It's 2018: Time For Adventure.

By Sean Fagan

Lazing by the slow waters of the Avonmore river, east Ireland. For myself, adventure can be small or large (Photo: Sean Fagan).

WHAT ADVENTURES WILL YOU DO IN 2018?

The quote used for the above title of this blog - "Oh darling, let's be adventurers" is next to impossible to reliably source.

Whatever about the origin of this quote, it's easy to admire its fine sentiment.

It kind of begs the question: isn't adventure a part of all of us?

In this blog I've offered some of my thoughts on that very question, some of which may surprise you...

Go for it...

Get out there and have some fun (Photo: Sean Fagan, Southwest Ireland, 2011).

I strongly recommend adventures, large or small, for everybody.

Start planning, but most importantly - do it.

My definition of outdoor adventure is broad and intentionally vague: it's something you do outdoors in nature that challenges you, stretches you, maybe even scares you a little.

Whatever about the definition of adventure - most outdoor adventures have certain qualities.

One typical trait of adventure is the unexpected.

It's one of the timeless appeals of adventure - that bold act of exposing ourselves to the unexpected...

...and adapting to the unexpected can give us a great sense of accomplishment.

But a little discussed point about adventure is how to make our own adventures deeply personal and meaningful.

Making Adventures your Own

Adventure is big business these days.

A lot of of them are great.

But all it takes is a quick peek on Instagram, under the search word: adventure - to give us a taste of the generic feel to many adventures.

It's like adventure itself is being funneled down a restrictive, somewhat cliched view of itself.

Exactly how many images of bronzed climbers hanging off steep cliffs or people standing atop mountain peaks do we need on social media?

What about the quirky, personal adventures that seem to get far less exposure?

Where is the sense of authentic self-expression?

Sometimes, I think it can be really important to avoid following the crowd.

Which is why I believe that most adventures should be personal - something that has a deep meaning for us.

One potential downside of this approach is finding others to accompany you on a shared vision of adventure.

Often, it's not possible or just too much hassle.

Going Solo

Which brings me nicely to my next point: don't be afraid to do an adventure - alone.

Some of my very best adventures have occurred in blissful solitude.

One of the greater challenges of going alone is that it ups the ante on personal health and safety.

When venturing alone, you must make decisions, often daily, that will directly affect your safety and well-being.

That's one of the biggest drawbacks to solo (and group) adventures - it should be backed up with good research and appropriate training before the adventure - to ensure your safety and well-being.

How much and what kind of research and training? That's entirely based on what you are going to do.

Of course, you can wing it.

But don't say I didn't warn you : )

One more thing, large adventures are not for everybody but small adventures are...of that I'm pretty sure.

And many a small adventure has been a source of inspiration and confidence for larger, bolder ventures into the wild yonder.

One of the endearing features of small adventures I love is that they can give the budding adventurer some invaluable experience for larger adventures.

Whatever you do - grab a few adventures by the scruff of the neck and savour the feeling of surprising yourself - of enlarging your perception of self and the world we live in (preferably accompanied with a lot of fun and laughter).

It's a great feeling.