“Sometimes all you need is to climb a simple hill, to spend time staring at an empty horizon, to jump into a cold river or sleep under the stars, or perhaps share a whisky at a small country inn in order to remind yourself what matters most to you in life.” – Alastair Humphreys in Microadventures: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes
When one hears the word “adventure,” we often think of backpacking through the Galapagos Islands, climbing Mount Everest, or even trekking through the Amazon. Yes, those certainly are adventures, but the word isn’t just reserved for grand excursions or faraway places. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! An adventure is whatever you make it; something that rekindles your sense of wonder and amazement. What if we told you that your next adventure is waiting for you, but instead of it being a bold expedition, it’s actually right outside your front door? If we’ve piqued your interest, then you’re in for a micro-wild ride as we discuss microadventures!
So, What Are Microadventures?
Coined and popularized by Alastair Humphreys, a British author, adventurer, and motivational speaker, ‘microadventures’ are short, local, and perspective-shifting outings that fit into the rhythm of everyday life. What makes them so great is that they’re accessible to just about everyone, meaning you don’t have to be much of an outdoorsy person to avail of the fun! It’s most often used to describe an overnight outing; one with little to no expert gear required. However, the term is loose enough that it can be adapted to a variety of experiences, allowing you to choose the duration, location, and scale of the adventure!
Why You Should Choose a Microadventure
As days trickle into years, life can sometimes get in the way of living – we wake up and traverse our day-to-day without much excitement, allowing memory to mesh into one. But research shows that adventuring – new experiences, exploring the unknown, and stepping outside of your comfort zone – boosts serotonin, the wonderful hormone that secretes happiness! Not only that, but it allows us to be more adaptive to change, become better problem-solvers, enhance our resilience, gain knowledge, and rediscover the joy of learning.
Herein lies the beauty of microadventures – anyone can join in! You don’t have to be a health guru or fitness expert. The whole idea is built around your average Joe (or Jane): those who are juggling their day-to-day schedules, but desiring to fit in some quality “you” time. It’s also highly sustainable, and we can’t exactly argue with that. But before you think “I don’t have time for something like this,” remember what we mentioned earlier: it can be something that requires as much (or as little) time as you have. Without realizing it, you’ve gone on microadventures plenty of times. Now, you’re entering with the mindset that you’re about to embark on a small quest of growth and development (and a whole lot of fun)!
Let’s Plan Your Microadventure
The whole fun of a microadventure is that they generally require very little planning (and some will require just a little more than others). Regardless, we’ve a few tips to start you off. Firstly, pick a location that’s not too far away – maybe 2 hours max! Pack light for whatever it is. Perhaps just some snacks, your phone, your wallet, and if it’s something requiring some exercise, then some appropriate gear (of which we’ll have a few suggestions a little later on). Make sure to gather the general details like the weather, safety considerations, and how you’ll get there and back. Most important, too, is to have a backup plan in case your original plans get derailed, because let’s face it, sometimes life just throws a curveball!
Microadventures to Try
The simplicity of a microadventure is that it’s whatever you make it to be – an outing that excites you, brings you peace, or, dare we say, thrills you! If we apply Marie Kondo’s logic to this topic: “Does it spark joy”? If yes, then go for it! And if the idea of something new brings a fear of the unknown, then that’s an even better reason to try a microadventure. Now, it’s nearly impossible to provide an exhaustive list of every kind of microadventure, but what we can do is provide some suggestions for each season, and perhaps that might inspire even more ideas!
Spring
- Sunrise wildflower walk
- Picnic in a park that’s new to you
- Try paddleboarding, kayaking, or snorkelling
- Camp in your garden and stargaze
- Explore rivers and waterfalls
- Go metal detecting in a stream or nearby forest.
Summer
- Watch the sunrise/sunset from a beach/viewing point (bonus if it’s during the summer solstice)
- Go for an evening sea/lake swim
- Sleep under the stars in a hammock
- Go for a summer rainy-day walk
- Cycle in the park
- Attend an outdoor concert.
Fall
- Fall forest hike
- Berry picking trail
- Explore a nearby town or village
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Get involved in a community cleaning initiative
- Go for a cold-water dip in a nearby lake or river.
Winter
- Watch a meteor shower or stargaze with cozy blankets and hot cocoa
- Organize a winter solstice lantern walk
- Visit nearby frozen lakes or waterfalls
- Winter bird watching and feeding (if allowed)
- Snow sculpting or snowman making day
- Sledding or a sleigh ride.
Essentials for Your Microadventure
Let’s continue our conversations from earlier – your gear! Because there are so many different kinds of microadventures and they’re extremely malleable, there’s only so much we can suggest! We’re gonna delve into the basics for some light walking, hiking, trekking – basically, anything that may involve the most ‘prep.’ For starters, a backpack will almost always come in handy. In it, you can keep your water bottle, power bank, first-aid kit, hat, and snacks or a packed lunch box! If you’re out in the sun, don’t forget SPF, and if you’re doing a midnight excursion, pack an extra flashlight! Lastly, don’t forget layers, waterproofs, and camping gear (if necessary).
Extras to Make Your Microadventure Magical
Before you mark the beginning of your very first microadventure, we’ve got a few recommendations to add a touch of memorability! Grab a journal, and after every excursion, write down how it made you feel – any reflections, challenges, realizations, or simply just how much fun it was! Make sure to document it with some pictures, which you can print and make into an album, or add to your journal. You could even get them printed onto keychains or photo prints, especially if it’s an experience you shared with others, and you can then pass them around as gifts or mementos!
Life is so much more than meetings, drop-offs, and routine. It’s about finding new ways to challenge yourself; to grow, laugh, and realize that you’re capable of anything you set your mind to! If you’re planning an adventure abroad, check out “Soft Adventure Travel: A Beginner’s Guide to Low-Key Thrills,” and if you’re planning something solo (kudos to you), be sure to read up on some “Top Tips for Traveling Solo.”
Adam is a Content Specialist from Kerry, Ireland. His passions include going for long runs, video games, a love for animals, coffee, and travel!
