Make Your Adventure Happen
Photos @catseyesgallery
Make Your Adventure Happen Tell us your dreams and how you will make them come alive.
Life is full of opportunities for adventure, but all too often, we let them slip through our fingers due to lack of resources, fear, time or uncertainty.
With a little courage, determination, and planning, you really can turn your dreams into reality.
Whether it’s trekking through the Amazon rain forest, climbing a majestic peak, running a half-marathon in Greenland, cooking in Provence, or simply committing to your first long walk. The first step is deciding to pick an adventure and then working out how to make it happen.
10 Steps to Making Your Adventure Happen
1. Define Your Dream Adventure: What have you always wanted to do?
Take time to reflect. Is it exploring remote wilderness? Immersing yourself in a different culture? Pushing your physical limits? Taking part in a charity challenge?
Write it down and stick it up on the fridge.
For inspiration, explore communities like:
2. Set Clear Goals: Be realistic — what plans are already in the diary?
Beak your dream down into smaller, manageable goals.
When I signed up to run a half-marathon in Greenland, I had an 18-month lead-in. I pinned a calendar to the wall and mapped out my journey — starting with NHS Couch to 5K
Then progressing to a half-marathon training plan and finally extreme cold training with The Environmental Extremes Lab at the University of Sussex:
Listen to stories from women who’ve done extraordinary things on The Tough Girl Podcast
3. Research and Plan
Documentaries are also brilliant for helping you visualise your journey. I love documentaries from National Geographic
Research destinations, logistics, permits, equipment and climate.
Use:
4. Budget Wisely: A long-term budget is key.
Adventures come with a price tag but planning removes panic.
Factor in: Flights, accommodation, gear, food, insurance and inoculations
My injections for Peru cost me an unexpected £300!
Always add a 10–15% contingency to your budget.
Check if you have insurance through your bank account.
Compare insurance through providers like World Nomads
Research flights with companies like Trailfinders
5. Save and open your adventure account today.
If your dream requires significant financial investment, give yourself at least 12 months.
Set up a dedicated savings account. Automate payments.
If fundraising for charity, explore:
You could also seek sponsorship or collaborate with brands aligned with your values.
6. Don’t Let No’s Stop You: Building resilience
When planning adventures, you will encounter “No.” I had lots of no’s’ when planning to live off grid for a month in Sweden!
Have you lived off-grid? No.
Have you camped in minus 10? No.
Are you fit enough to cross-country ski five hours a day? No.
But can you train? Yes.
Turn every “No” into a training plan.
7. Build a Support Network: Find your cheerleaders.
Surround yourself with supportive friends and fellow adventurers.
National Outdoor Expo on 21/22 March
This Expo will be bursting at the seams with people that want to do something!!
8. Overcome Obstacles
Life will throw curveballs.
Leave extra weeks in your training schedule. I always do — for sick kids, Grandma’s new knee, a conked-out car, and random coughs and colds.
Plan for disruption rather than being derailed by it.
9. Take Action: Take one step today.
Book the ticket, sign up for the course and block the dates in your diary.
Look at your next 12 months and identify realistic windows for adventure. Last year I had to plan around A-levels, cataract surgery and building work. It’s never “perfect” but it can still happen.
10. Embrace the Journey
The journey is just as important as the destination.
I start with a large map and a wall calendar. I add photos and ideas to the wall as a visual reminder to keep going.
Pick the adventure.
Set a date.
Work backwards to make it happen.
Post in the comments and tell us — what is your next adventure going to be?
And more importantly… how are you going to make it happen?
Good luck. xx
If you want to expand your comfort zone in the most joyful way possible, join us at The Big Swim 2026 and/or buy your ticket for Meet the Authors Panel and hear their personal stories of how and why they love the water!
Come and take one little step into the sea, you will have 500 people beside you!!
Have you got a big adventure that you have always dreamed of??
Join our brand new 6-week online course for 2026. It is designed exactly for you, if you feel like you’re standing at the edge of a new chapter, but aren’t sure what or how to bring it to life.
You are ready for a change, but lack ideas, confidence, a community and a plan.
Maybe you want to:
- Visit a new country
- Meet elephants in India
- Write a book in Provence
- Visit book shops around the world
- Walk the South Downs Way
- Take a solo trip to Peru
- Learn to cook a curry in Thailand
If you’ve ever felt a pang of respect or envy hearing about another woman’s adventure and wondered whether you could do it, this course is for you! Whatever your age, situation or comfort zone, I don’t believe it’s ever too late to embark on a fresh start.Join our brand new 6-week online course for 2026. It is designed exactly for you, if you feel like you’re standing at the edge of a new chapter, but aren’t sure what or how to bring it to life.
You’re ready for a change but lack ideas, confidence, a community and a plan.