Sometimes we are looking for adventure and sometimes a voice inside us cries out “but I don’t want an adventure!” How do we make sure we’re making the most of life without burning ourselves out?
A Common Theme
We’ve seen the episode play out on TV time and time again. A couple or a group feels like their lives have become monotonous and boring. They know they need to shake things up so they plan all kinds of excursions, trips, and adventures. By the end of the episode they are exhausted and simply give up, going back to their old way of living.
It’s not unlike the guy who decides he wants to get in shape and experience a new adventure so he sets out to run 5 miles every day. On day one, he gets about half a mile before he is out of breath, with his hands on his knees sweating like a pig. (Do pigs sweat? Why is that an expression?) That guy must be screaming “I don’t want an adventure!”
A Different Approach
Instead of throwing yourself in the deep end it’s almost always better to work your way up to where you want to be. If you want to start running a 5k each day, try the Couch to 5k plan where you gradually improve by just moving a little more over time until two months later you are running 5k’s (just over 3 miles).
If you want to be a writer, simply set aside a small amount of time each day – even 5 minutes – and grow it over time. It’s not the size of the work that matters; it’s in doing it consistently each day and keeping the streaks alive.
A Healthier, Happier Life
We need to avoid getting to the point we say “I don’t want an adventure!” Life should be adventurous. It should be fun. It should be exciting. Otherwise, over time it becomes unhealthy and makes it challenging to foster strong relationships.
It doesn’t have to be a chore to keep it fresh. Simply have little adventures each day. Change up your schedule a bit. Go to a different restaurant for lunch. Find a humorous website on your break instead of checking the news. Go for a short walk instead of ranting on social media.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed to the point you say “I don’t want an adventure” find the excitement in making little changes in your life each day. Like the Couch to 5K plan, it’s not about big changes: it’s simply about the type of changes that make life more rewarding, no matter the size.
