Embrace Adventure: Step Beyond Your Routine

“Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you.” – Helen Keller

Routine feels nice. It’s predictable, comfortable, and easy to settle into—so much so that sometimes, it feels like there’s no reason to step away from it. I get it. I live in Michigan, and it’s February. Scrolling TikTok or zoning out in front of Netflix feels amazing this time of year as we daydream of sunshine and evenings that don’t turn pitch black by 5 p.m. I’ve been there. Honestly, I live it quite a bit. My home is my happy place, a sanctuary of peace, comfort, and love—a respite from the chaos of the world.

But here’s the thing: It’s hard to learn new things when you do the same thing every day. It’s difficult to find inspiration or gain fresh perspectives when you’re living your own personal version of Groundhog Day. Even if you thrive on routine, stepping outside of it now and then can open doors you never knew existed.

The good news? Adventure doesn’t have to be grandiose. Of course, traveling the world is incredible—I’ve learned some truly fascinating things while exploring new places. (Did you know sheep farmers in the Scottish Highlands paint X’s on their sheep to track successful mating seasons? Who knew!). But adventure isn’t limited to plane tickets and passport stamps. Before I got my driver’s license, my greatest adventures unfolded in the pages of books. Those stories inspired some of my first real-life trips when I got older and had the money for them (or credit cards, anyway). Adventure can be as simple as visiting a local festival, taking a class, or striking up a conversation with a stranger. The world is full of fascinating lessons; you just have to look for them.

Through my adventures, I’ve learned some fascinating things. I’ve learned that every season holds beauty, even the bitter cold of a Michigan winter. My passion for learning invigorates me, even if the only time I use newfound knowledge is in a pub trivia game halfway across the world. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I truly know. I’ve proven to myself that I can do hard things, and stepping beyond my comfort zone has given me some of the greatest gifts of my life. Most importantly, I’ve come to understand that I get to be exactly who I was meant to be—no matter what anyone else thinks.

Comfort and routine absolutely have their place, and I cherish the peace they bring me. There’s something deeply soothing about familiarity—the quiet moments at home, the predictability of daily rituals, the sense of security that comes with knowing what to expect. But while comfort nurtures me, it doesn’t challenge me. And I believe that part of my purpose here on Earth is not just to exist, but to evolve—to expand my understanding of the world and my place in it. Growth happens in the moments when I push beyond what’s easy, when I embrace the unknown, when I choose curiosity over complacency. And what better way to do that than through adventure? Whether it’s traveling to new places, trying something I never imagined myself doing, or simply opening my mind to a different perspective, adventure has a way of shaking me awake—reminding me that life isn’t meant to be lived in a bubble.