The Case for Adventure

Legs burning. The wind biting my cheeks. Tears streaming from my eyes as the air rushes past. A sharp pinch with every inhale, burning the chill of the air into my lungs. The rhythmic, repetitive drone of the pedals turning as I stare up at what seems to be an impossible climb. Yet, with every lurch forward, I push through the salty air, focused solely on the task at hand: getting to the top. Around every bend, another hill—each steeper than the last—until I round the corner onto Baily Green Road, the Summit Shop to my right. I’ve nearly made it, but the final ascent is the steepest, narrowest, and busiest—full of other tourists who, probably out of better judgment, took the bus to the summit of Howth, Ireland. Meanwhile, I thought biking was a good idea. Nothing but the electric rush of determination and adrenaline can get me there.

Have I ever biked to the top of a summit, even one with only 480 feet of elevation gain (which, I swear, felt at least triple that)? No. No, I have not.

Was it worth it?

Absolutely.

I’m writing to you from Dublin, Ireland, on a week-long trip to the country—though not explicitly for St. Patrick’s Day, it’s a nice coincidence. A generation ago, such an experience would have been a rarity. A generation before that, it would have been impossible for all but the wealthiest few. And a generation before that? Unheard of. Yet, here I am, exploring a true gem of the world, feeling incredibly grateful to be doing so.

The Gift of Modern Travel

One of the greatest advantages of modern society is the accessibility of travel. Never before has a generation been able to conceivably see every corner of the world. Today, travel exists on a vast spectrum—from budget-conscious backpacking to ultra-luxury itineraries. We can scroll endlessly and uncover hidden gems in nearly every part of the developed world, booking flights and accommodations in seconds. We can make a reservation across the globe almost instantaneously and be anywhere in the world in less than a day.

The longest non-stop flight in the world, Singapore to JFK, takes merely 18 hours and covers more than 9,500 miles. What was once a months-long journey reserved for the luckiest among us is now at our fingertips.

My Journey with Travel

Growing up, I didn’t travel often. Living in a small town in western Kentucky made it difficult, as the nearest commercial airport was two hours away…and getting there was only the first step. I was lucky enough to take a few trips: a road trip to Colorado when I was 8, a school trip to New York in the 7th grade, and a visit to Naples, Florida, when I was 14, to name a few. But there was no “annual family vacation” for most of my childhood. The first one I actually remember was our Carnival cruise during my senior year of high school.

Despite not traveling much as a kid, and growing up in a town where someone quite literally told me, “If Marshall County doesn’t have it, you don’t need it,” I have always yearned for adventure. I grew up watching nature documentaries, never finding one I didn’t love. The title of a famous nature documentary was even my go-to password for many years.

As an adult, I’ve increasingly made travel a priority. I’ve been fortunate enough to explore several national parks out west on three cross-country camping road trips, backpack across Europe solo for an entire month, and now, visit this beautiful country of Ireland. Adventure and exploration have become central pillars of my life—if not the foremost.

Adventure is in Your DNA

Contrary to what modern society may suggest, humans are, by nature, adventurers. Every major leap in human history stems from our innate drive to explore—whether it was our ancestors crossing continents and stretching to every corner of the habitable globe, transatlantic voyages in search of new worlds, or scientific advancements that have taken us from the printing press to space travel. We are wired to push boundaries.

And yet, despite living in an era where travel is more accessible than ever, so many people remain stuck in the same routines, the same places, the same monotony. The good news? That can change.

Adventure doesn’t have to mean flying to Ireland and biking up a mountain. It doesn’t require a trip to Bali, a luxury resort in the Maldives, or dining at Michelin-star restaurants. Adventure is about experiential living. It’s about saying yes to new experiences, whether that means a spontaneous road trip, trying a new hobby, stepping outside your comfort zone, or exploring your own city.

How to Add Adventure to Your Life

I fully understand that traveling doesn’t come as easy or as natural to everyone. We have lives, jobs, car and house payments, and responsibilities that we have to attend to. I’m not advocating everyone quit their job and explore endlessly, but I am encouraging everyone to explore the opportunities in front of them to find adventure, no matter how small or grand.

1. Break the Routine – Take a different route to work. Try a new restaurant, coffee shop, or local store. Visit a place you’ve never been—a museum, a park, a new neighborhood. Even if you’ve lived in the same town your entire life, there’s always something new to see.

2. Plan a Micro-Adventure – Jesse Itzler, entrepreneur and author, emphasizes the importance of “mini adventures” to enhance fulfillment and personal growth. He suggests dedicating one day every other month to something outside your usual routine—hiking a new trail, attending a local workshop, or exploring a nearby town. By following this, you’ll accumulate six new experiences every year. Big change happens in small steps. While he is known for his Big A$$ Calendar where you can mark in these mini-adventures, it doesn’t have to be that detailed. Pick a weekend, or a day (maybe a long holiday weekend) and instead of doing your normal routine, shake it up and plan something different.

3. Reframe Travel as Essential – If long-distance travel feels out of reach, there are ways to make it happen. Budget travel blogs, social media, and digital nomad resources have made it easier than ever to explore the world affordably. You can plan a trip to nearly anywhere in the world on any budget, and a quick Google search will provide dozens, if not hundreds, of people sharing how they accomplished it. No need to reinvent the wheel or do all the research yourself, you can find it all for free! If you really want to travel extensively, remote work and digital jobs are one of the fastest-growing markets. Plan six months, a year, or even two in advance—but make a plan.

The Science and Philosophy of Adventure

We aren’t meant to stay put. We never have, and we likely never will—because our brains are wired to seek newness.

Neuroscience and Travel – Studies on neuroplasticity, or our brain’s ability to rewire itself, show that encountering new places and cultures forms new neural connections, improves cognitive flexibility, and increases emotional intelligence.

Stoic Philosophy and Perspective – The Stoics believed that seeing new places expands our worldview, helping us gain perspective on what truly matters.

Eudaimonia and Aristotle – The Ancient Greeks believed that eudaimonia, or true happiness, comes from experience—not material wealth. Travel, adventure, and personal growth are some of the highest forms of personal enrichment.

The world is out there, waiting to be seen. And someone’s gotta do it. So why not you?

Until next time, live uninterrupted.

~ Coleman