Ep.57 Freedom From Monotony: Disrupting the Ordinary by Infusing it With Adventure

Feeling stuck on the treadmill of life and yearning for a bit of mischief? Join me, Zoe, on the Mischief Movement Podcast, where we challenge the ordinary and spark adventure in our everyday routines. You don't need to climb Everest or backpack across Europe to find excitement—sometimes, a small change in your day can do the trick. Let's infuse a sense of play and curiosity into our daily lives, turning the mundane into opportunities for growth and joy.

In this episode I'll give you practical tips so you can break up the monotony and infuse your life with a little more fun and curiosity. I promise it's possible to break free from those ruts and routines and all it takes is stretching your comfort zone ever so slightly. Remember, life is too short to be anything but bold and rebellious...

Chapters

• 0:00 Embrace Adventure in Everyday Life
• 11:25 Stay Connected With Mischief Movement

Transcript

Zoe Greenhalf: 0:00

We crave adventure because it wakes us up. It snaps us out of that same old, same old feeling. Hey there, welcome, or welcome back to the Mischief Movement odcast. I'm Zoe, your guide on this journey to shake up the status quo and design a life that truly makes you feel alive. If you've ever felt disconnected, stuck on autopilot or trapped in a life that feels more like a treadmill than an adventure, you're in the right place. I know that change can feel scary, so let's turn down the fear and crank up the fierce as we transform your life from the inside out. Whether it's solo episodes packed with actionable advice or interviews with some absolute badass human beings who've dared to defy the norm by living life their way, we're here to inspire, activate, empower and challenge you each week. My mission is simple to help you reawaken your rebel spirit, break free from mediocrity and design a life that's anything but dull. You only get one wildlife, so what are you planning to do with yours? If you're ready to stop settling, start living boldly and create a positive impact along the way, let's dive in and stir up some mischief together. Now buckle up and let's go. Hey Mischief Makers, welcome back to another episode of the Mischief Movement podcast.

Zoe Greenhalf: 1:30

Today we're diving into something so close to my heart, and that is bringing a sense of adventure back into your everyday life. So if you've ever felt like you're stuck in a loop on a treadmill doing the same things over and over, just waiting for the weekend to feel alive, well, listen up, because after this episode, you're going to be looking at every day with fresh eyes, ready to inject some thrill into even the most ordinary moments. And no, you don't need to scale a mountain or book a last minute flight across the world for this. We're talking about adventure in the everyday, those little choices that shake things up and keep life exciting. So let's get into it All right. What does adventure really mean, then? When I say adventure, most people think of epic holidays, adrenaline-fueled activities or bucket list experiences, and yes, those are incredible, but they're not the only way to live adventurously. So here's the thing adventure is really about mindset. It's about stepping outside of your usual routine, trying something new and welcoming a little bit of discomfort into your day. Living a life of adventure doesn't mean you have to quit your job and move to Bali although, of course, if that's on your list, then I'm absolutely cheering you on. Then I'm absolutely cheering you on.

Zoe Greenhalf: 2:43

It's about finding ways to shake up your day-to-day life, to experience things with a sense of curiosity and maybe even a dash of rebellion. Let me share something personal with you. For years I've lived by the motto do one thing every day that scares you. Now I don't mean it has to actually scare you, like facing your deepest fears every day. No one needs that kind of stress.

Zoe Greenhalf: 3:10

What I'm really talking about is doing things that get you a little uncomfortable just outside your regular comfort zone. For me, it's simple things like striking up a conversation with a stranger, or taking a road I've never driven down before, choosing a weird new flavour of ice cream instead of my go-to favourite, or even winging something I'd normally plan out in detail. It's these little moments that inject a sense of play, fun and curiosity into your everyday life. A sense of play, fun and curiosity into your everyday life, and over time they add up to something much bigger, something that makes life feel more exciting, more alive. It's a bit like shaking up a snow globe you don't have to turn your world upside down, but give it a little shake and suddenly everything looks different.

Zoe Greenhalf: 4:05

Why do we get stuck in the same routine. Why do we end up in this autopilot mode, doing the same things day after day? Trust me, I have been there and I know what it's like to just feel like you're living life on repeat. This is the whole groundhog day. Especially when I became a new mum, I found things very much. I was looking at life through that sort of lens.

Zoe Greenhalf: 4:31

Our brains love routines. They make us feel safe and comfortable, which is great. When you're crossing the road or brushing your teeth, those routines keep us alive. But when it comes to our emotional and creative lives, routines can turn into ruts. We crave adventure. Want to know why? Because it wakes us up, it snaps us out of that same old, same old feeling. But too often we ignore that craving because we think adventure has to be this massive, life-altering thing. So, spoiler alert it doesn't. You can find adventure in the tiniest shifts, and today I'm going to show you exactly how to do that. All right, let's get into some real practical ways that you can bring adventure back into your everyday life. These are things that you can start doing today, no matter where you are or what your life looks like.

Zoe Greenhalf: 5:25

So choose the unfamiliar Next time you're faced with a choice, whether it's what to eat for lunch, what book to read or even which route to take on your walk. Go for the unfamiliar option. Pick the thing you wouldn't normally pick. It might seem small, but these little choices create new experiences. And when you start making these small, adventurous choices, they build up your confidence to take bigger risks down the line.

Zoe Greenhalf: 5:57

Talk to strangers. I know, I know talking to strangers is drilled into us as a no-no from a young age, but some of the most interesting moments come from those random, unexpected conversations. Say hi to someone in a coffee shop, compliment a stranger on their outfit. That's a really good one, especially if you're a bit of an introvert like me. Or just chat to the cashier. You never know where these tiny interactions can lead Maybe a great conversation, maybe even a new friend, or maybe just a moment that breaks up the monotony of your day.

Zoe Greenhalf: 6:34

Take a different route. So next time you're walking or driving somewhere familiar, choose a different route, even if it's a longer way around, even if you have no idea where you'll end up. Taking a new road helps you to see things from a fresh perspective and reminds you that there's always something new to discover, even in the most familiar places, so you could literally jump in the car and do this on your way to work, wing it once in a while. Here we go. This one I find particularly difficult For my fellow planners out there. This one's for for you. You've got to skip the detailed preparation and see what happens, whether it's a meeting, a dinner or even just deciding what to do for the afternoon. Go with the flow. It's scary at first, but it's also really, really freeing. So trust yourself to figure it out as you go.

Zoe Greenhalf: 7:27

Go on mini adventures. You don't need to plan an entire trip to feel like you're on an adventure. Go on a mini adventure in your own town or city, explore a neighbourhood you've never been to, visit a museum or try an activity that you've always wanted to try but never got around to. These little adventures help break up the routine and spark new energy in your life. Make up the routine and spark new energy in your life, and if you're looking for some help with this, I can really recommend a writer called Alistair Humphreys. And there are three books that spring to mind when I talk about these kind of mini adventures. These are My Midsummer Morning, Micro Adventures and The Doorstep Mile. So, even though he's a bit of an explorer and he's done all kinds of huge trips, he's also written these books, which are a bit more about creating adventures right where you live. So it doesn't have to be big and intimidating and expensive, they can just be small things.

Zoe Greenhalf: 8:29

So the power of embracing discomfort right. The reason we avoid adventure in the everyday is because we don't like feeling uncomfortable. We like our safe little boxes where we know exactly what to expect. But the magic is, when you embrace a bit of discomfort, you grow, you expand. Every time you choose the unfamiliar or take a little risk, you're pushing the edges of your comfort zone, and the more that you do that, the more confident and capable you become. Plus, that's also where all the fun happens. Nothing memorable or exciting ever comes from staying in the exact same place doing the exact same things. You don't have to jump out of an aeroplane. If you're feeling a little tingle of fear about trying something new, it's a pretty good sign that you're on the right track. So I want you to ask yourself what could adventure look like in your life? It doesn't have to be big, it doesn't have to be grand, it just has to be something that nudges you out of the ordinary. Maybe it's booking that art class you've been thinking about, or finally going on that solo hike. Maybe it's signing up for something that scares you just a little because deep down you know you want to Remember.

Zoe Greenhalf: 9:48

Living adventurously is less about what you do and more about how you approach life. It's about staying curious, staying playful and giving yourself permission to break away from the expected. The best part about bringing adventure into your daily life is that it builds momentum. The more you shake things up in small ways, the easier it becomes to take bigger, bolder steps. You'll start to see opportunities you never noticed before and you'll feel more confident saying yes to things that once felt out of reach. This isn't just about adding a little fun. It's about building a life that feels vibrant, alive and true to you. Alr ight, mischief makers, it's time to shake things up.

Zoe Greenhalf: 10:38

So your challenge for this week is to do one thing every day that makes you feel a little uncomfortable, whether it's trying something new, talking to someone, smile at them if you don't want to talk, or take in a different path. Whatever it is, lean into it and see what unfolds. And, when you do, share your mini adventures with me on socials. Tag me in your stories, send me a DM. I want to hear all about how you're adding adventure to your everyday life. I'm sure none of what I've just said is new to you, but maybe you'll appreciate the friendly kick up the ass to take some action. Remember, life doesn't have to be one big waiting game until the weekend. Adventure is waiting for you right here, right now.

Zoe Greenhalf: 11:25

That's a wrap on another episode of the Mischief Movement Podcast. If today's content stirred something in you, let's keep in touch on Instagram or connect with me on LinkedIn. You can even click the link in the show notes to sign up to my Mischief Mail newsletter, where you'll get exclusive insights on upcoming episodes and your chance to submit questions to future guests. Buth, don't tell anyone, it's our secret. For more info on ways to work with me and some fun free resources, check out the website themischiefmovement. com. Until next time, stay bold, stay rebellious and, of course, keep making mischief.