Choose Your Own Adventure
Do you remember reading those Choose Your Own Adventure books as a kid? They were some of my favorite ones! They were intriguing and exciting in that I felt like I was literally part of the story because I had control over what happened next. We can recreate that childhood wonder as we purposely design grown-up adventures for ourselves.
In an average month, we can easily find our days becoming boring and monotonous. We get stuck in schedules and routines and before we know it, another day, another week, another month has passed and we're not quite sure where it went. Not so very long ago, we were all forced into our homes because of the pandemic. We found ourselves finding creative ways to shake things up, keep ourselves and our families entertained and active. We rediscovered the joys and benefits related to this month's habits of play and create tenfold. But as days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into a full year and the year turned into this messy shifting back to whatever we're calling this now, many of us have been forced to let go of these moments of fun and creativity because we just plain don't have the time or energy for them anymore. But this is EXACTLY when our resilience needs us to dig deep and reconnect to these moments the most!
As we move through March, we invite you to recommit to seeking out opportunities that tap into your adventurous self. Work to once again redefine the meaning of "adventure." Everyday ways that tap into the curiosity and excitement you feel when discovering something new feed your emotional self and boost your resilience. Since shifting back into in-person teaching and learning, our lives have only gotten more complicated. Opening up daily opportunities to cultivate our resilience is something we need now more than ever.
Make Intentional Adventurous Choices
Plan Your Own Adventure!
Make time! Choose the day, hour, 15 minutes-whatever time you have! Choose it and commit to it by adding it to your calendar.
Choose Your Adventure. Start a list of adventures, large and small, that interest you. Prioritize them by "doability" so you can get one under your belt and find a groove.
Pick Your Partners! Decide whether your adventure will be a solo experience or one filled with fellow travelers. Reach out to those who you may want to invite and start the conversation.
Do Your Homework. Research, research, research. Put in the time well before your planned adventure to hammer out all the details so there are no unexpected barriers like weather, cost, or distance.
Let Go! Let yourself feel all the feels and enjoy every single second. Commit to minimizing distractions as much as possible, including social media or thinking about work or other responsibilities which will all be there when you return.
Remember! Take one photo to record your adventure. Take more if you want, of course, but make sure to take one photo that captures the essence of your adventure. Consider starting an adventure photo album to capture all of your adventures. Let this serve as an inspiration to make this a regular habit.
*Adapted from 180 Days of Self-Care for Busy Educators by Tina H. Boogren
