A few years ago, my sister-in-law casually mentioned that she drives a different route on her way home from work every day. As someone who loves routine, I thought that seemed a little crazy and unnecessary. But after feeling stuck in my usual routines as of late, I’m starting to see where she was coming from.
As adults, our lives can start to feel a little rinse-and-repeat. Wake up. Work out. Go to work. Decide what to eat for dinner. Scroll. Sleep. And then do it all again the next day. By optimizing our daily routines, it seems like we’ve accidentally edited the spontaneity and joy out of our lives.
If you’re nodding your head as you read this, you may be in need of a side quest. Much like in video games (where this term originated), side quests are small, optional adventures that take you outside of your main mission. They don’t make or break the game by any means, but they can make it a lot more fun.
Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about side quests and how to plan your own.
What is a side quest?
While side quests started as just a small part of gaming culture, they’ve taken on a life of their own online. People on Instagram and TikTok are now using this term to describe small, spontaneous adventures that take place outside their normal routines. Think: hopping off the train at a random stop, signing up for a workout class just because it sounded interesting, or fostering (and maybe even adopting) a dog from a local shelter.
Creators like Lauren (@diaryoflo_ on TikTok) and Lisa (@hyphygrandma) have helped popularize this trend, sharing their side quest bucket lists. “We focus so much on our main quest that we completely forget that having all these side quests is what makes life so much fun,” Lauren says in one video.
The best part? A side quest isn’t about being productive or mastering a new skill. It’s about doing something unexpected or trying something new simply because it sounds fun. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to shake things up a bit and add more joy to your life.
How do you embark on a side quest?
The beauty of side quests is that they can be whatever you want them to be. There’s no expectation to make it something elaborate or Instagram-worthy. A side quest can be as simple as trying a new coffee shop or as bold as booking a solo weekend away.
You can also approach side quests in one of two ways: spontaneous or scheduled. Some people thrive on last-minute decisions (like saying yes to a concert an hour before it starts), while others might need to intentionally block time on their calendar to try something new. Whatever works for you, the point is to choose something outside your usual routine and give yourself the goal of just having fun.
If it helps, start small. Pick one day a week to designate as your “side quest day.” Try a new restaurant. Wander through a bookstore without a plan. Sign up for that class you keep thinking about. The more you practice adding small, unexpected moments into your week, the more natural and enjoyable it starts to feel.
Ideas for your next side quest
- Connect with your creative side by taking a pottery or sewing class
- Explore a different neighborhood within your city
- Take a new style of workout class, like boxing or aerial yoga
- Go thrift shopping and pick out something fun for your closet or home
- Volunteer at a food bank or an animal rescue
- Grab your morning coffee from a spot you’ve never tried
- Attend an event, like a sports game or concert, on a weeknight
- Get a tarot card reading
- Find a lookout point and watch the sunset
- Go on an ice cream walk with friends
- Learn to play the piano
- Try a new restaurant by yourself once a week
- Buy yourself flowers and learn how to arrange them
- Rent bikes and ride around town with friends
- Listen to a new-to-you music genre
- Join an adult intramural sports league
- Perform at an open mic night or karaoke
- Book a solo weekend getaway to somewhere you’ve never been but always wanted to go
- Buy an ingredient you’ve never cooked with before and make a delicious meal
- Start a book club with your friends
- Try something adventurous like rock climbing, horseback riding, or skydiving
Christine Winder, Contributing Wellness Writer
Christine is a long-time reader turned contributing writer for the Everygirl. She has a BA in Communications from Roanoke College and lives with her two cats in Richmond, VA where she writes for several local publications.
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