Welcome Adventurer,
So far, 2026 has been a lot.
So I’d like to encourage you to do some small quests to get you out of your head and into your world.
Below are ten simple quest suggestions, each one designed to be low-pressure, playful, and doable even on tough days.
A dice game is a simple way to generate momentum when you feel stuck. You can create a short menu of small quest objectives and let the dice decide what you’ll do next.
I created a list of 12 small quest objectives that I wanted to get done; each objective could be completed in about 10 minutes or less. I rolled a d12 (12-sided die) and did whichever number came up. If I didn’t feel like doing that exact task, I just picked another one. Productive procrastination is still progress, and this helps me move through task paralysis.
Additional suggestions for you:
Roll a die to choose which hobby to do tonight
Make a 1–4 list of meals and roll to choose dinner
Create a 1–6 list of quick chores and roll for your next Home Base Quest objective
Swap a little bit of your usual scrolling time for something that your future self will genuinely appreciate.
For me, this looked like organizing my new office, while pretending it was a like mini-game where you wash a dog or restore an old item. I find that organizing and cleaning can be very enjoyable and restorative when I think of it like a game.
Additional suggestions for you:
Go for a walk for 30 minutes instead of doom-scrolling
Organize one shelf in your closet
Answer that email you’ve been procrastinating (you know the one)
How many to-do list items are you holding onto that are no longer serving you?
For me, I started to update my “quest boards.” I have multiple bulletin boards that I stick my quest objectives on. But I’ve recently moved into a bigger office, so I get to expand my quest boards. I am working on designing a new system that has my daily/weekly quests, personal quests, business quests, skill trees, and rewards. I pin tasks to them like a Skyrim-style quest log, and I also put important deadlines into my Google Calendar.
Additional suggestions for you:
Do a quick objective brain dump. Write all of your thoughts out on paper. No need to categorize it yet, just get it out of your head
Write a physical to-do list
Ask a friend to help you sort priorities
For me, this looked like getting caught up on scheduling my Dungeons & Dragons games, setting up my February Thursday theme nights, and making plans to meet the baby my friends just had.
Additional suggestions for you:
Schedule coffee with someone you miss
Plan a date night with your partner
Schedule a video call with an old friend
A rejection quest is when you ask for an opportunity with the aim of getting rejected. If you do get rejected, you have completed the quest and get a reward; if you did not get rejected, you failed the quest. (Hopefully, then you have gotten the opportunity you wanted). For more about Rejection Quests, please see this article.
For me, that looked like sending speaking proposals and emails related to the speaking side of my business.
Additional suggestions for you:
Apply for a grant or fellowship
Pitch yourself to a podcast
Invite somebody new over to your place to hangout
A “Dragon” in this context is a social injustice that feels too hard to fight on your own. Something that is always looming and you are fearful of. A system in place that hurts you or the ones you love. For more information on Dragons, please check out this newsletter or this one.
What is the one big social injustice that you are most affected by right now? Maybe it’s ICE in your neighborhoods, or racism, or classism, a democracy issue, etc. The list can go on and on. Obviously, you are likely impacted by many, but it is helpful to choose one and learn the skills to make a big impact there and help those around you who are leaders in the fight against other dragons.
The main Dragon that I am fighting is related to ableism. This looks like being on multiple mental health and disability communities, teaching about mental health in high schools, teaching about neurodiversity in the workplace, and so much more. If you want to learn more about the work I am doing, please visit my website at SierraGrandy.com.
Additional suggestions for you:
What organizations are you already a part of? Can you become more active there?
Is there a way for you to share resources and information online safely?
Are there mutual aid programs in your neighborhood that you could be a part of?
Sometimes the quickest route is not the most joyful one. Adding playful complexity can help turn a boring task into a more novel and interesting one.
For me, I made a game out of my to-do list. Using dice, whiteboards, and a point system. This allowed me to more easily get into a flow without overthinking each individual task.
Additional suggestions for you:
Put extra intention into your outfit by dressing up as if you were a video game character.
Turn cooking into a “recipe challenge.” (I like to try to make meals as if I were on Chopped.)
Gamify cleaning with timers, levels, or treasure rewards
We all have digital clutter. This quest is to clear out your drafts, whether they’re emails, videos, or half-written notes. You are not aiming for perfect; you are aiming for this organization to be useful.
For me, this looked like emptying my email drafts, deleting or posting many of my TikTok drafts, updating my Substack drafts, and organizing my LinkedIn drafts.
I even turned unsubscribing from emails into a timed mini-game.
Additional suggestions for you:
Delete or finish your old email drafts
Sort through your photo or note app
Post or toss your social media drafts
The other day I visited a new-to-me local coffee shop and it changed the trajectory of my day. Witnessing the barista single-handedly manage the shop, take orders, make the drinks, and make every person who came in feel seen reminded me of how simple community based activities are worthy of prioritization. It made me feel like my mindfulness skill was enhanced all day.
Additional suggestions for you:
Don’t have time or energy to go on an outside adventure today? Consider making a list of local places you’d like to visit — parks, local restaurants (bonus points if you make a reservation), coffee shops, community centers, art shops, etc.
Take a walk on a new trail
Find a new-to-you local charity to volunteer, donate food, or donate money to.
When life becomes overwhelming, returning to childhood joys can offer grounding, comfort, and simple pleasure.
The other day, I had to take a sick day, so I spent time watching Buffy and playing Pokémon, which was so helpful because it prevented me from doom-scrolling through the day.
Additional suggestions for you:
Revisit an old video game
Pick up a childhood craft
Reread a book you loved
Your quests do not have to be big, dramatic, or life-changing. They can just be doable, whimsical, and a tiny bit magical.
Whatever your quest ends up looking like, Adventurer, I am proud of you for going on it.
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