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The Doorstep Mile: Live More Adventurously Every Day
Would you like a more adventurous life?Are you being held back by a lack of time or money? By fear, indecision, or a feeling of being selfish or an imposter?Living adventurously is not about cycling around the world or rowing across an ocean. Living adventurously is about the attitude you choose each day. It instils an enthusiasm to resurrect the boldness and curiosity that many of us lose as adults.Whether at work or home, taking the first step to begin a new venture is daunting. If you dream of a big adventure, begin with a microadventure. This is the Doorstep Mile, the hardest part of every journey. The Doorstep Mile will reveal why you want to change direction, what’s stopping you, and how to build an adventurous spirit into your busy daily life.Dream big, but start small.
Don’t yearn for the adventure of a lifetime. Begin a lifetime of living adventurously.What would your future self advise you to do?What would you do if you could not fail?Is your to-do list urgent or important?You will never simultaneously have enough time, money and mojo.There are opportunities for adventure in your daily 5-to-9. The hardest challenge is getting out the front door and the Doorstep Mile.Alastair Humphreys, a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, cycled around the world for four years but also schedules a monthly tree climb. He has crossed the Empty Quarter desert, rowed the Atlantic, walked a lap of the M25 and busked through Spain, despite being unable to play the violin. The Doorstep Mile is Alastair Humphreys' 13th book.
‘The gospel of short, perspective-shifting bursts of travel closer to home.’ New York Times‘A life-long adventurer.’ Financial Times‘Upend your boring routine… it doesn't take much.’ Outside Magazine
Don’t yearn for the adventure of a lifetime. Begin a lifetime of living adventurously.What would your future self advise you to do?What would you do if you could not fail?Is your to-do list urgent or important?You will never simultaneously have enough time, money and mojo.There are opportunities for adventure in your daily 5-to-9. The hardest challenge is getting out the front door and the Doorstep Mile.Alastair Humphreys, a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, cycled around the world for four years but also schedules a monthly tree climb. He has crossed the Empty Quarter desert, rowed the Atlantic, walked a lap of the M25 and busked through Spain, despite being unable to play the violin. The Doorstep Mile is Alastair Humphreys' 13th book.
‘The gospel of short, perspective-shifting bursts of travel closer to home.’ New York Times‘A life-long adventurer.’ Financial Times‘Upend your boring routine… it doesn't take much.’ Outside Magazine
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2019
203 people are currently reading
1120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
April 15, 2020
The hardest part of living adventurously is starting. There. That’s the whole book. I’ve saved you 236 pages of reading.
I’ve saved you from developing a passionate disliking for the patronising author, as I have.
I’ve saved you from having to put up with his painful attempts at humour, the annoying, sometimes illegible scribbles added to the content, and the lack of meaningful, relatable content.
I guess I’m just not the target audience...
If I had to draw one positive from the experience of reading this book, it’s that I didn’t pay for it.
I’ve saved you from developing a passionate disliking for the patronising author, as I have.
I’ve saved you from having to put up with his painful attempts at humour, the annoying, sometimes illegible scribbles added to the content, and the lack of meaningful, relatable content.
I guess I’m just not the target audience...
If I had to draw one positive from the experience of reading this book, it’s that I didn’t pay for it.
May 2, 2020
I'm already a huge advocate of the ideas in this book but I was craving adventures in lockdown so I decided to invent some microadventures to do. So thought I'd quickly read this from the inventor of microadventures himself for some extra inspiration as it was on Kindle Unlimited. Nice easy, inspirational read about getting off your arse. Especially liked other peoples' variety of perspectives and you can't not like Al.
January 22, 2020
Humphreys set forward some interesting perspectives, but I found the content highly repetitious and quite drawn out.
April 23, 2020
Probably the Covid-19 lockdown was not the best time to read a book encouraging you to get out of the front door ... good time to make plans though!
February 22, 2023
Audiobook
This was a great listen, Alastair reads it himself. If you've followed his YouTube at all, you know he's quite entertaining. I think I would have gotten more from it had I actually read the book because at the end of the chapters, he has questions to think about. Listening, I just went ahead to the next chapter however there's still great ideas from it without going over the specific questions.
This was a great listen, Alastair reads it himself. If you've followed his YouTube at all, you know he's quite entertaining. I think I would have gotten more from it had I actually read the book because at the end of the chapters, he has questions to think about. Listening, I just went ahead to the next chapter however there's still great ideas from it without going over the specific questions.
May 28, 2020
So fun to read and also made me start dreaming and planning!
Liked the format of this book very much, really enjoyed working through all the questions and thinking of future adventures of all types..
Liked the format of this book very much, really enjoyed working through all the questions and thinking of future adventures of all types..
July 16, 2021
Start the thing!
A warm and well-written reminder that starting anything is the hardest part, that adventure doesn’t have to be epic, and that the biggest hurdle to being adventurous is your own perception of yourself.
A warm and well-written reminder that starting anything is the hardest part, that adventure doesn’t have to be epic, and that the biggest hurdle to being adventurous is your own perception of yourself.
March 31, 2021
At the beginning of the year I started a subscription with Adventurous Ink. Looking back at their previous books I saw this and it looking interesting, so I got a copy from Audible. I mention this because at the end of each chapter there is an 'over to you' with questions to ask yourself and although I liked these questions at the time I was walking the dog and it would have been nice to have had those question in a separate document eg. PDF so I could refer back to them once I had pen and paper.
To me this book is part self help and part living adventurously.
I enjoyed this book even though its main point was revisited throughout the book. The idea of just starting whether it be a micro adventure or an adventure just get started.
The other thing that struck me was that something as simple as planning a 5k run or camping somewhere over night could be seen as an adventure was something that never had come to my mind before. I had always seen these as challenges not adventures which actually surprised me, I had been going on adventures and not even realised it!
So this book, basically gave me a different way of looking at things and that's never a bad thing and the fact that even something mundane can actually be an adventure. I am looking forward to reading his book Mirco adventure in the hopes of some inspiration on what Micro adventures to go on while saving up and planning for a big adventure.
To me this book is part self help and part living adventurously.
I enjoyed this book even though its main point was revisited throughout the book. The idea of just starting whether it be a micro adventure or an adventure just get started.
The other thing that struck me was that something as simple as planning a 5k run or camping somewhere over night could be seen as an adventure was something that never had come to my mind before. I had always seen these as challenges not adventures which actually surprised me, I had been going on adventures and not even realised it!
So this book, basically gave me a different way of looking at things and that's never a bad thing and the fact that even something mundane can actually be an adventure. I am looking forward to reading his book Mirco adventure in the hopes of some inspiration on what Micro adventures to go on while saving up and planning for a big adventure.
January 25, 2023
I found this book to be so very inspiring! Humphreys writing is very approachable and humorous, I laughed out loud more than once. The writing is unconventional, in that it was originally presented as a series of email newsletters and the author has handwritten notes, references, and editorials scattered throughout. It was a bit like reading the author's own copy of his book.
The chapters are quite short, with question prompts to explore at the end of every one, which really encourages you to slow down and digest the ideas. While the ideas were simple in theory, and maybe a little redundant throughout, the overall effort was to get the reader to take a minute to really pause, reset, and break free of the habitual rat race in order to live a life that is memorable and meaningful. I won't be climbing Everest or travelling to Antarctica, but Humphreys acknowledges that adventure looks different for all of us, often writing about simply climbing a tree or writing one blog post, very reachable and realistic small goals for anyone of us.
The chapters are quite short, with question prompts to explore at the end of every one, which really encourages you to slow down and digest the ideas. While the ideas were simple in theory, and maybe a little redundant throughout, the overall effort was to get the reader to take a minute to really pause, reset, and break free of the habitual rat race in order to live a life that is memorable and meaningful. I won't be climbing Everest or travelling to Antarctica, but Humphreys acknowledges that adventure looks different for all of us, often writing about simply climbing a tree or writing one blog post, very reachable and realistic small goals for anyone of us.
April 1, 2020
Such an eye-opener!
This book is very approachable, and I loved that it left me feeling so inspired to live more adventurously in a way that fits my life right now. This book is for anyone who wants to be happier but doesn’t have the time to travel to the South Pole to do it.
This book is very approachable, and I loved that it left me feeling so inspired to live more adventurously in a way that fits my life right now. This book is for anyone who wants to be happier but doesn’t have the time to travel to the South Pole to do it.
April 30, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Came at the right time for me and went some way towards giving me a boot up the arse needed to focus on what's important and the thing I actually want to do. Inspiring words and content by an inspiring yet normal everyday person. Would recommend if you want to get your arse into gear also!
January 30, 2020
Erstes Buchclub-Buch und ein ganz großes Näh.
December 9, 2024
Those of us reading this book are at the lottery-winning end of the human spectrum. We are so lucky. We have a degree of choice over our lives. The course of our life will depend largely upon the decisions we make and the paths we walk. We can choose our own story and make it happen.
Alastair Humphreys is a self-proclaimed professional adventurer, and this book, The Doorstep Mile is a sort of inspirational self-help guide to making your own life more adventurous.
Humphreys absolutely nails the idea and motivations behind living a more adventurous life. The awareness that our time and our lives is finite. That we only have so many weekends left to exist. That we don't want to get to the end of our lives with regrets. That we want to make the most of our time. For someone that is already on-board with this lifestyle, this book is full of comforting validation that you are not alone.
As a self-help book, however, I felt that it was scattered and unorganized. That the little "exercises" at the end of each chapter were useless (though the reader anecdotes were sometimes good). I doubt that too many people are going to close this book and fly to the mountains.
So as a motivational book, The Doorstep Mile is quite good. But if you're looking for the core self-help message of this book, look no further than, The hardest part of any run is putting on your shoes.
Alastair Humphreys is a self-proclaimed professional adventurer, and this book, The Doorstep Mile is a sort of inspirational self-help guide to making your own life more adventurous.
Humphreys absolutely nails the idea and motivations behind living a more adventurous life. The awareness that our time and our lives is finite. That we only have so many weekends left to exist. That we don't want to get to the end of our lives with regrets. That we want to make the most of our time. For someone that is already on-board with this lifestyle, this book is full of comforting validation that you are not alone.
As a self-help book, however, I felt that it was scattered and unorganized. That the little "exercises" at the end of each chapter were useless (though the reader anecdotes were sometimes good). I doubt that too many people are going to close this book and fly to the mountains.
So as a motivational book, The Doorstep Mile is quite good. But if you're looking for the core self-help message of this book, look no further than, The hardest part of any run is putting on your shoes.
December 19, 2021
I remember there was a time before the pandemic when I would do adventurous things, run ultramarathons, climb mountains, skydive, snorkel in the ocean, disappear in the mountains for days with just a bottle of water and a bottle of whiskey. I realized the other day that all that adventure had gone out of my life during the pandemic. Picked this book up as a way to kick start me and my adventurous life again.
Humphrey's is an interesting person and a good writer, I've read other things by him and enjoyed them as I enjoyed this one. Essentially this is a kit and a roadmap on how to live more adventurously in however that is meaningful in your life. It was quick and snappy, with good advice and good examples and stories to keep the content interesting.
I liked it enough that I'll probably read it again in a month or so.
Humphrey's is an interesting person and a good writer, I've read other things by him and enjoyed them as I enjoyed this one. Essentially this is a kit and a roadmap on how to live more adventurously in however that is meaningful in your life. It was quick and snappy, with good advice and good examples and stories to keep the content interesting.
I liked it enough that I'll probably read it again in a month or so.
April 23, 2024
Occasionally I’ll come across a book that’s fairly removed from my profession, but I’ll end up suggesting it to others. “The Doorstep Mile” is the ultimate example of this because outdoor adventures and long form sports are their own profession, but this book is peppered with little gold nuggets that resonates on account of a paradoxical approach. Humphreys blends his own words with snippets from emails that sometimes, ever-so-slightly, contradict what he says which is subtly brilliant. It makes you re-question what you’ve just read because you start to consider these thoughts from different vantage points. You’re gently forced to re-examine concepts which helps engrave them and make them very practical. I found the "The Doorstep Mile" wildly practical within the 3 or 4 days that it took me to read it, and can think of several classes where it would become assigned reading.
March 25, 2025
I didn't expect this to have so many workbook-style activities, but I am surprised to find that I enjoyed them just as much as I enjoyed the book. This is one of those messages which require handling - you need to grapple with it, make notes, explore your thoughts outside your own head in order to make it sink in.
The message of this book is deceptively simple: what could you do to make your life more interesting and rewarding? But without the hands-on approach taken at the end of every short chapter, this could easily become one of those books that you skim through, close, and think: "that was nice" before entirely forgetting it and returning to your same-old routine.
But when you get your hands dirty on the activities, you start to ingest the message and it becomes much more personal. This is well worth taking the time to read AND work through.
The message of this book is deceptively simple: what could you do to make your life more interesting and rewarding? But without the hands-on approach taken at the end of every short chapter, this could easily become one of those books that you skim through, close, and think: "that was nice" before entirely forgetting it and returning to your same-old routine.
But when you get your hands dirty on the activities, you start to ingest the message and it becomes much more personal. This is well worth taking the time to read AND work through.
December 23, 2023
Opens eyes to endless possibilities
I really loved this book. It's a book of endless possibilities and opportunities. It's really thought provoking and it as made me realise how much time I waste doing stupid stuff like doom scrolling. It's opened my mind to stop procrastinating and to start having some proper me time.
The book is well written and set out beautifully. The questions asked are thought provoking and also bring memories back as a young lad, going out having adventurous times.
Thank Alistair, what an exceptional book you have produced.
I really loved this book. It's a book of endless possibilities and opportunities. It's really thought provoking and it as made me realise how much time I waste doing stupid stuff like doom scrolling. It's opened my mind to stop procrastinating and to start having some proper me time.
The book is well written and set out beautifully. The questions asked are thought provoking and also bring memories back as a young lad, going out having adventurous times.
Thank Alistair, what an exceptional book you have produced.
March 20, 2024
"Doing something small today – and then again tomorrow – is the best way to move towards your aspirations. It also builds a mindset that considers big things to be plausible. Besides, let’s not beat ourselves up if ‘all’ that we achieve is to become more curious, kind and enthusiastic."
Loved the principle of living a doorstep mile (take adventures a mile away - they don't have to be this GRAND sweeping adventure). The book seemed repetitive, but it did spark something in me to continue this year of new things!
Loved the principle of living a doorstep mile (take adventures a mile away - they don't have to be this GRAND sweeping adventure). The book seemed repetitive, but it did spark something in me to continue this year of new things!
December 30, 2019
Whilst the premise and stories contained within the book are enjoyable, I felt that it lacked structure and flow. Being asked to write answers to questions every few minutes was inspiring and novel at first, but quickly became repetitive. Some of the questions were very repetitive, reading like a collection of blog posts (which is what it is) rather than story from start to finish. Still worth reading to prompt your thinking on how to be more adventurous.
January 30, 2023
Repetitive and lacking practical advice. I loved the author’s motivation to get up and try something adventurous. However, I couldn’t think of any new adventures to try (until we’re empty nesters) since I have already quit my job (to stay home with my kids) and started a business (two violin students so far) while training for a marathon and making sure to get outside with my kids as much as possible. My next big adventure may just be homeschooling!
February 1, 2023
A quick read with short chapters, Humphreys presents his case for living adventurously and how we all can do the same! I think the book could’ve been half as long, but it was still somewhat entertaining. I saw a live interview with him today, and it’s refreshing that he’s just a normal guy, now a dad of two as well, who made/makes different choices than most people, and found/finds it fulfilling. I liked the questions at the end of each chapter too; they made you really THINK.
January 7, 2023
Inspiring and entertaining
I appreciate the author’s down to earth, realistic approach to helping others live their best life. He’s done some pretty amazing things, but he isn’t an adventure snob. He’s encouraging of whatever is an adventure for you! His simple ideas and points really inspired me. His style of writing is entertaining.
I appreciate the author’s down to earth, realistic approach to helping others live their best life. He’s done some pretty amazing things, but he isn’t an adventure snob. He’s encouraging of whatever is an adventure for you! His simple ideas and points really inspired me. His style of writing is entertaining.
January 30, 2023
Adventures are something that are beyond our comfort zone. They are hard, work, pushing toward a high goal. Adventures are things outside of the routine.
But Adventures need not be unapproachable in a daily life. We can’t always do big things, but we can do the next step it takes to go on a new adventure in our life.
I skimmed this book. It seemed a book worth skimming.
But Adventures need not be unapproachable in a daily life. We can’t always do big things, but we can do the next step it takes to go on a new adventure in our life.
I skimmed this book. It seemed a book worth skimming.
February 23, 2023
Excellent and inspiring
If you are looking for a call to action forum ing the life you want, this is the resource book for you. A.H. simplifies all you thinking of adventure and the kicks you in the rear to get cracking! Looking forward to my next adventure, whatever size it may be.
If you are looking for a call to action forum ing the life you want, this is the resource book for you. A.H. simplifies all you thinking of adventure and the kicks you in the rear to get cracking! Looking forward to my next adventure, whatever size it may be.
June 11, 2020
Loved als perspective on finding adventure in everyday life. Not everything has to be grand or colossal. An adventure can be as simple as trying something new. Thanks to al, this week alone we have taken our kids to two state parks and multiple bike rides outdoors.
November 15, 2021
Good tips here, might be the motivation you need to get out the door. Like many other books of this type however, I'd say that all core points are presented in the first half, and the second half drags and is ultimately unecessary.
January 7, 2022
For the price of two cups of coffee this book might change the trajectory of your life. It did mine.
If you're in need of a nudge to start an adventure, here it is.
It doesn't do the adventure for you. But it might get you to take the first step.
If you're in need of a nudge to start an adventure, here it is.
It doesn't do the adventure for you. But it might get you to take the first step.
January 9, 2023
Extremely repetitive. I also disliked the scribbles throughout and his “fan emails” at the end of every incredibly short chapter. I do like and support the general idea and mission behind the doorstep mike but feel I didn’t gain much value from 289 pages.
January 25, 2023
Whether your adventure is in the great outdoors or taking a leap of faith and starting your own business, whether you are a SAHM of multiple children or a single CEO of a billion dollar cooperation, there is something to be gained from this book.
February 2, 2023
I’ve really enjoyed books that provide an easy guide to setting and reaching goals. Similar to the things o learned in Atomic Habits, this book focused on the steps to live more adventurously. And facing the hardest part - that first step.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews