Jump into microadventures!
01.07.2021
Travel – and with it the opportunity for new experiences and adventures – has become a rare phenomenon during the pandemic. That being said, taking a break from our everyday routines is essential for our mental health. The good news is that you can also experience micro-format adventures on your doorstep.
Why do people love adventures? Because adventure is the antithesis of our regular, routine-driven lives. Adventures begin when you embrace the unexpected. In times of digitalization, it’s not so easy: For example, we already know in the morning when it’s raining in the afternoon. There’s an app for everything, and everything can be planned. As we all know, life begins outside of your comfort zone.
But what if you lack the time, money or opportunity to set out on your own great voyage of discovery? Good things are close at hand: no whole weekends spent in faraway lands – a few hours, a dash of courage and a sprinkling of creativity are all it usually takes to create a new experience, or to experience the familiar in a new, novel way.
Spontaneous, local and inexpensive
“Microadventure” is the name given to the trend of incorporating short-term changes of scenery into your everyday life. The definitions vary, but the general rule is that micro-adventures are spontaneous, do not require major planning or special equipment, do not require a lot of time or a long distance covered. What’s more, they cost little to nothing.
A change of scenery for the brain
Microadventures allow us to break up our daily routine, and therefore add a bit of variety to life’s otherwise set-in-stone routines. What’s more, such experiences “extend” our day: The sense of time stretches and the brain is stimulated with new impulses. The German motivational trainer Christo Foerster is therefore convinced: “In the end, the small adventures are perhaps even more valuable than the big ones, because with their help we can shape a new everyday life instead of constantly feeling like we have to escape it.”
Where can I start?
For Christo Foerster, the core of the microadventure idea lies in the question: “What can I start with today?“Accessing microadventures is easy: Doing things you’ve never done before or haven’t done for a long time. Go for a walk in the rain. Explore your surroundings without your mobile. It isn’t about doing spectacular things or breaking records, but giving your playful, adventurous side some room to breathe. Just go outside: the unknown is more likely to be waiting for you there. Here are a few initial ideas for you to try out.
Ideas…
on your doorstep | for day-to-day work | in nature |
|---|---|---|
Take the next bus or tram to the last stop on the line, then walk back home. There are so many new things for you to discover in your area. | Pack a picnic and enjoy your lunch in a beautiful meadow. | Sunrises are magical. Get up at 3 a.m.and hike to a beautiful place to watch it. |
Spend a night under the stars. You can do this at home too: Pitch a tent in your own backyard or put up a hammock on your balcony. | Take a stroll through the market after work instead of rushing straight home or to the same few shops. | Take a dip in your nearest river or lake. Grit your teeth if it’s nippy! |
Get on your bike and “follow your nose”: go for a ride without a map or fixed destination. | Take a different route to work, for example through a neighbourhood you aren’t familiar with. | Treat yourself to a conscious break in the woods – because forest bathing is relaxing and boosts your health. |
Start from your apartment and go for a five-mile walk. Take a different route the next time you do so. | Plan your walks “thematically”. Are there beautiful castles in your area that you can explore little by little? Are you surrounded by breathtaking lakes, caves and waterfalls? | |
Have a barbecue with friends instead of going to a café in the city after work. |
You can find a wide range of inspiration for your microadventures on the internet and in a growing number of books and blogs. The most important equipment: Your appetite for new things. Christo Foerster says: “If we get it right, micro-adventures take us into the unknown – they challenge us and help us grow. We don’t have to go far or pack for the Himalayas: all we need is the right attitude.”