When was the last time you did something for the first time? What have you been putting off trying for years? When we think about adventure, a lot of times we think about traveling the world and doing extravagant things. While I am the biggest proponent of taking every travel opportunity that you have, my own wanderlust has been met with the restrictions of being a college student. This has forced me to discover how to be an adventurer without actually wandering too far away. I’ve found that there is no end to the cutting-edge things in life. It doesn’t matter how small your town is or how much money you have, there is always a way to broaden your horizons. Here are some tips for making life more bold and beautiful, even when it’s already busy and expensive:

1. Admire your environment. Grow where you’re planted. How about for once we want what we already have? Traveling is great, but make sure that you’re already getting the most out of living in your own area. Your town/city has something for you. Accept all that it has to offer.
2. Sing at the top of your voice. In the shower, in the car, in the choir. Never let the world silence what you have to say. Not only does the activism and courage of your own voice add to the richness of your life, but it also beautifies the world around you (especially if it comes from a pure and honest place).
3. Appreciate food. I bet you haven’t been to every restaurant in your local area. If you have, I know you haven’t tried everything on all of the menus. Food is the easiest aspect of culture to explore. All you really have to do is go to the grocery store and grab some funky ingredients to throw together. Even more, you can research and try a new fad like fasting, a juice cleanse, or veganism.
4. Indulge in music. Mainstream radio is alright but don’t you get tired of listening to the same four songs over and over again? Get lost in a chain of YouTube playlists or dive deep into the discover section of Spotify. Adventurers know that good music inspires.
5. Take on a new hobby. Planting herbs, birdwatching, jigsaw puzzles, painting classes; What’s something that you’ve always wanted to try and why haven’t you tried it yet??
6. Get off of your computer!!! Use the Internet as a resource for ideas and then peace out. Sure, there's nothing wrong with spending time on your computer...until you remember that by doing so, you're wasting time you could be spending trying new things!
7. Have a rich spiritual life. No matter what faith background you come from, practice whatever it is that gives you hope and a sense of purpose. Our lives are all adventures. Spirituality reveals the allure of the mundane that we may not be able to recognize otherwise.
8. Set up little challenges for yourself. It takes 21 days to form a habit. Are you ready to stop biting your nails or to start going to the gym every day? The hardships of training yourself to do something new will amplify the end result of your story.
9. Read.Books take you to new places. If they’re good enough, you might even want to stay.
10. Watch movies. Like books, movies can make you forget where you are. Just make sure that you let them inspire you rather than serve as an excuse to sit around without putting their influence into action.
11. Stop being afraid of what people think. The fannypack, map-bearing tourist would tell you that it’s much easier to look ridiculous in a place where no one recognizes you. I would tell you that it’s more fun to be ridiculous anywhere. Don’t let other people’s reactions hinder your fearless experiences.
12. Introduce yourself. People are the epitome of uniqueness. If you’re looking for something new, look no further than your fellow humans. I guarantee that everyone has an interesting story to tell. Be courageous and strike up a conversation with your waiter or your mailman. Listen and learn from the lives of others.
13. Take pictures. Even if you don’t think you have anything exciting to take a picture of, the act of doing so will help you to see things from a different angle and maybe even gain a grain of gratitude along the way.
14. Make a gratitude list. Speaking of gratitude, how can we recognize the unusual or exciting without consciousness? Make a list of everything that you’re thankful for and you might see something adventurous in your day-to-day that you’ve never noticed before. Then, go grow that gratitude list.
15. Embrace the things you already love. Become an expert in the field of whatever brings a smile to your face. Practice it, study it, be creative with it, keep loving it, and let your adventure come from it.

Money is not holding you back. Neither are your circumstances. You can build the exciting life that you’ve always wanted right here, right now. To be an adventurer, you have to accept the notion that you're just that. Give yourself the freedom to accept adventure as a lifestyle, and run like the wind with it.