Ditch the routine. Get out there and explore!
Seeing life through the eyes of a child again
Routine will inevitably come into your life at some point. This can be a comforting feeling to some – the ability to make an educated guess as to what will happen next in our lives, and the possibility of turning off our “fight or flight” mode for a bit. Routine definitely has its uses.
The term ‘Black Sheep’ originated from the rare occurrence of a black sheep being born into a herd of white sheep, due to a recessive trait in its genes. This is sometimes how certain people have looked at me throughout my life of haphazard wandering, exploring, and adventuring. I admit I haven’t taken the easy route in life – I do get the urge now and then to do something off-the-wall; something completely different from the mundane routine. I don’t blame people for not understanding why I do what I do… especially if they’ve never really let loose and traveled outside of the ‘tourist circuit‘.
Instead, I try to explain a concept that has been ingrained in humans and other mammals since possibly the beginning of time: Exploring the world gives new perspectives, new opportunities, and keeps your mind and body healthy!
Human curiosity will always drive us to research and explore the Unknown. It’s in our genetics. Our ancestors traveled to survive – to find sustenance, shelter, and safety. Past civilizations have migrated for trade, religion, and enlightenment. Even at a very young age, the human mind makes us get out there and check out our surroundings. I am convinced that this very concept is responsible for my so-called irresponsibility to society!
“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” — Wilfred Peterson
Traveling is like seeing everything “through the eyes of a child”. Everything is new, fresh, and exhilarating. I try to use this in my everyday life back at home, but it can be difficult – often hindered by our prior ‘conditioning’. All of our lives up until now, we have been bombarded with a flood of limitations and impossibilities. We choose to believe these things because we’ve been trained to think a certain way. Go through school, go to college, find a career, get married, and have children. Stay in your comfort zone. It’s easier that way!
No I’m not being sarcastic – it really can be easier to follow that path, but imagine what we’re missing out on! You can still get your education, maintain a good job, and have a family! Just be sure to give yourselves the time and opportunity to see things from a different perspective. Get out there and do what our genes have been trained to do: Explore!
So there is a scientific explanation to the ‘travel bug’! Great article and much appreciated!
so, I’m not crazy after all! Good to hear this perspective from someone other than myself!
You make a good point about the ancestral connection… I think Darwin would agree with both of us as well. I do believe that adventure and exploration is indeed ingrained in our genetics. All of this may possibly come down to our survival instinct.
Solid article Phil! As for our ancestors, most certainly there has to be a genetic connection to the need for travel that we feel!
I knew I’d have at least you in my corner on this subject, Nikolaj! Varen potovanje!!
Routine is for the weak. It’s a great way to stay comfortable though…
You are so right about us being trained to think there are limitations when it comes to truly living our lives. I’ve also felt like a black sheep many times but that didn’t hinder me to pursue my own style of living, based on adventure and exploration.
Cheers!
[...] start this month with the Global Guru’s Ditch the Routine – Get out there and explore. Fantastic article – what really bought it home for was the caption below the photo below, [...]
Thanks for the mention! I like the collection of articles you have on your website.