Mustering the Spirit of Adventure
/March may be strolling in like a freezing cold hearted lion, but there’s no mistaking that our time to start planning and scheming for warmer weather adventures is on our doorstep.
But here's the rub.
Sometimes after a long winter spent avoiding outdoor adventures, you might be feeling a bit lethargic and uninspired. How can you shake this sedentary feeling?
Here are my top 5 ways to get back into the adventurous groove.
1. Make a list
What motivates you? Make a list and put everything on it. Nothing is too big or too small.
Make sure your list includes things you enjoy that you’ve done before and also things that you’ve always wanted to try.
2. Follow through
Things that don't get scheduled usually don't happen. I could spout off a bunch of data that proves this fact, but I am betting you have a few personal examples in your back pocket. Start by scheduling smaller adventures that take very little time and effort while working your way up to more intricate multiple day adventures.
3. Phone a friend
Nobody said that adventure had to happen while you were alone. Sometimes it's much easier to start traveling, camping, orhiking with a friend before you even contemplate going it alone. Afterall, with a friend by your side, everything seems more do-able.
4. Go solo!
Think big, but start small. If you overwhelm or scare yourself too much, you're more likely to shrink back into the safety of things you've always done. Being scared is OK, but acting wisely is essential. (think busy street vs dark alley). Do what it takes to feel prepared for anything, so that you can shake off the majority of your worries before you even step out the front door.
5. Contemplate a do-over
Explore the possibility of doing better, being better and rewriting a past gone awry. Sure you may have completely failed at your first or second attempt of any past adventure. We all have to learn somehow. If the experience didn't leave a completely sour taste in your mouth, do it again. Now that you are armed with the wisdom you've gained from your perceived failures, imagine the places you can go.
So?
What are you thinking about that first long weekend camping trip or perhaps the planning of some day trips, warmer weather hiking, camping, patio time or simply gallivanting into the extended day-lit hours? Will you be creating enough warm weather memories to carry you through another long winter season?
