Everyone defines adventure differently, but some of the most common ways to embrace excitement in life are to travel, spend time in nature, and make engaging social connections. Some people want to hop from one continent to the next, while others enjoy making friends at new events or hiking unique trails just outside of city limits. The possibilities for adventure are endless, and this is exciting!
Although chasing adventure is a way to expand your horizons and enjoy life, it can also come with challenges. There are logistical concerns that you need to think about before you leave on a grand vacation or head out on an unexplored trail. In this post, I’ll help you find ways to overcome common obstacles and enjoy more adventure in your life.
1. Get Used to Being Out of Your Comfort Zone
Adventure isn’t always easy. There are times when you might be nervous ahead of an activity or wary about moving forward with your plans. For example, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the bustling streets of a foreign city or feel nervous before your first dance class. However, stepping out of your comfort zone is a great way to grow. You can open the door to new experiences that lead to additional adventures down the road.
As you push yourself out of your comfort zone, take extra care of yourself and make sure not to overdo it. When you travel, build in rest days so you can recover. If you are growing in your hiking experience, start with shorter paths and work toward more advanced trails.
Living an adventurous life is like climbing a mountain. You won’t reach the top on your first day, but you can get there as long as you keep moving forward.
2. Reflect on Your Interests
Everyone has their own definition of adventure. This means you don’t have to do anything that doesn’t interest you just because it’s supposed to be adventurous. One person might seek adventure through skydiving while another gets the same adrenaline rush when performing in a play.
Reflect on your interests to see what kinds of adventures you want to have. Know that it’s okay to walk away from things you don’t enjoy. You don’t have to like everything you try.
3. Consider Opportunities for Personal Improvement
As you reflect on the different adventures you want to have, ask yourself why you are drawn to them. Your personal improvement goals may help you decide on which adventurous activities to pursue. Someone who wants to improve their health might set a goal to train for a marathon over the course of a year. Another person who wants to master a language might decide to live in a foreign country for a year.
Aligning your adventure choices with personal improvement can help you overcome the fears that often arise when embarking on something new. You can feel confident that the personal growth and rewards that result from completing your adventure is worth the training, preparation, and challenges that come with it.
4. Learn about Safety Resources and Precaution
Regardless of whether you are attending an event to make friends or taking a snorkeling trip, you will need resources and support to help you along the way. Look into different gear, support groups, and other resources available that can make your adventures safer and more enjoyable.
Travelers can register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before visiting a foreign country. If there is a crisis in that nation while you are visiting, the U.S. government will know you are there and work to get you home. Safety-conscious hikers bring trail maps, compasses, and first aid kits with them in case they get lost or injured. They also tell people where they are going, the route they are taking, and when they expect to be back.
Resources and precautions can help you expand your adventurous horizons while ensuring you can achieve your goals safely.
5. Learn about Destinations
If travel is part of your adventure plan, research where you are going and any limitations or opportunities you might experience when you get there. Here are a few things you might consider:
- Where do you go for help during a crisis? Not every country uses 911 for emergencies.
- Are there any festivals, national elections, or other scheduled events in the areas you plan to visit that might complicate your travel plans?
- What are the transportation options in the area?
- What is the weather usually like at the time you plan to visit?
- Do you have any dietary needs or restrictions that you need to plan ahead for?
You can research your destinations in a variety of ways. You can search for answers to specific questions online or read books and listen to podcasts to learn about where you are going.
6. Look after Your Health to Open Up Opportunities
Your health is one of the most important assets when seeking adventure. If you plan a weeklong Caribbean cruise but get sunburned on the first day, you won’t be able to enjoy your excursions. If you wear out your legs hiking, you might have trouble getting back to camp. Make sure you set a reasonable pace and have the right equipment and resources you need ahead of your adventure.
Mental health is also important when you escape your comfort zone. Build in time to rest and relax—physically and mentally—after a major event, travel leg, or activity.
7. Consider Consulting a Mentor or Guide
You don’t have to start an adventure on your own. There are many people who have similar interests and who have already overcome the obstacles that you are facing now. If your goal is to run a 5k, you can consult with people who successfully completed one and find out how they did it. If you want to visit a specific country, you can get tips from others who have been there before.
A mentor can offer advice and motivate you to keep going when the going gets tough. They can help you develop useful tools and avoid mistakes they had to overcome the hard way. Mentorship is both motivating and valuable for staying safe.
8. Keep It Simple to Start
You have the potential to be a lifelong adventurer who always explores new challenges. However, starting small is essential. If you want to be an Ironman triathlete, start by walking a 5k. If you want to caravan down the coast of Africa, start by camping in a nearby state park.
Starting small will help you build your skills over time and learn lessons along the way. This is a process that can prevent you from getting in danger or becoming overwhelmed.
9. Invest Strategically
Some activities require significant investments of time and money. Start small and research the gear, tools, and transportation that’s right for you, and consider the secondary costs that come with these investments.
For example, if you have water toys, a camper van, or an ATV, you may need a carport to cover them when they aren’t in use. Alternatively, a custom garage may be a better way to keep your adventure equipment safe.
10. Accept the Fact That Adventure Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Your idea of adventure is unique to you, so your friends and family might not always be excited to join you. They might not want to train for a race, live in an RV, or travel across the world—and that’s okay. You can find other mentors and groups of people who share your interests.
Also, keep in mind that your opinions and experiences will not be the same as someone else’s. Talk to other adventurers with an open mind and recognize that you might have completely different perspectives on the same thing.
11. Don’t Overwhelm Yourself with Expectations
As you map out your adventure, approach it with an open mind. Plans rarely happen as intended and you don’t want your expectations to be crushed. Your stunning autumn hike could get postponed by a rainstorm or closed trail. A weekend getaway could get delayed by a canceled flight.
Also, try not to overhype plans and destinations in your head. Look at real travel photos to see how beautiful landmarks look in reality, as they may be smaller or more crowded than you realize. Adventure is often about the journey and experiences you have, not the destination itself.
12. Develop a System
As you become a more skilled adventurer, you can develop a system that works for your needs. This could be a travel checklist to ensure you always pack your creature comforts. It could involve developing a hiking pack ahead of each camping trip. These systems will help keep you safe while also making your adventure planning easier. You can spend more time enjoying the activity and less time preparing for it.
The best part of living an adventurous life is that you can decide what to do and where to go. You can pursue excitement on your terms. With the right preparation, you can leave your comfort zone and thrive in new environments.
