How to Become Adventurous

The formula for adventure is quite simple: New experiences + courage = adventure. Someone with an adventurous spirit might jump out of an airplane, be the first to volunteer to save someone, or even proactively ask someone out on a date. You may not consider yourself an adventurous person, but with the right motivation and new habits, you'll find yourself exploring a whole new world in no time.

Let go of what's holding you back. Restraint is the emotion that causes discomfort and prevents you from acting freely and naturally. Perhaps you're embarrassed, inexperienced, or afraid. To let go of these obstacles, you need to feel safe with yourself, your surroundings, and those around you.

• Ask yourself why you want to take risks. What do you think you'll gain from it? Are you open to embracing every opportunity? If so, you're on the right track.
• Overcoming physical challenges also requires mental resilience. For example, if you train and climb a mountain, it will challenge your physical capabilities and show you how strong your mind and body can be.
• Do you feel like you have something to prove? Are you seeking attention or pleasure? Do you believe this will boost your self-esteem? Or do you simply want to have more fun?
• Take a few minutes to answer these questions, as they will help you build a plan of action.

Face Your Fears. If you haven't taken any risks by this point in life, fear may be the thing holding you back. Recognizing fear can be simple, or it might just take a bit of introspection (a direct effort to delve into your internal process). The feelings, thoughts, desires, and dreams that you might not even realize are there are real.

• Fear can include things like a fear of public speaking, snakes, or heights. It could also be a fear of talking to strangers, losing a job, or failing a class. At its core, it often stems from a deep fear of the unknown, abandonment, or losing a sense of safety.
• Conquering fear leads to building self-confidence, better thought processes, and action. You’ll learn to take care of yourself. For example, you may feel terrified about leaving your parents' house because you doubt your ability to handle it. But if you choose to take the leap, leave, and realize you can manage, you’ve conquered that fear.
• Use visualization techniques. Imagine yourself taking on a challenge, doing something that pushes your boundaries, and coming out of it alive and well. These challenges might include surfing, horseback riding, exploring your musical talents, or something simpler like asking for a photo with an athlete. Adventure can be big or small.
• You may avoid risks because of uncertainty. You need to go from a place of certainty to uncertainty to break down the mental barriers preventing you from becoming adventurous. For instance, if you hesitate to attend events because you're unsure of what will happen, start with small excursions that gradually build your resilience.

Gather Your Adventurous Feelings. Daring to take risks can lead to a sense of mental freedom, comfort, and readiness to experience life. Opening up to yourself with kindness helps you build personal strength.

• If you need a sense of security before feeling comfortable enough to try something new, consider practicing meditation or yoga to calm down and reduce stress. Once you establish a sense of safety and calmness, you'll be ready for adventure. For example, you might travel to Portugal even if you don't speak the language.
• Create motivation to seek freedom. It's better to affirm to yourself with phrases like, "Everything will be fine; I'm ready to start; or this change will be good for me!" Saying these out loud can be even more effective. In that moment, simply shouting will help release energy and propel you forward.
• Use safety measures. Adventure doesn't mean doing things that are unsafe. Physical challenges require careful evaluation of the risks involved. For example, if you want to learn to sail, you should study the safety requirements and consult experts for advice.

Explore Your Interests. There are times in life when you're too busy to think about what excites you. If you want to become more adventurous, it's important to take time to discover what you enjoy. Maybe you’ve always wanted to travel or spend a semester abroad. You might even find interest in learning set design for theater productions.

• If you want to take risks in your career, try taking an online quiz to help you uncover your passions.
• Talk to someone who's already doing things that intrigue you. Ask them if they have any advice for joining in.
• You might discover a new hobby you didn’t even know you had. For instance, there’s a martial arts gym you pass by every day. One day, you decide to take the risk and go inside. You watch a class, like what you see, and sign up.

Choose a Role Model. You may know someone who is doing many of the things you'd like to do. They might be fearless and always accomplish what they set out to do. They spend their vacations building houses for the poor, kayaking through river rapids, and diving in the ocean. You admire them and want to learn from them how to be more adventurous.

• Select a mentor to help you. This could be a friend, family member, or someone you know at work. Talk to them and ask, “I’m trying to become more adventurous in life, and it seems like you’re really good at it. Do you have any advice for me? Would you mind meeting up regularly to discuss this?”
• You could also model the actions of an expert you don’t know personally. For example, if you admire a marine biologist who has a TV show, you could watch their program and follow them on social media. You might even be able to ask them a few questions via social media channels.

Make a Plan for Adventure. Create a few plans to undertake a new adventure, change things up, or try something different. Decide how often you want to take these actions—whether it's once a day, once a week, or once a month. If you schedule these events, treat them like a "to-do list," and you'll be more likely to follow through.

• Planning an adventure with friends can be fun. Discuss and agree on who will be responsible for what. For example, one person might search for flight prices online, while someone else figures out what to do once you arrive at your destination.
• Consider traveling around the world. With the right planning, you can explore the globe at a surprisingly affordable cost. Research costs in advance to ensure they don’t stop you from pursuing your adventurous plans.

Take Action. You might not enjoy taking risks if you're just sitting back and doing nothing. Even the pursuit of becoming more adventurous is an adventure in itself. Like any other change in life, you need to take action to make it happen. Start with small steps and gradually build towards bigger ones. Understand that every step is progress towards your goal.

• Set limits and boundaries. Taking risks means stepping outside your comfort zone. You might be perfectly fine hiking in nature, but have no interest in skydiving. Know yourself and understand your limits. Don't be afraid to communicate them to others.
• One way to take action is by breaking out of routines. Avoid falling into a rut by doing the same things in the same way. Even something as simple as shopping at a new grocery store can give you a fresh perspective. Taking risks can make you open to new possibilities. For example, you might meet someone at the new store who offers you a job, asks you out, or knows someone you grew up with. These opportunities won’t happen if you don’t take the risk.

Find Others to Share Your Interests With. People often seek out others to share common interests and enjoy life together. Enthusiasm for life is contagious. If you find a group that shares your adventurous passions, you'll likely never feel alone.

• Search for online groups and sift through them to see which ones resonate with you. For example, if you enjoy designing graphic software, you might find a local film festival where you can volunteer. You'll meet people who share an interest in animated films and learn about the process behind organizing such an event.
• Check bulletin boards at school or in public spaces. You’ll find various groups to join and meet new people. Seize these opportunities—this could change your life.
• Attend events and ask questions. For instance, if you’re at a motorcycle exhibition, ask one of the organizers, "This event is amazing! How do people get involved in creating such a fantastic program?" Most people will be happy to chat and share valuable insights.

Cultivate a Curious, Eager-to-Learn Mindset. A curious mind is always asking questions. You can maintain your enthusiasm for taking risks by constantly questioning everything. How are these things done? What do I need to achieve this? Why do we always do things this way? When can we make changes to do things better? Curiosity is the foundation for being adventurous.

• Create situations that force you out of your comfort zone. The discomfort you feel is the first step toward learning something new.
• Read books on topics you’re unfamiliar with, then bring up these subjects in conversation with others.
• Engage with someone who is doing a job you've never done before.
• Observe how people play, work, or unwind with their friends and family. Notice how their actions are similar to or different from yours, and learn from them.

Switch Careers. If you feel trapped in your current job, take steps to find a new one that excites you. Financial stability plays a crucial role in transitioning to a new career. You want to ensure that you have the financial backing to support you during your adventure.

• Review your resume and assess the skills you possess, exploring how they can be applied in a new field.
• You might need to enroll in additional classes to earn a certification or degree that will help you break into the career you love. It may take time, but the rewards will be worth it if you approach it as an exciting adventure that brings you joy.

Consider Moving to a New Town, City, or Country. Sometimes, a change of scenery is all it takes. With the right plan, you can make any change happen as long as you're committed and make smart decisions along the way.

Create a Bucket List. Your bucket list should include everything you want to experience before your time is up. Write down all the things you've always dreamed of doing, such as visiting a baseball stadium in America, swimming across a wide river, skiing the Alps in Switzerland, or meeting a sports icon. Every item on your list should be accompanied by a daring activity.

Make Up for Past Disappointments. It's never too late to try something new. Whether you were too shy to audition for a play or you struck out in the final baseball game, you might feel a need to right those wrongs.

• Make a list of everything in your life that made you feel bad, fearful, or lacking the courage to take risks. Revisit each of these situations and address them properly. If you struck out in the game, join a baseball team and practice diligently. Before long, you'll become the star hitter. What's important is acknowledging your efforts even if you're not a superstar.

Keep Pushing Yourself. Once you experience the rewards of taking risks, you'll realize the effort it takes to make it happen. The positive outcomes will motivate you, and you'll need to keep pushing yourself toward new adventures. Becoming adventurous will energize you, and you can use it as a tool to enrich your life.

• If you feel your spirits sagging, motivate yourself to embark on a new adventure. Let the thought of the reward lift your mood.
• Celebrate your efforts to be adventurous. Encourage yourself by saying, "You’re taking risks because you're striving for a fuller life. Congratulations!"

• Ask your friends to remind you that you're working on becoming more adventurous.
• Continue doing things that you’ve not tried in a while. Cook an unusual dish. Wear something out of character. Ask yourself, "How can I be different?"
• Fear and anxiety can hold you back in life. Seek professional help if you're struggling.
• People you meet can teach you new things that will open doors to many adventures in life.
• Engage in conversations with others. Their adventurous stories can make you feel as if you're living the adventure yourself.
• Always look for new experiences. Film a documentary. Take a dance class. Learn meditation from Buddhist monks.
• Every adventure you embark on becomes a story worth telling. Everyone loves a great story.
• Find a scenic spot on a hilltop or by the ocean that offers an incredible view. This will remind you that a vast world full of adventure awaits.
• Stay healthy. Many adventures require physical effort.
• Try something new that you’ve never done before, and enjoy the process.

• Carry the right equipment. Be prepared and bring everything you need for your adventure. This could be a matter of life and death. Always carry water when hiking and ensure your GPS is fully charged.
• What you consider an adventure might be seen as harassment, aggression, or even dangerous behavior. Do not engage in anything that crosses boundaries.
• Know your limits. You are not invincible.
• There's a fine line between being someone people want to hang out with because you’re fun and someone people avoid because you're always looking for a fight.
• Be cautious when engaging in life-threatening adventures. If you ever feel suicidal, seek help immediately, and avoid putting others in harm's way.
• If you're feeling emotionally out of control and need an adrenaline rush to feel something, it could be a sign of depression. Seek professional help.