The Arctic RowerFinding joy in an aimless adventure is the remedy for ‘destination addiction’
- Focusing on a finish line or specific outcome is a recipe for a life unfulfilled as you miss the experience itself
- An expedition without a particular goal is practice for letting go of the outcome to enjoy the adventure in the moment
Casting off by kayak from Oban, Scotland, my partner and I did not know where we were going – and it was liberating. The pair of us had started with a vague, overly ambitious idea of kayaking 700km to the Outer Hebrides and back, but settled on rounding the west of Mull and across to its more famous cousin Skye.
As we rounded Mull it far surpassed our expectations in terms of beauty and wilderness. Huge sea cliffs towered over us and pristine white beach after pristine white beach appeared around each headland. Contrasting weather on each day added to the variety – one day we had flat seas and clear blue water. The next day we were battling headwinds as waves spilled over our kayaks.
As Paul Loudon and I stared across to Skye from Mull, we decided we did not want to waste precious days on open water crossings when Mull had so much more to offer. We changed our plans on a whim, and circumnavigated Mull instead. Our trip was far shorter, and the route was completely different, from our original plan.
But who cares? Our goal was not a particular distance, destination, speed or world record. It was just to have an adventure and have fun. Our goal was very much achieved.
This is the joy of aimless adventure. The pleasure is entirely in the journey itself and not the outcome.