When it’s all said and done, some of our stories are way better in the telling than they were in the living. Adventure Educators call these experiences Type Two Fun (TTF). TTF happens when the fun things like brutal weather, poor decisions, and getting lost have been replaced by showers, clean clothes, and good food. At that point, it’s easy to smile and laugh about whatever gnarly thing just happened.
So, what’s the point of heading into situations with uncertain outcomes that might be enjoyable only when they’re over (TTF) when we could stay safe and comfortable living a quiet life of consistent Type One Fun (that being fun from tip to tail)?
Ultimately, it’s the balance of Type One and Type Two fun which makes for the sweetest stories. We love it when adventures go as planned! There is no question; experiencing total happiness when everything is just exactly right is truly exceptional.
On the other hand, when we’re jettisoned into the unexplored country beyond our comfort zones, we discover surprising and powerful parts of ourselves and our abilities. These transformational revelations are available to those who are willing to endure.
In Adventure Education, we learn (among other topics) how to facilitate transformational experiences for diverse audiences. Many of our students anticipate being responsible for designing and delivering adventures, leading groups in gorgeous places, and enjoying awe inspiring journeys. Leaving their ordinary lives, groups often experience challenging moments with the expectation that these will ultimately lead to deep satisfaction.
What we know, from years of making this happen, is hardships make for sweet stories, and these sublime landscapes, amazing experiences, and new relationships far outshine any lingering bad tastes. Often, tales of TTF are told and retold while the lessons they generated hold meaningful places in our lives. Our perspective is shifted, and our awareness broadened through the challenges we face.
While encounters with Type Two Fun can be easier to find on wilderness trips, opportunities to expand our sense of self exist even within our routines. As Adventure Educators, we strive to highlight the adventures available to everyone no matter their position. Starting the day without checking email? Daring! Going for a walk at lunch? What might happen?! Even visiting a different yoga/spin/cross fit class or brushing our teeth with our nondominant hand requires moving into unexplored spaces. Engaging fresh and unknown outcomes is always an option no matter how mundane our lives seem. Is there any time to walk and will it be relaxing? Will the world fall apart if I sit quietly doing nothing for five minutes? We’ll only know if we go. And even if a new enterprise is uncomfortable at first, it will probably make for a great story later.
Try it out.