course on Coping with Anxiety & Stress and through providing workshops and speaking opportunities. Elizabeth communicates about mental health and well-being through both the Narrating Hope newsletter and podcast as well as through her writing. Elizabeth would love to connect with you and welcomes you to sign up for the newsletter, listen in to the podcast, reach out about working together, and connect on social media.