Explore. Verb: 1. travel through (an unfamiliar area) for the purpose of discovery, “to explore the island” . 2. look into closely; scrutinize; examine; or discuss (a subject) in detail, “let us explore the possibilities for improvement”.
Today we thought we’d share some of the things that have been inspiring us to get out and explore and also to journey within and discover more about ourselves.
Cool quotes that Do What You Love lives by…
- “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag
- “Sometimes, you need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are and who you want to be.” – unknown
- “Don’t exist. Live. Get out, explore. Thrive. Challenge authority. Challenge yourself. Evolve. Change forever. Become who you say you always will.” – Brian Krans
- “Explore. Dream. Discover” – Mark Twain
- “When you explore your fears then you set yourself free” – Stephen Richards
- “I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.” – John Cage
- “To get something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.” – Unknown
Interesting websites, articles and blogs
Explore your creativity. Photo via blacksburgbelle.com
- Would you like to be more creative in your daily life? We love all the ideas April Bowles-Olin shares in her blog for creative entrepreneurs, especially 101 creative habits to explore
- What’s your muse? Exploring new ideas…
- 50 ways to open your world to new possibilities
- How to reach your summits: What does being an explorer mean to you?
- Where next on your list of places to explore? China’s rainbow mountains, Greenland’s buried ice canyon, Turkey’s underground city, or Africa’s Sunland Baobab – the tree house with a difference? Click here for inspiration and ideas.
Zhangye Danxia Mountains, China. Photo via wattafukk
Make yourself a cuppa, press play and be inspired…
- Celebrating exploration 45 years after the first moon landing – The North Face: The Explorer
- At the age of 25 Dave Cornthwaite left his job as a graphic designer and embarked upon an adventure that would take him all over the world. His Expedition1000 project is considered one of the most ambitious adventure projects of all time. Twenty-five different non-motorised journeys, each in excess of 1000 miles. Watch him in action here.
- National Geographic Live! Daniel Raven-Ellison shares new ways to explore
- Travelling – how to just do it!
- Why bother leaving the house? Explorer Ben Saunders talks about why it’s important to experience, to engage and to endeavor, rather than to watch and to wonder…
Reads we love… on soul searching and exploring creativity
- 344 Questions: The Creative Person’s Do-it-yourself Guide to Insight, Survival, and Artistic Fulfilment (Voices That Matter) by Stefan G. Bucher
- Surface Treatment Workshop: Explore 45 Mixed Media Techniques by Darlene Olivia McElroy and Sandra Duran Wilson
- The Mandala Workbook: A Creative Guide for Self-Exploration, Balance, and Well-Being by Susanne F. Fincher
- Explore Your Past Lives by Paul Roland
- The Writer’s Retreat Kit: A Guide for Creative Exploration and Personal Expression by Judy Reeves
- Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Flavor for Mixed Media: Weekly Projects for a Year of Creative Exploration by Mary Beth Shaw
… and on exploring the world:
- Explore Everything: Place-Hacking the City by Bradley L. Garret
- 1,000 Places To See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz
- My Life As An Explorer by Roald Amundsen
- The Accidental Adventurer: My Wilderness Years by Ben Fogle
- The Global Suitcase: Inspiring Stories of Adventure from 25 Intrepid Travel Writers by Mary J. Dinan
- Off The Map: Lost Spaces; Invisible Cities, Forgotten Islands, Feral Places and What They’ll Tell Us About The World by Alastair Bonnett
- Only Planet: A Flight Free Adventure Around The World by Ed Gillespice
Nowhere is off limits. No idea is too crazy. Plan your next adventure today!
- Secret Compass: leads pioneering expeditions to the most remote regions on earth and creates imaginative experiences for adventurers around the world. www.secretcompass.com/about
- Inspired Breaks: specialises in gap years for grown ups; voluntary work, teaching and adventure travel for people aged over 30. www.inspiredbreaks.co.uk
- Hands up Holidays: offers short experiences (one to four weeks) that combine eco-sightseeing and volunteering. www.handsupholidays.com
- Year Out Group: offers programmes in more than 90 countries worldwide which include voluntary work, cultural exchanges, expeditions and work placements. www.yearoutgroup.org
- Trailfinders: can help you plan an independent trip. It offers advice on everything from round-the-world flights to complicated, multi-stop itineraries. www.trailfinders.com
Appy exploring! 5 useful apps…
- Trover: use this to visually explore the best of everywhere, whether around the corner or around the world. Now is always the best time for adventure!
- Triposo: with this app you can instantly download a detailed, illustrated guide to the country or city you’re exploring and see any places worth visiting pinpointed on a map.
- Findery: Findery members find and leave notes around the world, telling stories about the places they’ve found and loved. Locals and visitors share personal stories, hidden histories, celebrity gossip, interesting facts to make the world around you come alive.
- Explore.org: enjoy live streams of wild animals, including bears, puffins, monkeys, and pandas, plus dozens of galleries of wildlife photos and nature movies.
- Google Earth: lets you fly around the planet with a swipe of a finger and explore pretty much every mile of it.
There’s a big world out there and all of it is yours…
Your happiness and your destiny depends on you: your motivation to lead the life you imagine, your courage to dive right in and explore the unknown, your dedication to learn and grow, and your determination to keep going, even when the going gets tough. Life is about discovering what you are able to do and without stepping out of your comfort zone and venturing into the unknown you’ll never know what you’re truly capable of.
What are you going to explore today?
