Inside: Need a little more happiness in your day? Try these micro-adventures to bring a smile to your face.
Do you ever feel like life is a little bit… monotonous?
You definitely aren’t alone.
Most of us have lives dictated by our schedules, constant demands, and things we need to do. We wake up, navigate our morning routine, go to work, come home, wind down, go to bed… and start again the next day.
While a sense of security and stability of routines bring comfort, a little more excitement and spontaneity would be a welcome change.
And you can create that change in your life by incorporating some micro-adventures into your day.
A change of scenery, a chance to try something new, a small surge of adrenaline – with a little intention and effort, you can make it happen. And it might be easier than you think.
Not sure how you can brighten up your days and shake up your routine? Here are a handful of micro-adventures you can incorporate into your life to break the monotony, make memories, and have more fun.
12 Micro Adventures for a Happier Day
Add a little happy to your day by trying at least one of these micro-adventures.
Micro Adventure #1: Explore a new neighborhood.
Whether you’ve lived in your town for years or you’re a newcomer, chances are there’s someplace you haven’t explored yet. Make a point of getting out there and seeing what it’s all about!
Grab a bite to eat, stop into a new store, check out an art gallery, or enjoy a stroll through an unfamiliar neighborhood park.
Micro Adventure #2: Do something new outside.
Spending time in nature is a literal breath of fresh air. Pair it with a new activity, and you’ve got yourself a little adventure.
Fly a kite in a local park. Rent a kayak or a paddleboard and spend some time on the water. Try your hand at fishing, or yoga in the park, or gardening.
Micro Adventure #3: Make a new craft.
Whether you consider yourself exceptionally creative and artistic or it’s been years since you’ve done anything that could be considered “art,” there’s something fulfilling about making something yourself – and something exciting about doing it for the first time!
Before heading to the store, see what craft supplies you already have in your home. Often you’ll find you don’t need to buy anything new and have things on hand you can make use of.
Minimalists can enjoy hobbies. It just takes extra intention to not collect excessive supplies for whatever you’re interested in.
Micro Adventure #4: Try a random recipe.
You’ve got to cook anyway – why not make it exciting? Grab a cookbook, turn to a random page, and make whatever it is you’ve landed on.
Take a quick trip to the store to grab whatever ingredients you’re missing. Then, roll up your sleeves and whip up something new and delicious.
Micro Adventure #5: Order something unexpected at a restaurant.
Do you prefer to let others handle the cooking? That’s ok, too! Pick a new restaurant to try – or revisit an old favorite.
To add an extra element of adventure and excitement, close your eyes and point to something on the menu to order instead of carefully choosing your dish. While I’d struggle to do this, if you like a large variety of food this could be a fun experience!
If you’re looking to save money consider splitting a meal, going for lunch instead of dinner, or eating early so you can order food from the happy hour menu.
Micro Adventure #6: Find the best view in town.
It’s easy to forget how much beauty surrounds us. Find the highest point in town – hike to the top of a hill, drive to the scenic overlook, take the elevator to the top floor, or climb to the top of the parking garage – and admire the view.
Time your trip to align with sunrise or sunset for an extra breathtaking experience.
Getting outside and appreciating the beauty around you is a great slow-living habit that will help you to enjoy your life more.
Micro Adventure #7: Learn a new skill.
Thanks to the internet, you can find YouTube tutorials on anything and everything. Come up with something fun you’d like to learn and spend a few minutes trying to make it happen!
You could learn how to juggle, how to tie a knot, a new way to apply makeup, a different painting technique, teach your dog a new trick, or learn to knit… the list is truly limitless.
Micro Adventure #8: Go geocaching.
If you aren’t familiar with geocaching, it’s like a modern-day treasure hunt. You’ll use GPS coordinates to search out small, hidden treasures – it’s as simple as that.
All you need is a geocaching app and a cell phone to get started.
Micro Adventure #9: Go stargazing.
If you don’t spend much time admiring the night sky, head out on a clear evening with a warm blanket and spend some time searching for constellations and shooting stars. The longer you stay out there, the more you’ll see as your eyes adjust to the darkness.
Another way to enjoy this one? See if your town has a local observatory. Many of them schedule events and invite the public to peer through their telescopes at stars, planets, moons, and more.
Micro Adventure #10: Meet someone new.
Most of us keep communication limited to friends and family – but why not strike up a conversation with someone new?
In a world that’s increasingly focused on devices, conversing with the people who come across your path may be a great way to meet a new friend or just add some joy to your (and hopefully their) day. Engage with people in the checkout line or at the cash register.
Positive interactions with others not only make you feel good but it can also add some happiness to someone else’s day.
Micro Adventure #11: Take a day trip.
While a vacation is the biggest adventure most of us experience on a regular day trip, you don’t have to wait until you can afford the expensive flight and hotel room to make it happen.
Instead, pull out a map, pick a nearby spot you’ve never been to, and plan a day trip. You might be surprised to see just how much there is to do within a couple hours’ drive from you.
Micro Adventure #12: Drive a different route.
It might sound simple, but think about it. When you go to work, head to the grocery store, or visit a friend, how often do you deviate from your usual route? Chances are, not often.
Even if a different route adds a few extra minutes to the experience, it’s an easy way to break up the monotony and experience something new. You could discover something great when you step outside your normal routine.
How can you incorporate more micro-adventures into your day? Leave a comment and let me know!
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I love this article!! I’ve done a few of these, but I will keep the list & work on a few more (or try the ones I’ve done in new ways). Thanks for the list!!
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Christy!
I jave tried some of these steps like cooking ramdom recipes and taking (drive) actually walked in different route this weekend and I could say it gave me a sense of fulfillment. I would love to try the others some other time.