The stories we tell ourselves about who we are have a tremendous impact on our decisions. As a teacher, I saw the students who believed that they were good at math, be happy to try new math problems. Students who thought they were good writers, eagerly scribbled away in their journals, and students who believed they were good at sports, tried out for all the extra-curricular teams. When they believed this was who they were, they sought out and accepted experiences that matched their understanding of who they were. However, what we believe about ourselves can be limiting too. I saw students that I knew could handle challenging math questions, never attempt them, because they thought they weren’t good at math. Maybe you, like me, don’t consider yourself adventurous. How is that affecting your life?
Reconsider Adventurousness
I never considered myself to be adventurous. But recently, I’ve come to understand that I have “adventurous” all wrong, and that changes everything. I used to think of an adventurous person as someone who backpacks in remote locations, climbs cliffs and jumps out of planes. Sure, those things are adventurous by anyones’ standards but so are a lot more things. I broadened my understanding of adventurous.
Adventurous: willing to take risks or to try out new methods, ideas, or experiences.” – Oxford English Dictionary
A More Inclusive Definition
When I considered the actual definition of adventurous, I suddenly understood that I’ve been adventurous without even realizing it! An adventurous person tries new ideas and experiences. Have you read books, or watched podcasts or videos about new ideas? Maybe you’ve taken a course or taught yourself a new skill. Have you tried something new, such as visiting a new place? It could be a new country overseas, or a new restaurant near your home. These are adventurous acts! Perhaps you’ve learned a new method of growing tomatoes, or learned how to post on social media. Being open to trying new things is what makes us adventurous.
Risky To Whom?
I think that I was always caught by the “risk” element of adventurous. I’m not comfortable with the physical risk that I thought adventurous implied. (You won’t find me swimming with sharks.) Then, I re-thought what “risk” means. It’s a very subjective word, isn’t it? What feels risky to you, may not feel risky to someone else. However, if it feels risky to you, it is, in fact, a risk. Your nervous system will be dealing with it as a “risk.” Now, consider all the times you’ve done “risky” things. There are many activities that I’ve done over the years that have felt risky to me: zip-lining, vacationing alone, starting college in my fifties.
Adventurous, Confident And Brave
As an adventurous person, I have the courage to try even more new things. My opportunities have widened. Being adventurous gives me more confidence to say, “Yes.” I know that my nervous system can handle risk. I can do adventure! I bet you can too!
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