Living an adventurous life means embracing new experiences, stepping out of your comfort zone, and seeking excitement, growth and new challenges. Whether it’s trying new foods, exploring new places or taking on a new challenge, being adventurous is a great way to add excitement to your life, learn new things and expand your horizons.
If you’re looking to add more adventure to your life, here are some tips to get you started:
1. Start Small – Think Baby Steps:
It can be overwhelming to jump into something completely new and unfamiliar, so start small and gradually increase the level of adventure and discomfort. Try something new once a week or once a month, and gradually increase the frequency and level of difficulty. Baby steps are the best way to get that adventurous life that you’ve been dreaming of!
2. Try New Things:
Trying new things is a key component of living an adventurous life. Whether it’s a new sport, hobby, or cuisine, be open to broaden your horizon with new experiences and try things that you may not have considered before. Food is a great way to start. Become more adventurous by trying new and exotic foods, such as sushi, Thai, Indian or Mexican. Trying new foods can expand your palate and increase your propensity to change.
3. Keep an Open Mind:
Being open-minded is key to becoming more adventurous and living a more adventurous life. Be open to new experiences and new perspectives, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes or try new things.
4. Embrace Change:
Being adventurous in life often means embracing change and uncertainty. Embrace change and be open to trying new things, even if it means stepping outside of your comfort zone.
5. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone:
Challenging yourself is an important part of becoming more adventurous in life. Take on a new activity, such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking or skydiving, that you have always been curious about but have never tried before.
6. Take Risks:
Taking risks is an important part of living an adventurous life. Whether it’s starting a new business, trying a new hobby or sport, or traveling to a new country, taking risks can lead to new experiences, growth and opportunities.
7. Embrace Failure:
Embracing failure is an important component of living an adventurous lifestyle. Never be afraid to fail or make mistakes. Embrace it, learn from it and use it as an opportunity to grow.
A major failure on a river kayaking trip but we survived!
8. Stay Positive:
Staying positive and having a can-do attitude is essential to living an adventurous lifestyle. No matter what challenges you face, maintain a positive outlook and believe in yourself.
That’s not to say you won’t be miserable trying something new or hard for the first time or even for the second, third or tenth time. Know it’s okay to feel your feels but never let it break you or stop you from trying again.
I’m embarrassed to share this but I definitely have been known to cry from time to time while doing hard stuff that takes me so far out of my comfort zone or feels impossible at the time. That pain and discomfort passes though and I’m almost always glad I did it in the end.
These challenging activities and adventures are known as “type two fun”. You will likely not find “type 2 fun” fun while you’re deep in it, but afterwards you have a high and appreciation for it like you never dreamt possible. Type 2 fun may not be “fun” at the time, but it ultimately comes with a lot of pride, growth and satisfaction in the end!
9. Travel:
Traveling is one of the best ways to become more adventurous. Exploring new cultures, countries or cities, meeting new people, and trying new activities, foods and ways of life can be a truly enriching experience.
10. Plan Adventures:
Planning adventures, whether big or small, can help you live a more adventurous life. It can be as simple as a day trip to a nearby city or a walk at a new park or trail, or as elaborate as a multi-week backpacking trip through a remote region. Either way, the anticipation of a new adventure can be exciting and will encourage you to step out of your comfort zone even more.
11. Get Outdoors for an Adventurous Life:
Spending time outdoors is a great way to live an adventurous life. Whether it’s hiking, camping, or simply exploring nature, getting outside and connecting with the natural world can be a truly exhilarating experience. Check out my beginner’s guide to outdoor adventures blogpost: A Beginner’s Guide to Outdoor Adventure.
12. Meet New People:
Surrounding yourself with new people who are adventurous and open-minded can help you become more adventurous. Join clubs (I’m a member of our local mountaineering club and multiple hiking groups), attend events (try Meetup or Facebook groups to find local hiking events or to get inspiration from others online) or simply strike up conversations and network with people who are different from you. Surrounding yourself with adventure-seekers can help you live a more adventurous lifestyle.
13. Celebrate Your Adventures and Your Wins:
Celebrate your adventures, no matter how big or small, and keep a record of your experiences via journaling or photography. This will allow you to look back on your journey and reflect on the amazing experiences you’ve had and also see how far you have come.
In Conclusion…
Remember, an adventurous lifes requires a willingness to embrace change and take risks. Becoming more adventurous is a gradual process, and it’s important to take it one step at a time. Start small, get out of your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to try new things. By taking these steps, you can add excitement, challenge, and enrichment to your life, and create new and lasting memories. So go out, have fun and make the most of these new experiences!
