As I reflected on my previous years’ adventure list goals, I noticed that there were still adventures left on my list by the end of the year…and that’s ok.
When I was provided with the opportunity to cross something off my list, I took it. Some of my adventures that weren’t on my original adventure list were later added and then crossed off along the way.
It’s important to recognize the moments that are once in a lifetime, that you can only experience if you take action at that moment, that place.
I’m sharing practical tips to help you overcome obstacles and experience more adventures this year.
Why I Try to Live Without Regrets
If you have been a reader of mine for a while, you know that a big motivation for me to live to the fullest is because of the death of my brother and mom. (“Why Death has made me want to live”)
A conversation with my mom on her deathbed has also fueled me.
In her final weeks of life, she shared that she had always wanted to go to Hawaii and she shared with sadness that it was too late for that.
You have to understand that she was full of life but the circumstances of taking care of my brother with cerebral palsy for years, all four of my sick grandparents at various points in time, and her own cancer chipped away from her time and zest a bit.
During my mom’s final months, she began painting again. She was an incredible artist but she had a new challenge. Her right arm had cancer in her bones which made tasks extremely painful. So she took up painting with her left hand.
Her paintings created by her non-dominant left hand displayed more talent than I’ll ever know. In her final weeks of life, she shared her talent and her prayers with those she came in contact with.
No More Excuses
So let’s take on this year and let our challenges become opportunities to be intentional to still seek adventure when we can, while we still can.
Time and health are not guaranteed for anyone.
1. If You Want to Do Something Bad Enough, You’ve Got to Overcome the Fear of Going Alone
Several of my most popular pictures over the years were taken while exploring alone.
It gave me time to think, be grateful, and FEEL ALIVE.
For example, there is a historic cemetery in our area that I love to walk and take pictures of.
I also love to take photo walks downtown because street art always puts a smile on my face.
You may not always have someone that’s available to accompany you, so why not test the waters and try going alone?
There are also some adventures you can only experience solo, like when I jumped off the Stratosphere.
That was a moment!
It doesn’t always have to be so extreme. It could be as simple as riding your bike on a “new to you” trail.
It may be that trip you want to take but you don’t have someone to go with you.
When I went on a group trip to Nepal I was forced to get out of my comfort zone. It allowed me to get to know others without the safety net of a friend or family member by my side.
The experience allowed me to get to know others in the group and form friendships with people from all walks of life on a deeper level.
2. Do it Scared
Confession: I’m actually kind of a wimp.
I’ve become braver over the years but was a late bloomer when it comes to adventure.
I didn’t even start riding REAL roller coasters until 8th grade! I’ve progressively gotten braver/crazier over the years when it comes to adventure.
Each time adventure out of my comfort zone has given me more confidence for the next BUT there always has to be a FIRST TIME.
Like when I experienced a childhood dream of trying the trapeze...or when I drove a snowmobile in Washington State by myself.
I wasn’t very confident and struggled to keep up with the guide… but I did it!
Each time I face my fears I gain more confidence for the next adventure.
3. Be Intentional and Don’t Put Limits on Your Dreams
One of my all-time favorite quotes is
“If you want to do something bad enough, you will find a way, if not you”‘ll find an excuse.” -Jim Rohn
How often do we talk ourselves out of a goal or dream that we really want to accomplish?
You don’t have the extra income for some of your goals.
Who cares?!
That’s where creative “FUNancing” comes in.
Sometimes it’s timing, but other times it’s because we don’t want to put the work into it or budget for it.
Most of the time it’s easier to make an excuse than to make a plan and get intentional with our calendar.
I admire the people who travel the world for months at a time because they decided that the experience trumped the excuses.
Italy was a destination that I had on my list since childhood that felt out of reach…until it wasn’t.
Sometimes we can box in our limits based on what or where we think is possible based on whether our family or friends have previously been there.
I visited other countries in Europe on a River Cruise for the first time where we fell in love with Budapest.
That built my confidence for crossing Italy and Greece off my list the following year.
When my boys and I went dog sledding on a glacier in Alaska I knew that it would be a lot harder to move our schedules around to try to come back and experience this later in life together.
There was a financial sacrifice, but I have no regrets because we recognized the value of a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
4. Challenge Yourself to Try New Things
Several years ago, I took a snowboarding lesson for the first time. I was concerned about being too old to start.
I FELT OLD compared to the kids that I saw on the slopes.
My snowboard instructor told me something that shattered that mindset. He said his oldest lesson-taker was in his 80s!
80’s!!!! He valued challenging himself to experience new things over the excuse of why not.
New experiences help break up the monotony of routine and bring new life and energy.
I’m new to the sport of pickleball but I’m enjoying the challenge and the opportunity to meet new people.
When I was in Nicaragua I pushed myself to hike a volcano with the group and not allow my knee issues to stop me.
5. Don’t Allow the Fear of Looking Stupid to Stop You
I’ve started to embrace looking stupid and can I laugh at myself when I try new things.
…Like the time I was the only one in our group who wanted to do the crazy hot sauce challenge. I was bound to look stupid but I also had been training with my hot sauce tolerance for this moment.
It’s unrealistic to expect to be good or perfect at something the first time you try it.
When I tried aerial silks it was WAY harder than I anticipated but it made me appreciate my progress even more.
I’m scared or intimidated to try A LOT of my adventures, but each time I face my fear, I have more confidence for the next thing.
I’ve even witnessed that in my kids as they face their fears and also don’t put limits on their dreams.
We’ve been blessed to share many incredible experiences that have expanded their confidence.
6. Find People Who Get You and Challenge You to Dream BIG
I have people in my corner who understand me, encourage me, and push me when my insecurities begin to hinder me from moving forward.
They get me and how I’m wired because they share the wanderlust gene.
I don’t have to explain my desire to travel to more places or try more adventures because they are actively seeking more adventures in their lives too.
The common question among my travel friends is always “What’s your next trip?”
There will always be people who don’t understand me. They don’t get why I’m constantly seeking adventure all the time and that’s ok.
Some of those people may be closest to me, but that doesn’t stop me.
I can’t let their disapproval or misunderstanding of my motives stop me because I’m more concerned about their opinion.
I would have missed out on so many incredible experiences over the years if I had paused to filter whether I thought everyone would approve.
I’m choosing to enjoy and live my life to the fullest.
That can look different than other people’s visions and that’s ok.
Going back is not an option.
7. When You Step Out of Your Comfort Zone, You Make Comfortable People…Uncomfortable
When you watch someone go for a goal, it challenges you to evaluate what you’re doing, question why you haven’t gone after your dream, and the tendacy to want to lean on excuses.
I have a friend who has lost a lot of weight.
Observing her transformation has challenged me to think about what is getting in the way of my healthier lifestyle goals..time, laziness, and excuses.
What you do with that uncomfortable feeling is what matters.
Do you step up and improve your life or try to sabotage and bring that person down so that you feel more comfortable?
It happens all the time. Sometimes people might not even realize they are doing it to someone else.
Use that uncomfortable feeling to bring positive change.
You also have to challenge yourself to seek to be uncomfortable regularly.
8. Stay Curious -Add to Your Adventure List All Year Long and Be Open to New Experiences With Different Subcultures
So many incredible experiences this past year were not on my original list.
Stay openminded when opportunnities arise. Be curious about people and places around you. Ask them about their adventures.
I found out about a Highland Cow encounter, added it to the list and experienced it that same year.
Some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met were from subcultures of hobbies that I don’t regularly come in contact with.
A few examples are Intro to Curling, underwater hockey, trying the Luge, making pottery in Gatlinburg, goat yoga and riding in a gyroplane.
Get Specific and Write Down the Adventures You Want to Experience
There is something about writing down what you want to do and the satisfying feeling when you finally cross it off.
I recommend having BOTH a local adventure list and an adventures away list.
You can refer to the list when you have extra time or want to plan ahead.
You can download and write down your adventure list on paper or keep a running tab on your phone.
I use the notes area on my phone to keep track of local adventures and adventures away. I can check them off as I go and add items to my list when I get suggestions.
9. Identify What You Want to Do and Be Intentional With Your List
Opportunities Take Action. You need to plan out what you want to do and get it on the calendar.
Quit saying “should” because it implies feelings of guilt and shame.
What are your interests and talents?
What do you want your dream life to look and feel like?
Your list is Individual. Live Your OWN Dream!
I love quirky things and I don’t apologize for it. When I discovered a disco bathroom at a Kentucky gas station I added a visit as one of our road trip stops.
Don’t allow comparison with another person or fear of judgment to keep you from enjoying things and becoming the best you!
Comparison is the thief of joy, we are all on our own journey.
When you’re passionate about what you do, the work to get there doesn’t bother you as much.
I put A LOT of hours into this blog, but it’s something that I LOVE! It motivates, intimidates, and challenges me all the time, but it’s my passion.
10. Set Goals (BIG and Small) and Share an Adventure with Friends and Family as Often as Possible
ALWAYS have something to look forward to.
It could be as small as taking the time to drink your favorite coffee in front of your favorite landscape or taking the time to plan a game night.
Don’t just wait for a special event or vacation once a year to look forward to. You can invite others to join you on an adventure to help stir up bravery in them.
Find the beauty in each day and always have something on the horizon to look forward to.
I wouldn’t have dreamed that I would be able to cross off so many adventures this past year.
I’m adding additional adventures to the list because I didn’t do all of last year’s adventure goals.
I have incredible memories from adventures shared with my family and friends because I set goals and took advantage of opportunities to accomplish them.
Sharing a first-time experience with someone is one of my favorite things.
It could be as little as sharing someone’s first time riding an electric bike.
There is magic in the firsts.
“Shoot for the moon and if you miss you are still among the stars”
Even if you don’t achieve all of your adventure list goals in a year, you can still create incredible memories.
For example, I didn’t accomplish my year-defining goal but I did sidestep down a volcano.
Remember “A Goal is a Dream with a Deadline.”
Don’t let time get away from your dreams!
What’s on your “shoot for the moon” list?
What should I add to mine? Who wants to join me?
Awe, thanks, Laura! I really appreciate that!
Thanks Nedra! I always get so much inspiration from your posts!