Motivational Monday: Life Is A Daring Adventure Or Nothing

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“Life is either a daring adventure…or nothing at all” – Helen Keller

So, what is that last adventure you went on? It can be so easy to settle into a regular routine and forget about adventures, can’t it?

Well, don’t worry! Today’s short, but sweet post is about exactly that – top tips to keep you adventurous!  Now, you may say, why would I want to do that?

Also, it’s likely that one of the first thoughts that pops into your mind is an excuse.  The brain is so good at making excuses, isn’t it?  Well, while adventure may imply luxury, I have another definition:

What Is Adventure?

In my opinion, adventure is anything that is a new experience. While that can be something daring, it really doesn’t have to be.

Here’s what I think Helen Keller meant:

Dare to try.  Rather than simply going with what you know, try something else. Whether that’s walking a new route around your own city on the weekend, taking up a new sport, or going for a challenge you’ve been waiting to try your entire life, it’s worth trying. 

Did you hear the news story last week about Fiona Mozley, the bookshop worker in the UK who was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, a prestigious literary award, for her debut novel? That means she beat out the pros, on her first try.  Sometimes, going on an adventure means trying something new, no matter how wild it may seem to you.

 

Why Travel Should Be A Priority

Well, if you’ve been reading for any length of time, you know this:

I love adventures and constantly  step out of my comfort zone to try something new. In fact, I work that into my goals every year. So, this year I’m learning to swim properly, and adding that to my fitness goal.  You’ve got my goal-setting template, right?  If not, simply head over to the free printables library and pick it up.

Actually, I believe goal setting gets you in the mindset for success. (In case you haven’t read my post on How To Set Goals That Work (Every Time), check it out).

 

 

The Brain & Seeking New Experiences

So, while I was researching this post, I found quite a few psychology sources that suggest that the brain loves new experiences and releases dopamin that makes us want to keep exploring. I think this “rush of dopamine” they talk about in studies cited by this Lifehacker article is similar to the “travel bug” experience.  Once you start, you can’t stop!

Guess what?:

That applies to pretty much every new experience  you can think of. In fact, researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health in the US have run studies that suggest that new experiences are linked to brain development. 

Well, that study was in mice, but the researchers discuss the similarities in some parts of the brain’s structure. (You can click on the link above to read the article!)

So, if you’re prone to making excuses for reasons not to try new activities or go on new adventures, remember this:

It may be healthy for your brain!

 

 

3 Ways To Become More Adventurous

 

1. Try Something New At Home (Every Year!)

So, as part of my annual goal-setting process (and my bi-annual goal updates), I ensure that I am stretching my limits, even just a little. What do I mean? Well, it’s simply trying something different every year, going back to an old passion, or approaching a goal in a new way.

Here’s the deal:

It seems simple, but trying something new and refreshing keeps you motivated to get going towards your goals.

 

2. Make Travel A Priority

Well, if you’ve read the section above, you know that I love travel.  It simply allows you to have new experiences, put yourself in situations beyond your control, learn about new cultures, and possibly even learn a new language. In fact, that’s part of the reason I always wanted to mvoe to Europe – it’s so linguistically rich!

Consider this:

If you’re hearing those excuses in your head, you need to push them away.  No time? No money? Too complicated with the family? Trust me, if you really want to do it, you can.  In fact, I had the pleasure of having a couple Canadian friends in town this weekend, with their 6 month old baby. They didn’t let a few baby meltdowns stop them from having an adventurous spirit!  Actually, it was incredible to see.

 

3.  Meet New People

Now, if you’ve met me, you know I’m a huge fan of Meetup groups and meeting new people. Well, you kind of have to be when you move a lot!

Actually, I’ve found that reaching out and meeting new people by joining these random meetup groups has lead to more experiences (such as my sailing trip in June), and increased cultural understanding.

What’s the last meetup group you joined? I’d love to know in the comments below!

 

 

 

Well, those are my top tips for keeping adventure in your life!

How do you define adventure? What’s the best adventure you’ve ever been on? Scroll down to the comments section and let me know! I read and respond to every comment 🙂

Have a lovely and productive (and adventurous, even) Monday!

 

 

P.S.  The photo for today’s post (and poster!) is one I took in the coves in Menorca, Spain in June