Late 40’s adventure cravings anyone?

[Glowinglights]

I’m not sure if I’m just really looking forward to spring/summer or if it’s hormonal but I just want to get out and do adventurous stuff. My Facebook feed is full of hiking/camping/canoeing/paddleboarding trips in Scotland, Wales or the Lakes. Algorithms are definitely doing their thing!

Loads of female-only groups, and it reminds me of some of the group holidays I did 25 years ago (I’m 48)

Anyone recognise this? Is this a midlife crisis type feeling? Related to menopause perhaps?

I do also love holidays with dh and dcs (2 teens) and i have weekends away with friends a few times a year so it’s not that I just crave a holiday.
I just start drooling over doing active stuff in the mountains at the moment.
I can’t justify the cost at all right now, as it would come out of family hols budget.
Although if I’m brave enough, I could take myself off camping for a couple of nights on my own which would be quite cheap surely…

So, is this an age related thing/ hormonal / stage in life kinda thing? And if you recognise it, are you acting on it?
Would it be odd to book a group holiday on my own when I’ve got dh and dcs at home? 😅
Dh likes trips and active hols but has a busy job and travels quite a bit for work. Whereas I work part time and have more time available…

Do it! DW and I both have a week-long adventure trip each year, usually with a group, with the other one staying home with the kids. It's always lots of fun, and doesn't have to be hugely expensive.

Sounds like an excellent arrangement!
I don’t know anyone who goes on holidays without dh/dp (apart from girls’ weekends away).
Thinking about it, next time I might prioritise an active group holiday over a girls’ weekend away - I’ve never considered that option.

Do the activities on the away weekends! On girls weekends we've done zip-lined in Dubrovnik, Funicular Railway to Ljubljana Castle, etc.

I’d very much like to but weekends away tend to be city breaks or going for a walk and meals out instead of climbing mountains or canoeing. None of them are enthused by those activities.

Would your family do it with you? My teen will do a cycling trip although not a walking one. We tried kayaking last summer (not as relaxing as it looks) and she likes bouldering.

And yes, I definitely feel like this at 50. Dd is off to uni in 2026, all going well, and I have plans to be a weekend Indiana Jones once she's off.

Check out 'Love her wild' there are local groups all round the UK and a great way to meet other women who like outdoor stuff for weekends away etc. They also organise some holiday type trips.

Do it! Time outdoors is time well spent!

Dh and Dcs are not against outdoor activities, and our holidays are normally quite active.
I guess I’m also craving a bit of me-time, away from being a mum, and go back to my old self again 😅

Just had a look at Love her Wild and that looks awesome ! Might hit the spot exactly @AltitudeCheck Thanks for the recommendation!

I'm just back from a night away alone as a present from DH. Last year I did an activity weekend. The year before i went to a tourist town and had dinner and went to a pub where a band played and had a few drinks, all alone. Do it! For me it's not about activity it's about escaping from my family. Also about trying to be me again, I got lost in family life for so long. I'm almost 48 and am trying to say yes to social things too, a few old pals have come back to life and we are all realising that as our DC grow up we have ourselves to look after. I've been invited to a number of parties and I'm going to every single one. You've got to do what makes you happy

Good to hear your responses, glad to know it’s not just me, and that it’s ok to branch out on your own
I was worried it was a bit mid-life-crisis-y 😂.

I had in my mind to go camping this spring with the dog but started to think it was a bit odd maybe. Dh thinks I should just do it to see if I enjoy it; the teens would hardly miss me if it’s during the week so there’s nothing stopping me really!

Nothing more lovely than packing the car up and heading off on a nice weather day. I love waking up in a tent, going off for a walk or paddleboarding for the day. Going away with OH takes more planning as we have to arrange pet sitters and hotels (he won't camp/ YH it) but he's happy to stay home and go to the pub/ out on his bike if I want to go away.

I’m 58 and do lots of adventure type stuff. DH isn’t really into that, so he doesn’t (I don’t play golf- he does).

I’m not great at relaxing in what would be seen as the conventional way, but I love to hike out with my gear and camp for the night with my dogs.

I’m going for it 💪 - I’ve ringfenced a few dates where I could take myself off in April/May and will just go with dog & tent.
I do love the idea of packing up the car and drive to the mountains for a camp and hike and somehow it helps to know there’s women out there who do this already.
And some really interesting trips on the Love her Wild website so will keep those in mind too.
Thank you for your responses ❤️

This is normal for me because it’s the stuff I already do, same with lots of friends in our 40s. We live in a beautiful place with lots of walking, wild camping, surfing, swimming. Totally normal to go off doing fun stuff on your own. I wouldn’t book a group holiday personally (not a group holiday person!), but I usually do a holiday every year on my own. Lots of walking holidays, I’ve walked and wild camped on my own. It’s lovely to get outside and do stuff. The girls holiday to Ibiza with lots of cocktails is very 2015 now, I think!

This is me too OP! Except we are a very active family, maybe not active but adventurous. Always kayaking, climbing, hiking. But I'd like to off on my own or with a friend. My friends are t that into active stuff. I love wild swimming and would like to do some walking and swimming for a weekend and camp somewhere

@H0PPLE have a look at the Love her Wild Facebook pages , there are many local groups with walk/swim trips. You might find some interesting too!

Wow it looks brilliant! Defo going to sign up for one of these

Just thought to revisit this thread.
I’ve been camping on my own (with dog so strictly speaking not alone) and really enjoyed my solo trip. Have just returned full of energy and am definitely up for more solo adventures.
Even though dh and I hike/camp together when we can, and always enjoy ourselves, going solo felt different and definitely hit the spot for now. I got a bit of myself in my early 20s back 😅- very much enjoyed going at my own pace. Lucked out on some beautiful weather too so a perfect couple of days ❤️.

Well done, OP. This is what life is for!

I think it’s an age thing to an extent. I’m finding I’m gravitating back to things I enjoyed prior to having children. I’m 49 and youngest is 16 at end of month, eldest are mid 20’s.

I agree @Tumbleweed101 , I’ve started to notice this too. I guess with the dcs getting older , I’m able to create more space for myself and notice I’ve not changed that much since before they were born. I had forgotten how much I enjoy my own company 😂