We’ve put adventure up on a pedestal. Adventure has become a nitty, gritty five-day camping trip in the Grand Canyon or a month-long backpacking trip across Europe. We forget that being adventurous doesn’t need to cost a lot of money, time, or distance. We think of ourselves as not adventurous when in reality, doing something new and unexpected, even a few miles from where we live, can have the same enlightening affect on our lives. You CAN be more adventurous wherever you are!

Adventure was that 2 a.m. donut run with a pit stop at a random person’s lawn that had red hearts spray-painted all over it. Adventure was running around the State Capitol grounds at night, peeking into senator’s windows. Adventure was a two-night camping trip at a state park 30 minutes away from home. Adventure was discovering a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with some incredible gyros. These were some of my real-life adventures back in college and it all happened within the city limits. When did my expectations for adventure become so grandiose?

I want to change our idea of adventure. It’s time to get out of our comfort zone, explore unknown territory, and try something new – all while making easy plans and keeping close to home! Adventure is available all around us, and we simply need to make time for it. Don’t believe me? Consider these adventurous suggestions.

• Make a bucket list for your hometown or state and accomplish it in a year.
• Cook with an unfamiliar ingredient or cook a dish you haven’t made before.
• Order something you wouldn’t usually order at a restaurant.
• Go see a music, comedy, dance, or art show.
• Go visit a nearby park.
• Take a painting, cooking or pottery class.
• Go dancing!
• Meet someone new at your workplace, grocery store, or networking event and strike up a conversation.
• Eat at a restaurant you’ve never been to. Bonus points for not looking up reviews before going!
• Go roller skating.
• Take a walk around your neighborhood.
• Bake and deliver cookies to your neighbors.
• Rent a bike and ride it around your city.
• Take a new way home from work.
• Visit that place you’ve always driven by and were curious about.
• Go kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding.
• Go camping for the weekend or for a night.
• Attend a music or food festival you’ve never been to.
• Make a coffee date with an acquaintance to get to know him/her.
• Mark cities 30-45 minutes away from your hometown and plan a day trip.
• Get a group together and volunteer.
• Complete a DIY project. Use Pinterest or simply show up at a craft store for ideas.

I personally think adventure is best when shared and it’s a lot more fun and will keep you more accountable when you involve others. Whether you adventure with friends or your significant other, I’m sure your relationship will be stronger because of the shared experience.

How will you be more adventurous this year? What adventurous activities would you suggest?

The post How to be More Adventurous Wherever You Are appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

When I say adventure, what do you think of? Bungee jumping in New Zealand? Eating pig brains in Spain? Getting lost in a French neighborhood? Taking a year-long trip around the world? Those activities and situations are definitely adventurous but I believe adventure is more easily found and less “glamorous” than we make it. Adventure is unusual and exciting experiences and activities and exploring unknown territories. With that definition, you can count many things as adventure.

In following travel bloggers, I’ve found many who live a life of constant travel. As I explored my goals and desires, I realized that while traveling to new places is fun and exciting, I don’t think I want a life of being a travel nomad. I like my roots, coming home, and having a routine. Wanting those things doesn’t make me less of a traveler or less adventurous. There’s nothing wrong with keeping a full-time job and saving up to travel when you can take a vacation. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to buy a house and build a family who you’ll take to adventurous places. And there’s nothing wrong with being a travel nomad. Your idea of adventurous living is yours to choose.

Adventure doesn’t need to fit within someone else’s criteria. If traveling internationally to spend a week on a beautiful beach is your idea of an adventure, so be it. If you find adventure through a situation similar to the show Naked and Afraid, that’s your call. Don’t let someone take the joy out of what brings you happiness.

Adventure happens right where you are. We don’t need to go far or spend a lot of money for adventure. We don’t need to hop on a plane to get to it. It can be the park by your house where you’ve never taken your dog. Or trying the new Thai restaurant that recently opened. Or a 30-minute drive to a swimming hole you’ve never been. As long as you’re exploring new experiences in your life, you’re being adventurous!

Adventure is out there, and it’s good for you. It has the ability to inspire, bring happiness and open your eyes to new people, thoughts, and cultures. Go find adventure, wherever that may be!

What adventurous things have you done recently? What’s one adventurous thing you’ll do this month?

The post How to Find Adventure in Everyday Life appeared first on Fearless Captivations.