Microadventure in the pandemic

Six years ago, I wrote about a wacky Englishman named Alastair Humphreys, who coined the term ‘microadventure.’ A veteran of typical adventuring — cycling around the world, rowing across the Atlantic, that kind of thing — Al (as he likes people to call him) changed his focus.

He began looking for a different, more accessible kind of adventure — encouraging people to find ways to expand and enhance their lives with short, smaller jaunts outside, closer to home. He figured that kind of adventure would be easier, cheaper, less daunting, and most importantly, much more likely actually to happen. As he puts it, “The world of expeditions can appear elitist and exclusive. With microadventures I wanted everyone to feel involved.”

It’s a great concept to revisit now, as we are flattening the curve of the coronavirus outbreak by staying close to home, away from others. In fact, microadventures are really the only ones available to us at this point.

Actually, most of what Humphreys calls microadventures aren’t even allowed right now. We can’t jump on a train for someplace rural. We shouldn’t leave our homes or yards except as necessary. So we’re talking mini-microadventures.

Such as?

Camping in the backyard. Or in the living room!

Using the campstove (or a small campfire) (or a beer can stove) to make dinner outside on the patio. Devising a scavenger hunt within eyesight of the house. Finding a little patch of nature outside your back door. Using a bird guide (online perhaps) to do a 24-hour bird count from the front steps.

People are taking on running every street in their towns (while maintaining social distancing). And then there are people running marathons in their back yards — or even on their balconies.

But the point is the same. As Humphreys says on his website, “a microadventure ought to be fulfilling, challenging and worthwhile.” In these strange times, every day is challenging, in a way. Having microadventures can redirect the challenge, pushing us toward choices that are fun and de-stressing, and easing the worrying chatter in our minds.

I hope that the idea of microadventures can be useful in giving shape to our way of thinking about life during the pandemic. Even under restriction, we can discover, learn, and experience.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that, as Humphreys himself says:

“There is no overseeing committee. It doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you do something.”