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Asking Yourself, What Should I Do With My Life?

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Midlife Woman standing on a mountaintop with her arms raised.

Consider saying yes to adventure

If there’s one thing we know for sure is that adventure is about reconnecting with your curious, vibrant spirit and designing a life that feels both exciting and meaningful. This isn’t about grand gestures or breaking records; it’s about staying open, trying new things, and finding moments that make you feel alive.

You may be thinking, hmmmm I’m interested, but, I have no idea what I want or where to go from here. You’re in the right place, grab your journal, find a cozy spot and let’s find your spark together. Begin by exploring journal prompts about what adventure means to you and consider the practical ideas for bringing a little more thrill into your daily routine. 

Journal Prompts to Spark Self-Exploration and Adventure Setting

Use these questions to rediscover what makes your heart race, what dreams you’ve set aside, and how you can start bringing those into reality now.

Crazy Big Audacious Ideas:

What was the last (new) thing you tried that made you feel alive? If this question makes you feel stumped, make yourself consider three things that might make you feel alive. 

When you were younger, what dream or crazy idea did you have about what you’d do with your life?

If money, time, logistics, responsibilities, what other people think, or fear were no barrier, what would your ideal adventure be?

What have you always wanted to learn or try, but never set aside the time or money for?

What places have you dreamed of visiting? Why those places? What would it be like to experience?

If you could take a month for yourself with no responsibilities, how would you spend it?

Planning for the Now:

What would it look like to incorporate adventure into your daily life?

Is there something nearby you haven’t explored because you’ve always meant to “get around to it”?

What new activity, sport, or skill would you be willing to try next month?

When was the last time you felt truly challenged? What would it feel like to push your comfort zone now?

What are your core values when it comes to travel and exploration? How can those guide your next adventure?

What are three things you want to accomplish or experience in the next year that would add a bit of adventure to your life?

Midlife Woman standing on a mountaintop with her arms raised.

Reconnecting with Your Inner Adventurer

What type of travel or adventure experience makes you feel most energized—solo, group, or with one friend? Why?

When do you feel the most “you” in new experiences? Is it trying new foods, meeting people, being outdoors, or learning something? What new experiences feel too far out of your comfort zone – which ones feel doable? 

Reflect on a past adventure or meaningful travel experience. What was it that made it special or memorable? 

How do you feel about solo travel or exploring new places on your own?

What qualities do you admire in women adventurers? How could you start embodying those qualities in your life?

Building Boldness:

What small step could you take this month toward a larger adventure goal?

What would you need to feel more confident or prepared for an adventure you’ve been considering?

What would it look like if you fully embraced adventure, not just as a concept but as a lifestyle?

Rediscovering Adventure in the Everyday – Create the Mini Bucket List

Let’s start by redefining “adventure” as something that can be found just as easily in our neighborhood as on a mountaintop halfway across the globe. Sometimes, it’s about a shift in mindset and choosing to do things a little differently. Here are a few ideas to start:

  • Take a New Route: Next time you’re walking or driving, take a detour. Try out new paths, side streets, or neighborhoods and be open to strike up a conversation with a person on a park bench, or pop into a coffee shop you find along the way. 
  • Plan Micro-Adventures: Look up hidden gems in your area—little-known hiking trails, gardens, or historical sites. Plan a day where you explore these places with no rush or schedule. Do a Kombucha tasting tour or find a tea shop that offers traditional chinese ceremonial service. 
  • Try Solo Experiences: If you usually invite someone along, consider venturing out on your own. Whether it’s going to the movies, taking yourself out for lunch, or exploring a museum, it’s empowering to set your own pace and fully soak in the experience.

Creating Your Big Adventure Bucket List  

Think beyond traditional destinations and consider adventures that feed your soul. Here are some ideas for crafting a bucket list that’s as unique as you are:

  • Look into Local Festivals or Events in Places You’d Like to Visit: Travel with a theme in mind—a culinary tour in New Orleans, lavender fields in Provence, or an art week in Santa Fe.
  • Adventure with a Purpose: Consider volunteering vacations or educational trips where you learn a new skill—herbal medicine, wine making, or landscape photography.
  • Recreate a Journey from an Adventure Book: Is there a trip that resonated with you from a book? Follow the steps of a character you loved, even if it’s just for a day or weekend.

Practical Tips for Starting Your Adventure Journey Now

Sometimes, the hardest part is just knowing where to start. Here are a few practical ideas:

Adventure with Friend(s): I guarantee you’re not the only one looking for an adventure buddy. People love to get invited – find a local event that looks interesting and see who wants to join you.

Commit to Monthly Goals: Set a new adventure goal every month. Whether it’s trying a cooking class, tackling a new trail, or spending the weekend exploring a nearby town, keep the energy going.

Make a Vision Board: People who create vision boards do them for a reason – they create focus and intention and weirdly they are effective – the things that get put on a vision board tend to happen.

Finding Inspiration Everywhere

Books and stories of women who have dared to step outside their comfort zones are great ways to get inspired. From solo journeys to late-in-life transformations, these stories remind us that adventure is truly ageless. Reflect on how these stories can ignite a spark within you, too.

Remember adventure is a mindset, not a location. You’re never too old, and it’s never too late to start living your own adventure story. Whether through small changes in your day-to-day life or by building toward a bucket-list experience, embracing adventure will add joy, excitement, and a renewed sense of purpose. Here’s to your journey—one bold, curious step at a time!

Quote "remember doing something is better than doing nothing".

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