Notelets on Nurture #10
Embracing everyday adventures
I’m excited to bring you my first guest of the year for Notelets on Nurture, a periodic Sunday series where I make space for curiosity, creativity and connection.
Since returning from a recent trip, which I touched on in a post about crossing from my thirties to my forties, I’ve been thinking about how we can make adventure part of the everyday.
The last time we went abroad was in 2019. A memorable road trip to San Minato with stops in Amsterdam, Germany, France and Switzerland. On arriving in Italy, we spent a few days by Lake Como, then made our way south to our home for the summer—a picturesque town between Florence and Pisa. We enjoyed five weeks there before Cora embarked on her own journey of starting school.
As someone who used to be a frequent traveller, this is a long time. But life's recent chapters—the journey to (and of) pregnancy and this season of postpartum life—have rooted us closer to home. And, yet, this proximity to the familiar hasn’t dimmed my lust for adventure; it’s just redefined it.
We've revelled in the untouched beauty of Kylesku on the North West Coast, the otherworldliness of Glen Dye in the Scottish Highlands, and the breathtaking coastlines of Cornwall. And our relocation to the Scottish Borders has deepened our appreciation for what’s on our doorstep.
Adventure doesn't necessitate crossing into new cities or countries; it's about embracing the every day and the enjoyment it can bring. And it's in this spirit of finding magic in the mundane that I invited
, the writer and photographer behind , to inspire us to uncover tiny pockets in our days and weeks for new ways of living and being.“Life is a blank canvas, and you need to throw all the paint on it you can.”
― Danny Kaye
Katie is based in The Lake District, Cumbria, and is the creative force behind Postcards From. There, she combines accessible ideas and itineraries to encourage us to seek out micro-adventures, which don't need to be defined by distance!
A visual storyteller who also happens to be a branding client of mine, Katie champions the idea that these discoveries are available to all, ready and waiting to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Adventurer Alastair Humphreys coined the term micro-adventure, which he defines as an overnight outdoor experience that is "small and achievable, for normal people with real lives.” But to Katie, it is a state of mind, and you can enjoy all kinds of “getaways” with the right attitude.
Katie recently published an article about her lessons from a year of micro-adventures so do hop over to read that if you’d like to learn more about this and her plans for the year ahead.
Micro-adventure ideas
with Katie May Chesworth
Having everyday adventures has truly changed my life and brought a newfound joy. Each weekend, I try to have a mini experience, whether that’s a walk, browsing a bookshop or a bike ride.
But why start prioritising these moments?
For me, exploring feeds the soul. It helps me clear my mind, enjoy new things, and meet new people. You can gain new perspectives, expand your comfort zone, and have fun.
Experiences are what make us human, and they make us unique. And finding ways to embrace the core of adventure and what it means to us will help us live happier and healthier lives.
Here are five micro-adventure ideas for the month ahead:
Browse a bookshop: There is nothing more fun than browsing a bookshop, especially on a rainy day. It's an activity the whole family can enjoy. And you get bonus points for quirky bookshops and independent bookstores!
Enjoy a wonder walk: Grab your camera (the one on your phone is perfect!) and head outdoors. Take in the views, look for details and snap some pictures along the way. This is a brilliant time to go as winter turns to spring.
Get creative: If the weather’s grim and you don’t fancy heading outdoors, perhaps you can stay indoors and try a new skill. Maybe the crafting project you’ve been meaning to do or an art class you’ve seen advertised locally!
Hop on a train: So often, we get stuck in the routine of taking the same journeys, so why not head to your local train station and buy a ticket to somewhere new? And remember, the journey is as much about exploration as the destination.
Watch the sunrise (or sunset): There’s something so satisfying about getting up to see the sunrise. Fill a flask with your favourite hot drink and head to a good spot to watch. I always use the free app, Alpenglow, to plan ahead!
Remember that you can turn so many things into a micro-adventure! I hope you have fun exploring in a way that feels good to you.
Thank you, Katie, for reminding us that we can weave more fun into the fabric of our daily lives. It's a call to action to live more freely and fully and appreciate what lies on our doorsteps.
My own recent micro-adventures have included discovering local walking routes with my youngest, getting creative and printmaking with my eldest, and, if I have the space, relocating to my local cafe for a spot of daydreaming. I'm also considering how to make slow travel a part of our lives and work again.
What micro-adventures will you embark on? Inspired by Katie, I'm planning a wonder walk all of my own.
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Love this invitation. I spent an otherwise guilt free hour browsing my guilty pleasure which is the ‘self help’ section of my local Waterstones instead of the more learned, literary sections. I usually get a few tips then leave. But because I always feel compelled to support bookshops this time I left with ‘The Art of Rest’ by Claudia Hammond. So my next adventure will include finding a coffee shop to read it without interruptions.
I love these suggestions of a micro-adventure, especially the trip to the bookshop, always a good idea! And framing these things as a micro adventure maybe puts us into a more curious and creative mindset as well x