The headlines say the world is chaos. Wars are happening. Flights are delayed. Planes feel like they’re falling out of the sky. And suddenly the adventure you imagined starts sounding less like joy and more like “if we survive the journey.”
I get it.
But here’s the truth every seasoned traveler knows—and the part the glossy magazines don’t always say out loud: adventure doesn’t only begin when the plane takes off.
Sometimes it begins in your living room.
Sometimes it starts in the car with a full tank of gas.
Sometimes it looks like you and your child discovering joy in the smallest, most unexpected ways.
So if you’re staying close to home right now, this list is for you. Consider it your mom-approved passport to curiosity, wherever you are.
1. Travel Through Movies
If you can’t stamp your passport this week, borrow someone else’s itinerary.
Put on a movie where the main character escapes to a sun-drenched villa in Italy, or finds unexpected love wandering the streets of Spain. Let the scenery play in the background while you fold laundry, cook dinner, or braid your daughter’s hair. Two hours later you’ll realize something very special: Your mind traveled somewhere beautiful—and it counts.
2. Let a Book Take You Somewhere
Books are one of the most underrated travel experiences on the planet.
Choose a story where the characters escape to a lake house, the Hamptons, or an exotic island. Watch how they rediscover themselves, stumble into new joy, and realize life can change with a single brave decision. The best part? Every page quietly whispers the same message: When you’re ready, your adventure will be waiting too.
3. The Underrated Road Trip
Let’s talk about the most overlooked adventure of all time: the road trip. Axe airport security, boarding zones, and luggage restrictions.
Just:
- A full tank of gas
- Updated car insurance
- A quick mechanic check to top off the fluids
Then you go.
One of my favorite traditions is packing homemade sandwiches and burritos, filling the car with snacks and water, and bringing along a camera. The kind that captures unexpected beauty along the roadside.
Throw a light book in your bag—something fun, not overwhelming—and suddenly the road itself becomes part of the story.
4. Join a Class or Club
Adventure isn’t only about geography. Sometimes it’s about trying something new.
Maybe you’ve wondered what it feels like to dance to the rhythm of African drums.
Maybe you’ve imagined becoming the painter whose art quietly fills every wall in her home.
Maybe you want to perfect your baking before the holidays arrive.
Join a class. A cooking club. A fitness group. A masterclass. Complete with yourself or not at all. But, be sure to enjoy and stay open-minded. And curiosity is where adventure begins.
5. Let YouTube Teach You Something New
This one might be my favorite.
For free, YouTube is a masterclass library filled with moms just like us sharing what they know. Budgeting tips. Wealth-building habits. Efficient cleaning systems. Organization strategies. Makeup tutorials that keep you looking fresh all day. You can learn solo or with your kids beside you.
And if you enjoy this kind of community, you can join mine at @plentyofperni, where I share how single moms can get ahead, stay ahead, and still build a life they’re excited to wake up to.
6. Make Your Own Videos
Speaking of YouTube—why not create your own? Your iPhone is more powerful than entire film studios used to be. You could share:
- Your favorite hairstyles
- Your personal style
- How you garden around your apartment or home
You are never too old to share knowledge or become someone’s inspiration. Authenticity is magnetic. People don’t want perfection. They want real. And the most powerful version of you on camera is simply you being yourself.
7. Let Your Child Plan the Adventure
Here’s the one that will hit home.
Ask your child:
“What’s the plan for today?”
Children are overflowing with adventure. They are fearless explorers of the ordinary. They try things even when they’re awkward, messy, weird, or completely unplanned.
Their curiosity is pure magic, so let them lead.
Whether it’s building a living room obstacle course, exploring your neighborhood like a safari, or turning the backyard into a kingdom—follow their imagination wherever it goes.
You might be surprised how far it takes you!
The world will always have moments that make travel feel uncertain. But adventure? Adventure is resilient. It shows up in stories.In roads.In new skills.In creativity. And sometimes in the wild imagination of the little human calling you “Mom.”
And when the skies feel wide open again, we’ll be ready.
Until we fly again…
XO,
KOM