“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” ~ Oprah

I’ve never thought of myself as adventurous. Would I throw myself from a plane? Maybe. And that’s a soft maybe. Would I dive with Hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos? I’d love to say, “heck yes!” But that’s probably another no. Would I squeal with glee as I soar into the sky on that epic swing in Ecuador? Another sweaty-palm inducing idea. But this all got me thinking. What does adventure mean to you?

And after my three months travelling through Europe, I realized something. I am adventurous. Maybe not by others standards. But on that trip, I set out to experience Europe solo, with uninterrupted sight, just me, my carry-on and my journal. I awoke every morning ready to seek out new gems in cities I’ve already devoured. And I set out to explore new cities, learn their history, see their sights, and hear the stories of those who live there. Every day led to endless possibilities. Whether I was hiking to the top of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. Or wandering fields with new friends in Greece to watch the sunset over Meteora. I set out on an adventure. An adventure full of new experiences and reliving old experiences once again with fresh eyes, and creating memorable memories that will last a lifetime.

And so, I got to thinking that adventure can mean many things to many people.  For the Indiana Jones’ of the world, it means jumping out of planes, getting lost in remote jungles, risking life and limb for the sheer rush of it all.  For others, it is in creating a life for themselves by fulfilling their dreams of parenthood, enjoying family vacations to the cottage, and the fulfilment of leaving a legacy.  Adventure doesn’t always need to mean “a daring, hazardous undertaking” like the Webster’s Dictionary says. Adventure can take on varying differences and experiences to different people. I asked some of my fellow travellers to share what adventure means to them…

Lauren Climbing out of Hell Holes Cave in Napanee, Ontario

Lauren of Justin Plus Lauren writes…

Adventure is a new discovery, a different landscape, or a new way of seeing the world. I would consider an adventure anything that takes me outside of my comfort zone or provides me with a deeper understanding of the world, its cultures, and its natural environment. You don’t have to necessarily travel halfway around the world for an adventure. You can discover new and exciting places and activities close to home or even within your own town. I try to treat every day as a new adventure as much as possible, as I try my best to live every day to its fullest.

Morgan of A Beautiful View writes…

To me, adventure is walking out your front door and not knowing what will happen next – approaching every day and all situations with a sense of openness and exhilaration. Of course, there are the more extreme adventures like hiking Mt. Everest or jumping from a 100-foot cliff, but you don’t have to be a thrill seeker to experience adventure. In all the best stories, adventure occurs when the lead character embarks on a new experience, encounters certain roadblocks or difficulties, learns something important about herself or the world, and finds a way to overcome. Every single day can be an adventure if you approach it with the right attitude.

Silvia of Travellina

Silvia of Travellina writes…

I was a part-time rock climber until I was put away after a nasty fall.  I attempted a comeback but the physical pain was so strong that it took all the pleasure out of it.  From then on, unable to climb I thought I was not an adventurer anymore.  I kept on with my other life; a fancy high-heels executive, dealing with international affairs on a busy television network.  Until the day I woke up and realised these shoes no longer fitted me.  They felt so tight that the month after I was quitting and driving into the unknown market of travelling and writing.  With no safety net to catch me, I felt more scared than I ever did on a wall.  But it was worthwhile.  It made me realise that adventure doesn’t necessarily mean going to remote places and putting myself at risk.  Adventure is finding out what makes our lives meaningful and risking it all accomplishing it.

 

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Kim of She Loves to Travel writes…

Adventure means many things for me. Adventure means getting over one’s shyness and taking a leap by crossing over to other countries. This enabled me to get out of my comfort zone and face my shyness because you can’t hide behind it when travelling by yourself. Adventure means making new friends because that old adage of a stranger is a friend you haven’t met yet is so true when you are travelling. Strangers become friends, people you can travel with because they share the same mindset as you in wanting to see more of the world. Adventure means getting lost in a new city but finding it isn’t as scary as you thought it would be; that getting lost only adds to the adventure you are finding yourself in the country (s) you are seeing.

 

Me in Gimmelwald

What does Adventure mean to me?

Adventure is in heading out into the world, into the unknown, trying new things, visiting new places, meeting new people and learning new things. I can even manage to find adventure when I set out to explore a local favourite town by seeing it in a new light, from a different perspective. It means getting outdoors, hitting new trails, and standing on cliffs overlooking epic vistas. For me, the thrill of adventure is wandering the streets and alleyways of foreign as well as local cities. And getting lost only to realize I’ve found life! Life in its walls, in its shops and cafes as well as the driving force that makes a place unique – its people.

Life is an adventure, no matter how you choose to live it – but remember, Live It! Live it to its fullest, every moment of every day! You never know, but the next choice you make may take you on an incredible adventure!

What does Adventure mean to you?