Adventure according to Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson is the mum behind The Wandering Rumpus Site which is an amazing resource for families that love to travel. This week she is taking about how becoming a mother changed her definition of adventure and I just love her new found perspective. 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” Helen Keller

 Becoming a mother has changed my concept of adventure, no doubt. Before having my 3 daughters, adventure meant a trip somewhere new - something spontaneous that took me outside of my current location. Traveling to places like Ireland or Alaska; Belize or Italy. Hiking on the Appalachian Trail, road tripping across the U.S. or backpacking through Europe as a teenager. Adventure meant travel that pushed me out of my comfort zone and into a new world of diversity, independence, experience and possibility.

Now that I have 3 young girls, my definition of adventure has shifted. First, I’ve learned that raising children is quite an adventure in and of itself, ha! But, my concept of adventure is no longer JUST about me – now I have 3 little ones to whom I want to teach and model adventure. I strive to push them out of their comfort zone and into the world of possibility that I know is out there. I aim to nurture them so that when they grow up, they too choose adventure. My husband and I do this through travel with them – to new places, countries and communities - but also through books and food; through relationships and experiences – both to new places but also right here where we live - in our backyard & in our community. I want to teach them to be brave and to find that sense of adventure within themselves – to adventure into activism and change; community and acceptance.

I suppose my definition of adventure hasn’t changed as much as my perspective, thanks to my girls. Now, adventure still means stepping out of my comfort zone (and teaching my kids to do the same) but it encompasses so much more than just travel and becomes a lifestyle, a mindset, and a catalyst for changing the world in all its adventurous beauty.