Lissy Bauer's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing-life"

As both a writer and an everyday overthinker, I’ve learned something surprising: sometimes, the best way to reset your mindset isn’t through grand gestures—it’s through tiny adventures.

There’s a quiet kind of bravery in shaking up your routine. Not the big, dramatic kind we associate with climbing mountains or quitting your job to travel the world. I’m talking about the courage it takes to do something small, unfamiliar, and just a little uncomfortable… on purpose.

These are micro-adventures. They’re short, simple experiences that challenge your normal. A walk somewhere new. A spontaneous detour after work. Saying yes to something you’d normally decline. They don’t look like much on the outside, but internally, they train your mind to loosen its grip on control, comfort, and predictability.

Resilience Grows in Small Moments

Resilience isn’t something you’re born with or without. It’s something you build, especially in the in-between times—like a Tuesday afternoon in your neighborhood before dinner.

The brain loves novelty. Trying something unfamiliar—even something tiny—can create new neural pathways. You learn to tolerate discomfort. You begin to trust your ability to adapt. That kind of self-trust is the foundation of emotional resilience.

“You don’t have to go far to find yourself. Start with one step outside your routine.”

Think Like an Explorer

Micro-adventures don’t require exotic travel or tons of free time. What they ask of you is curiosity.

Ask yourself: What would happen if I did this differently? That one question can get you unstuck. It reminds you that you still have agency—even when life feels rigid or overwhelming.

Try one of these:

Walk a new path or visit a nearby neighborhood you’ve never explored Try a solo outing somewhere you’d normally go with someone else Switch up your routine just enough to feel a little unsure Take a class or attend an event where you don’t know anyone

The goal isn’t to be productive—it’s to be present.

“Growth doesn’t always look like change. Sometimes it just looks like showing up.”

What Gets in the Way

Often, it’s not time or resources that hold us back. It’s the idea that small things don’t count.

But resilience doesn’t come from spectacle. It comes from repetition. You don’t have to be fearless. You just have to be willing.

This is a theme I explore in more depth in my book Extra Ordinary Adventures: Building Resilience Through Micro-Adventures. If you’re curious how micro-adventures can support emotional growth, that’s a great place to start.

If you’ve had a micro-adventure lately, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. 🌿

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