Microadventures and finding time to GetOutside
I heard something the other day that stopped me in my tracks. It was a radio advert for a heart charity and a young heart attack victim said that she’s always considered herself to be active, but actually she was just busy. It could have been me speaking. I’m always on the go, always on my feet, and I like to think I’m super fit and active, yet I’m not really. I’m just busy.
So, over the last couple of years or so, I’ve made time to be more active, specifically I’ve made time to get outside. I have the same pressures as a lot of people, but it is always possible to find time for a microadventure.
As much as I would dearly love to, it isn’t possible for me to go hiking up mountains every week (or even every month). So I carve out a small amount of time to do something fun outside as often as I can. My microadventures really are very small. You don’t have to climb a mountain or risk life and limb for an adventure to be worthwhile. I’m talking about getting up early to watch the sunrise, or finding a new park to explore with my son or simply eating my lunch outside for a change. These are the sort of things that anyone can squeeze into their day, however busy they may be. If you need more ideas, the king of microadventures Alastair Humphreys has loads of ways to get outside and squeeze a little more adventure into your life.
A good example is one of our recent family outdoor jaunts. We decided to have a picnic in a local wood but, as the weather was a little cool, we took our small camping stove and some backpacking meals along. It was a lot of fun, and anything that involves warm food and a cup of tea is a winner for me!
It’s such a wonderful time of year, and although we were only out of the house for a couple of hours, it felt so much longer. It felt like time slowed down and I could just enjoy the present moment with my family. It’s great to be able to take the time to notice the smaller details, like bluebells appearing around us, or the different birdsong in the trees. We found a great spot, just off the main track where a large fallen tree provided a great table for our outdoor kitchen (and an excellent climbing frame).
Something that is also important to us is involving our son in our little adventures, and this was the perfect opportunity. He loved collecting sticks for the stove, it was also a good time to reinforce some safety rules before we go camping again.
As we sat around eating our lunch and sipping our tea, I couldn’t help thinking that these moments are incredibly important and so worth protecting. Next time you want to get outside but don’t have the time or the money, think small. Don’t worry that what you’re doing isn’t big enough, the important thing is that you’re doing something.
If you’d like more ideas, check out this article on microadventures that I wrote for the Ordnance Survey GetOutside blog.
Have you enjoyed any microadventures lately? Let me know in the comments below.
Micro-adventures are definitely the approach we take, I think it’s the perfect solution if you have kids. Your son looks so grown up now Lauren, I was looking at my posts from last years 30 days wild yesterday and thinking the same about my kids – one of the best things about blogging is all the photos that we have 🙂
Definitely, we really are lucky to have some great pics, time goes so quickly it’s a good way to keep track of all our little adventures.
This is a great post, I think microadventures are the way to go with toddlers! Love it- have shared on facebook.
Thanks so much for sharing, really appreciate it!
Also thank you for the linky! #adventurecalling
We love microadventures too. Perfect with small children.
This is a great post as the majority of people don’t have time to go on big treks or climbs. We try to have mini adventures too and I like the fact that you have pointed out the difference between being active and busy! I had never thought of it that way but you are right! Thank you for the post, I enjoyed reading it very much. #adventurecalling
Totally agree – I am always on my feet – busy!! My favourite times are when we all just go into the woods for a bit of an explore as a family – nice and simple – fresh air and no cost. I haven’t done it for 2 weeks and I miss it, Sarah# adventurecalling
Yay Get Outside! And I am a huge fan of a whistling kettle! #adventurecalling ?
I think I’m the same, thinking I’m fit but really maybe just a bit busy too. Something to think about, that one. Hot chocolate in a flask up the woods not far from ours, is always a winner with my bois.
I love the idea of micro advenadventures and totally agree that children gain so much confidence exploring outdoors. We try and get outside add much as possible #adventurecalling
Totally agree with this. Alastair Humphreys really captured the inherent adventurous spirit of a nation with his concept of “Microadventures” and this is something that we try to practice as often as we can. Taking a path that we´ve never taken before; removing our shoes and walking through the streams; exploring a small cave; making a den; these little moments in nature often turn out to be the most fun and memorable. Great post! #AdventureCalling
Love the sound of microadventures. #adventurecalling
I love your Micro-adventures approach. I too have the same problems because of having young kids. We usually end up going to the local parks and woods. We are so very lucky to be living near such green area. #Outdoorbloggers
This is something I need to do. I am guilty of trying to plan big days out at weekends (which don’t always happen) when we could stay small and local and have just as much fun. Taking the stove is a brilliant idea
#adventurecalling
Micro adventures are crucial to us too. I love your idea of taking a stove out on a local walk – think I’ll pinch this one ?
#adventurecalling
That’s a great idea. I’m going to do that with my 2 in the summer holidays, they’ll love it!