Alistair Humphreys, author and adventurer, tells a story about the moment he realized that his galavanting around the world was taking a toll on his family life. If he wanted to be present in the life of his two sons and his wife, he would have to give up his epic adventure to the South Pole.
“But that doesn’t mean we have to give up living adventurously,” Humphreys says. Instead, we need to shift our focus to small things we can do every day that can include the people and circumstances of our “real lives.”
He coined the term “microadventure” to describe a small thing, like dragging the sleeping bag into the back yard to sleep under the stars, or take a new route home.
The formula for living adventurously can be boiled down to three steps:
- You don’t need to pin your hopes on the epic adventure of a lifetime, but on staying curious, asking questions, and finding adventure in everyday life,
- Do something adventurous every day, something maybe that takes you out of your comfort zone,
- Ask yourself what is stopping you from taking an adventure. What small step can you take to get past that hurdle?
My New Year’s resolution for 2024 is to take this to heart, and try to go on a microadventure every few weeks. Feel free to come along if you like.
2024 Microadventures
Greater Los Angeles
The Hay Tree, Paramount, California – a really big tree in the city where they build Zambonis
Weird, decaying structures on the coast of San Pedro at Sunken City, Point Fermin, California
My first trip in an electric truck was bananas – Ford F-150 Lightning First Run – to the Banana Stand!
Relaxing time in the wetlands – Kayaking in Back Bay, Newport Beach
Pioneertown, One of the Last Great Movie Ranches
Desert Christ Park – A Jesus Theme Park on the Way to Joshua Tree
