How to Be More Adventurous

Even touching on the topic of adventure…it’s kind of funny to me. I was that timid, shy, kid who, as a toddler, had a perpetual worried look on my face, and was scared of almost everything. I didn’t like heights, rides at theme parks, strangers, fire, water, going new places; the list is just about endless of what made me nervous as a kid. So now, sitting here as a 27 year old, trying to live life as adventurously as possible, with a little streak of adrenaline junkie in me…how can I possibly be the same person?

Let me tell you something: adventure changed my life. I didn’t really take too many physical risks in my life aside from loving rock climbing as a teen, but it was around 23 that I decided to start living life. 23 was the best year. I started to realize that when I faced my fears, and did something kind of crazy, like swan dive off a catamaran, or swim with manatees in the alligator infested rivers of Florida…that I had an amazing story to tell at the end of it. I had an amazing memory to keep with me forever.

I remember watching a “Series of Unfortunate Events” (2004), and seeing the part where the children talk to their Aunt Josephine, who lives in a constant state of fear about absolutely everything after the death of her husband, Ike. They are flipping through her old photo album, and realize that this middle-aged woman, shaking in her boots, used to be the most adventurous explorer in her youth. She flew planes, tamed lions, and investigated real life crimes. This had me thinking…I want the photo album of my life, that my grandchildren flip through 50 years from now, to look just as exciting as Aunt Josephine’s. I want to inspired my children and grandchildren to be adventurous and daring.

I love looking at old, black and white photographs of female pilots, adventurers, and explorers. Those women are old or past on now, but what a life they led! This is so inspiring to me. I want to be more like them, and I am working hard on it. I suppose you can say I am trying to build my legacy. Perhaps this sounds self-centered, or even vain…but gosh darn it, who doesn’t want to inspire their future children and grandchildren?!

So how does one become more adventurous? Being adventurous doesn’t mean not being afraid of something. I’m terrified to cliff jump into lakes, every time, but I still do it. Why and how?

Why do something scary? Because you will have the most amazing memories to keep with your forever, and the cherry on top is the pride you feel at having done and accomplished something that scared you. And the more you do that, and have that happy feeling of accomplishment at the end…the more you get addicted to it…in a good way.

How do you do something scary? This is harder to describe, but the best way I can explain it is this: When you are standing at the edge, and full of fear, even terrified out of your mind, and don’t think you can do it…there then comes one quiet moment of peace and calm, when your mind stops thinking for one millisecond. It is during this millisecond that you jump.

I know that sounds crazy and cheesy, but this is honestly what happens, and it is in the millisecond that I jump. This can be applied to anything in your life, from jumping off a cliff into a lake, to stepping onto the big roller coaster at the theme park, to pressing “send” on an email…

Being adventurous is taking a canoe out for a spin. Being adventurous is going on a road trip. Being adventurous is reaching out to people and making new friendships. Being adventurous is going on a hike with friends. Being adventurous is learning to tame lions or fly planes. Being adventurous is finally applying for your dream job. There are many ways that you can live an adventurous life. Literally anyone can be an adventurer.

There are lots of things that scare us in life…but if we don’t let those things hold us back from doing something crazy and adventurous that will give us lasting memories…well…our lives will turn out to be a little more exciting and full in the end. No regrets.

“Fear never made any memories.”

- Julia

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