This word is connected to Playfulness on so many levels. Adventure means to be open to new experiences. It is daring to try new things. Not just travelling but in life in general. Be ready to take chances and see where they will lead. It is also connected with fun. You go on an adventure to have fun. Often not knowing what to expect but still excited and willing to do it. Sometimes, an adventure also means that you encounter obstacles that you need to face and find solutions in order to move forward. An adventure can be exciting, fun and scary at the same time. But what is very interesting is that you always remember it and describe it fondly. Right?

 

As a good girl, I have mostly selected to follow the obvious options. Not that I have never done extreme things, on the contrary. But they were not always conscious choices. I sometimes made them to please others. Now, it was time to embark on my own adventure where I will be the captain, making all the decisions. 

 

I wanted to be more open to taking chances and trying different things in my personal life but also in my career. I wanted to see my life as an adventure that excites me and not be afraid of taking a step towards the unknown. 

 

We are all trapped in our comfort zones, surrounded by what we know, which sometimes does not even make us happy or produce the results we want. But because we are familiar with the situation, we get stuck there. I wanted to break this pattern. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and say yes to life, say yes to the unknown and go all in. See life as an adventure, and not overthink my decisions as long it was something I wanted (and not to please someone else). 

 

Adventure became my Word Of The Year, and from day one, I was into it! 

 

One of the first “crazy” out-of-character things I did was accept an invitation to go to Mallorca. I had never been, and I said yes without giving it a second thought. And, maybe you’re saying, that’s not so crazy, let me tell you about the circumstances. 

 

In the past, I would have been very polite and diplomatic. I would have said: “Thank you for inviting me”, “What a great idea”, “I would love to come, but I have to check my schedule”, and I would have found a way to decline, giving a plausible excuse, most possibly about work commitments. How could I go? I didn’t really know her! 

 

She told me she was married with two small children, and I could stay with them. They had a spare bedroom at their home. That would have been another red flag for me. Go and stay at someone’s home I have never met in person? I have trouble sleeping at my friends’ places, let alone at someone who is almost a stranger! But 2024 was all about doing things differently. Taking chances. So, I did. 

 

I went, and we had a great time. Her husband and two kids were adorable. If I had said no, I would have missed this experience. 

 

I said yes to many other things this year. A new lifestyle and a lot of trips with more people I hardly knew. I went to London three times, to the South of France twice, to Bordeaux and Edinburgh. Through them, I made some great lifelong friends. I realised how much it pays to be open. At my age, it's not so easy to make new friends. Find people that you genuinely feel compatible with and look forward to spending time with. People you can share your most intimate secrets. Well, I did this year. And it’s all because of my Word Of The Year. 

 

Another thing I started because of Adventure is pole dancing. Yes, pole dancing at my age! I’ve been thinking about it for at least five years but never proceeded to actually do it. Until now! During my summer vacation, I met two women who were into it, which renewed my desire to try it. This time, I was determined. As soon as I came back home, I searched online and found the schools that were within walking distance from my house. By now, I have learned to trust that what is best for me will show up. I don’t overthink when I have to make a choice. I trust the Universe, God, my inner self or whatever you want to call it. 

 

As it turned out, the school I chose is one of the best. How do I know? Because I make my life very public on Social Media and share almost everything, including tips on how to live a happier, more balanced, fulfilling and awakened life. So I got my confirmation about the school from other women who have been pole dancing but were not so public about doing it. 

 

Needless to say, I am the oldest there. Well, almost. They told me there is another woman who is one year older than me. She is advanced and does amazing tricks. But she has been pole dancing for years. To the rest of them, I could be their mother! 

 

After the first class, all my muscles ached, and I had bruises everywhere. When I messaged my teacher to let her know, she answered back that these were my medals that I earned with my sweat! And that is exactly how I felt! I was earning medals for trying, for being there, for daring, for not comparing myself to the other girls who were half my age, and for having an incredible, fun time while exercising. 

 

I am still attending classes, and it’s becoming more enjoyable every time. I am still the weakest and probably the worst one in the execution of the tricks, but I don’t care. I just love the time I spend there. And you know what? The girls ask me where I find my positive attitude and if I can tell them my secret. The secret is that I am finally living my life exactly as I want to, without caring what other people will think of me.

 

But my biggest Adventure this year is embarking on this journey. Writing my book. I have been wanting to write a solo book for a few years now, but I never sat down to do it. Maybe I felt scared or was not sure how to go about doing it. This time, I see it as an adventure! One that I love. One that I am inspired to take and have fun along the way. And, I am not doing it alone, like I would in the past. I have asked for help. I have my coaches to guide me and cheer me as I move forward. 

 

So far, it has been an amazing journey. And I have to thank my Word Of The Year, Adventure, for it. It has taught me that it is never too late to try new things, take chances, go all in, trust my instincts, not be afraid, live in the now and enjoy every moment.