How to Adventure

Have you ever seen those wildly adventurous people and wondered how they do it?

Where does that energy and confidence come from? How do you always find these cool places in the middle of nowhere (or hidden in plain sight)?! Why do adventures just seem to always happen for some people?

There Was A Time When I Thought Adventuring Was Truly An Art,
Something Out Of Reach And Unattainable To Those Not Born With The Gift Of Adventurous Instincts Or Something. . .

Now, looking at my life today and the adventures that unfold every single day… I have a new perspective.

Adventuring is a matter of being open to what life has next.

Think Disney’s Pocahontas And Her Thrill At Wondering What Might Be “Just Around The River Bend!”

She didn’t think about where to go, where the adventure might be, or even exactly what she hoped to discover… and that’s the difference between epic adventurers and the rest of the world- the adventurers have more space for serendipity. They’re not taking things too literally or overthinking it, they’re just staying out of their own way and playing with whatever unfolds.

(Right? If you have a different thought on this, share with me in the comments! I’d love to hear it!!)

Anyway, let’s get into some how-to talk for adventuring. . .

I want to share this because in the past year or so, I’ve gone from a hermit in a little apartment to living my dreams exploring and adventuring the Oregon coast in my new RV home. Now, I’m not the one just in awe of great adventures others are having… I’m one of the people creating and living the adventure every single day! Maybe hearing what has changed for me will help you create a little more adventure in your own life!

Adventure Lesson 1: Don’t Wait For Anyone.

I wanted people to come with me on my adventures. Especially as a small woman, I didn’t like going out on my own for adventures. I worried about whether I’d be safe, what I’d do if I got lost or hurt, etc. There’s a balance between keeping yourself safe and being so overly cautious that you crush the adventure before it even has a chance to start. Go with a friend or start in safe spaces, but don’t let waiting for your partner/mom/sister/bff hold you back. If your tribe isn’t into it or they’re not making the adventure a priority while you’re ready- start looking for local groups on Facebook or in your local community and make an adventure buddy!

Adventure Lesson 2: Prepare, But Don’t Plan.

This is a guideline, not a rule. Some things are worth planning, but I’ve learned there’s a lot to be said about being prepared for awesomeness while leaving your agenda open for surprises. For me, this means bringing water and snacks, knowing the area and the weather and local phenomena (tides, mushrooms and local plant life worth noting, animals of interest in the area, etc.) and clearing a little more time in my schedule than I expect to need for the adventure.

I end up in long conversations or going miles further than I planned and these trips end up being some of the best, so planning a good 2+ hour cushion of free-time beyond when I plan to be out is awesome! It’s a luxury not everyone has, but you also need to own your time and realize you have one life. Live it intentionally.

Adventure Lesson 3: Be Open To Learning New Things, And Respect What Locals Have To Say.

This is a big lesson for anyone on the coast especially- trust the locals when they tell you to be careful or that something isn’t safe. When someone shows you a bird or a plant or tries to tell you about the way the land formed, don’t brush it off as boring.

When I first moved to the Oregon coast, I’d only seen the ocean a handful of times. I didn’t know anything about the tides except that they go from high to low and it’s important to never turn your back on the water. On my birthday, I went out to an isolated beach by myself and there were sneaker waves… a local told me to be careful and rather than brushing him off, I talked with him for a while and asked him to teach me about beach safety. I found out where to learn about the tides and what to look for, and when a huge sneaker wave came up on the beach during our conversation, a tourist couple a few yards from us almost got swept out into the ocean. If I’d been standing where I was when the local called out to me to be careful, I would have been swept out. Trust the locals! Ask questions. Don’t think you know it all, even if you aren’t new to being outdoors and doing nature-stuffs.

It’s not a fun adventure if you wind up hurt or stranded in an area and element you know very little about with no idea what to do.

Bonus Lesson: It’s Okay To Start Small!

Okay, this goes both ways… my first adventure that really unlocked the gates of going on adventures was actually big- I took a trip to the Oregon coast and everything unfolded from there…

But you can start smaller, too. And even after some grand adventures, you can have small ones too. That’s more attainable for most people, and the small ones have just as much potential to be amazing! If you aren’t ready to travel the world or hike a giant mountain, maybe start with a local hiking trail or a nearby lake… explore downtown and see it with fresh eyes, be a tourist in your own city.

Adventure really is everywhere. It’s not about where you go, it’s about stepping into an open heart and mind and following that tug of excitement and curiosity.

If you’re looking for the confidence and self-reliance that shines so brightly in seasoned adventurers, start going on adventures. People don’t just start off that confident- adventure isn’t innate to most people. It’s something learned! Build your confidence by doing the thing. Start where you are and take little steps in the direction you want to go. Adventuring can be learned, just like anything in life. Give yourself the opportunity to learn it!

Here’s some homework, should you choose to accept it:

Get out of your own way and go experience something epic!

Adventure isn’t necessarily about going places… it’s a mindset. So… get out of your own way. Open up. Experiencing your everyday life with complete presence and intention is an adventure all on its own. Embrace it, let it in. Ask yourself “what if _______,” and then go find out!

And finally, if you want to keep up with my adventures or share yours with me, join my newsletter for my Sunday love notes and adventure updates. I love having the opportunity to talk with my readers in this intimate space and hear your stories and perspectives. That bond means the world to me, I’m glad you’re here. Thanks for reading!

Written for you in hopes of bringing some fun your way!

Jessica