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As we get older, many of us feel like we lose our sense of adventure. Busy lives can leave us feeling exhausted, while increasing responsibilities leave little room for more intrepid pursuits.
But maintaining an adventurous perspective is one of the best ways to keep life exciting. With this in mind, we asked readers to share their tips for reigniting a sense of adventure. Here are 10 of the best suggestions:
‘I’ve tried a flotation tank, tarot, axe-throwing …’
This year I made a resolution to do at least one new thing every month. So far I’ve tried a flotation tank, tarot, reiki and axe-throwing, and appeared on a podcast. And I am going to an over-30s day rave. Acupuncture, a sound bath and reformer pilates are also on the list. I’ve heard that, when you’re a child, one reason time feels slower is the abundance of new experiences. This year has definitely felt longer to me – in a good way. I’ve made more of it and had fun trying things I otherwise might never have gotten around to. Becky Colley, UX design consultant, Manchester
‘Challenge yourself when you start to feel grouchy’
Wake up curious about the world. Avoid the grumpy vortex at all costs and challenge yourself when you start to feel grouchy. Be open to learning. Keep reviewing your life’s balance … do you have the right amount of social activity, charity work, fitness and flexibility? If not, make a plan to be a more balanced and content person, ensuring you still have enough energy for the adventure. Em Elphick, former police officer, Oxford
‘Nothing builds confidence like going into the wilderness for a week’
My wife and I began backpacking a few years ago, in our 50s. I was a Boy Scout in the 70s, so I had backpacked many times when I was young, but never as an adult. It’s such an easy, cost-effective way to spend your vacation time – plus it’s healthy and rewarding. The upfront cost of purchasing quality lightweight gear can be steep, but once you’ve got your kit, the only expenses are the cost to travel to your hiking destination, your backpacking meals and stove fuel. We both thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, plus numerous other trails closer to home. There is nothing that builds confidence like going into the wilderness for a week and surviving with only the items you’re carrying in your pack. I highly recommend that young people take up backpacking so they can see the natural world while still physically able. I wish I had done so back in my 20s. ‘Jedi’, New York
‘Try to get out of your comfort zone every day’
Adventure does not have to be grand or ostentatious. You can adventure daily – as long as you are having fun, getting out of your comfort zone and being present in the moment. My recent adventures upon retirement have included: taking an improv acting class; joining an adult softball league; substitute teaching (never a dull moment!) and starting my own business. Virginia Leoni, retired teacher, Oregon
‘Waking to see the sun rise in another country is magical’
I stopped flying in 2019 because of the climate crisis and, with my husband and two children (aged 11 and eight), have found a new sense of adventure in slow travel to Europe. Being rocked to sleep in a bunk aboard a clanking train and waking to see the sun rise in another country is magical. There is so much learned along the way: how to navigate train timetables, what to do when things go wrong, the idiosyncrasies of different cultures. Train travel to far-flung destinations is more difficult than flying – and all the more rewarding for it. Our children embrace the challenge so much more enthusiastically than we would have predicted. Hannah Stanton, school streets officer, Manchester
‘Swimming in the sea has changed my life’
Get in the sea! I grew up near the coast, always loved swimming as a kid. Then life got in the way: I discovered partying and struggled to hold down jobs and responsibilities. For years, I had a recurring dream about floating in really cold water and feeling so calm and at ease. I realised I needed to swim again – but since I find the noise and smells and people in swimming pools hard to cope with, I tried the sea. Now I’m addicted to it. My husband, Paul, and I moved to the coast last year, partly because of my desire to be in the sea. It has changed my life. Claire Dearden, Northumberland
‘Spending time with people of all ages gives you a different perspective’
Make time for people of all ages. If you only hang out with people around your age, you all have a similar worldview. Being around different generations gives you a different perspective – and this keeps your sense of adventure alive. It’s easy to slip into a routine – but then you blink and you’ve gone two years without doing anything out of the ordinary. Recently, my youngest wanted to go up a mountain to see the snow. I wasn’t keen but was so glad I made the effort. Kymon Hill, managing director of a catering company, New Plymouth, New Zealand
‘Go on an inner adventure’
Around menopause I moved toward what I call “inner adventure”. I really began to meditate with discipline and purpose. I went on long silent retreats, exploring breathwork and other techniques. At first, I still did lots of travelling and music events. Now, the inner explorations are far more exciting and have brought me to a level of contentment and happiness I never would have even imagined. Quilley Powers, retired social worker, paralegal and meditation retreat manager, California, US
‘You don’t need to go all in’
You don’t need to go all out to experience adventure. Images of surfers riding overhead waves or skiers funnelling through couloirs can be inspiring – but also intimidating. I took a surf lesson on waves that were all of shin-high, not expecting much, but the sheer thrill of it was on par with my best skiing days in St Anton. I looked terrible, and probably got a few laughs, but being lost in a new experience in my 50s made the rest of the world dissipate for a few perfect moments. Isn’t that what we’re all really seeking in adventure? Duff Armour, artist, Quebec
‘I’ve turned every bike ride into an adventure’
When I retired at 60, my wife, Lynne, bought me a good-quality, mid-priced off-road bike. Every ride has become an adventure and I do it whenever I can – mostly alone, but occasionally with friends or family, and once a week with a group. As my wife rarely cycles, I use my cycle routes to plot walks we can do together. My outlook on life has improved, and I am getting plenty of exercise and fresh air, as well as meeting new people. Occasionally I come to a dead end, but more often than not I discover a new trail that I add to my ever-expanding library of adventures. David Cross, retired IT manager, Buckinghamshire
