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Sometimes I feel like I play it too safe. I may have the best intentions, but more often than not I find myself retreating to a place of comfort rather than a place of yes. Perhaps in my mind, the most perfect weekend would include exploring a new place, bringing a picnic lunch, and getting lost in our adventure. Instead though, it seems easier to sit on the couch and watch another episode of a favorite show, or cook the same meal we had last Sunday.
My best self ventures out, follows through with the dreams I have in my head, and always always tries new things. She says yes more than no, and isn't one to turn down an invitation. So why lately have I found myself getting stuck in a rut? When I get like this, my spirit feels heavy and life doesn't appear to be as sweet as it really is. Luckily, spring is here, and with that gust of warmer air comes a renewed sense of self, inspiration to get outdoors, and more daylight to accomplish the most exciting of plans.
Now that I am the mama to a one day rambuntious boy, I need to start exercising my adventurous spirit. I want to be a good example to him, I want to be sure he grows up feeling wild and free, like I did. And maybe with the right outlook, he'll manage to keep his adventurous spirit alive for all time. Mine's there, but just hidden under layers of comfort and routine. So -
Here's to taking impromptu day trips, with the windows down and the music up!
Here's to picnic lunches by the creek and long walks shaded by the springtime branches!
Here's to quick stops to check out roadside attractions!
Carnivals! Beaches! Farms and parks!
Parades, antique shops and fruit stands.
I'm looking forward to slowly but surely becoming more adventurous, and I hope you'll join me. I'm excited to reawaken some of my child-self, and live life a little more fully.


I am the same way! In fact, one of my summer goals is to be more open to possibility and, like you said, to say "Yes!"
ReplyDeleteYou put it so beautifully, as usual. Looking forward to following your adventures.
xo,
Sarah
I know exactly how that is. I am always saying that I want to be spontaneous and I know that deep down I most surely am, but when it comes down to it, it is so much easier to just do the same thing I always do.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post Danielle! I wholeheartedly agree with every single thing you wrote!
ReplyDeleteCheers to spontaneity! I find myself in ruts as well, and have to force myself to go along with unexpected adventures. I'm usually always happy I did!
ReplyDelete❤ Katherine
I can so relate to this. I live in one of the most gorgeous places (SF bay area) yet I don't take advantage of all of the amazing opportunities. My husband suggests going to Santa Cruz and I'm like, "but the rides are scary, the food is expensive. What if a shark grows legs and attacks us on the beach?!" my son deserves adventure though, so I am making the effort to explore with him.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a super fun, grounded way to start the summer! :)
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful idea! here's to adventures.
ReplyDeleteOh Danielle, I can so relate! I think humans are partial to the familiar, finding it a challenge to stray outside of our routines and whatnot. I also struggle with the fear of making the wrong decision.. but my motto as of late has been "If you live your life with the fear of regret, you'll never live at all". Wonderfully written, and a great way to begin a thought process and hopefully a change! :)
ReplyDeleteImpromptu trips to TUCSON!
ReplyDeleteI would love to feel that way too but here in Southern California the weather has been very weird so it is very hard to get our spirits into Spring yet! Which is a shame because Springs are always so inspirational... But I love your idea! In fact, my husband and I have been spending more time outdoors like reading on the grass in our patio. I know that landscaping your yard is one of your project, but you ll see once it is done will enjoy just spending time adventuring your own backyard...
ReplyDeleteyes! this is exactly what i've been doing for the last few months... lost 21lbs doing it, too! just getting out of the house, getting fresh air, singing to old terrible songs, laughing until i cry... i love spring.
ReplyDeletei, too, am famous for getting stuck in ruts. this is the first year i've decided to really do something about it!
cheers to trying new things!
I was pretty bad at saying yes for a while. Last year I decided there was no more being lazy (for me, it was just laziness) and anytime anyone suggested going out I would take them up on the offer. Even if I didn't really want to go, 9 times out of 10 I'd end up having fun anyway.
ReplyDeleteYes!! This is wonderful! I'm going to branch out and hit up the farmers market this summer! :) Thanks for this boost!
ReplyDeleteI think we all have our comfort zone and it's far too easy to stay within the confines of such a zone.
ReplyDeleteI always say that we don't want kids now because we want the time to be able to just get up and do what we want, but far too often we end up on the couch again, making the same old meals and watching the same old shows. We're going on our first vacation together in almost 4 years soon and it'll be the first big adventure for us in awhile.
Thanks for the reminder and I, too, look forward to following your adventures.
i'm in a rut too lately. during our busy season we can work wks (sometimes months) of 60+ hr wks. so when i do finally have a wkend to myself, i have no idea what to do. so i just end up sitting around. which is fine for a few wkends, b/c i need the rest. but after that i start getting antsy. i hate being stuck at home. :/ great post though. i'm looking forward to pushing myself to get out there more. :]
ReplyDeleteyou go girl! i've been trying to appreciate the little things and just be more proactive in general. it all starts with the desire so i think you're off to a good start! :)
ReplyDeleteAh you really hit the nail on the head with this one for me. I was just talking with my hubs Tim the other night about how we need to get out more and be more adventurous!
ReplyDeleteOMG TWINS!! http://www.keytomytart.com/2011/02/irrational-worries.html
ReplyDeleteWell said! Hope you have an adventure!
ReplyDeletethis totally speaks to the phase i am going through in my life.
ReplyDeletethank you for your sense of adventure, it is infectious :)
LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that there is no such thing as waiting for the right moment. That we convince ourselves to not do something because it's not the right time. It's just an excuse not to do something!
ReplyDeleteWe need to get out there and say yes more!
Amen to that sistah!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a breathe of fresh air! I think I'll join you in the adventurous spirit!! Now to find something fun to do?
ReplyDeletei totally get this danielle. now that henry can walk i've been even more aware of it all too. like when he's wandering off somewhere my first reaction is, "no! come back here!" but really, what is it going to hurt if he leads us to a new side of the park or into the overgrown "forest" of bushes out back. i am constantly needing to remind myself that a few bug bites and dirty feet are worth the adventure of discovering the unknown with hen.
ReplyDeletei'm also discovering that the things i feel the least motivated to do or the most unsure about end up creating my most cherished memories.
I know I often play it too safe. This has inspired me. :)
ReplyDeleteI dont usually comment, but feel compelled to after reading this post. I am the mother to little kiddo's a bit older than your little guy, mine are 10 and 8, and I have found that they have a natural instinct for spontanuity and adventure. They seek out fun things to do and see, and what may seem a bit of a non event to us, say chips in paper for tea on the beach(UK Mama!) is exciting for them. Don't stress that you may have lost your sense of adventure, that little guy will make sure he finds it without you even realizing!
ReplyDeleteaww you're so cute. and i'm the same way, doing random things is really what makes life. i always love reading your posts!!
ReplyDeletei am definitely going through a lull right now. thanks for waking up the adventurer in me! it's been nagging at my hems all month!
ReplyDeleteYay for adventures! =]
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend and I finally have an ENTIRE day off together on Wednesday. We're planning on finding the nearest mountain and going on a hike. <3
so true. being a mama has a way of keeping you in and turning hours into weeks into months. i fell into that very same routine with max.
ReplyDeletebeing adventurous can be exhausting with tinies in tow...but always end with the best kind of reward!
i can't wait to see all the adventuring you and your little family get yourselves into.
<3
I totally relate! We just have to encourage ourselves a little more, and go for it!
ReplyDeleteI am very much a creature of habit myself. Not until I was in the late 20's did I realize that sometimes you just have to go for it. Like yesterday...I had a roast in the oven ready for a good ol' relaxing Sunday night. Instead, I turned the oven off, bundled up the boys and had our first bonfire of the season. We went to bed late, dirty and full of take-out dinner. But sometimes those are the best days! :))
ReplyDeleteDani, I'm so excited to watch all of your adventures unfold, ESPECIALLY in the spring and summer because I have had the exact same feelings regarding a winter ennui and the surge of energy and excitement that comes with Summer! Sending you lots of warm thoughts and good vibes! xo Rachel
ReplyDeletewhen I was a kid, we took day trips up through Prescott, Sedona, Jerome, Globe, Miami, and Flagg. There are so many neat seasonal festivals and secret places in northern Arizona.
ReplyDeleteI have so many good memories!
I'm sure you'll have lots of great adventures once you open yourself up to it! ;)
xo.
carnival, beaches, farms and parks? sounds ideal!
ReplyDeleteI really love this post Danielle! I have to try to shake myself out of that kind of low too. My son's 16 months old and I want to foster his curiosity and sense of adventure. It's really easy for me to let difficult nights turn into boring days so I've got to watch myself. Thanks for your honesty! I can't wait to see what you and Henry do over Spring - it's getting wintery here in Australia so everything's wet! I'm going to have to get creative! :)
ReplyDeletei love this post, and i too can relate. feel like i'm always working on being more adventurous or spontaneous - it doesn't come natural to me.
ReplyDeletegood luck!
I like this! I think we all could use a reminder to not play it safe and say yes to a new adventure! Thanks Danielle!
ReplyDelete