When was the last time you accepted a side quest?
This term is believed to have originated from tabletop role play games back in the 70’s, and is still largely used in the world of gaming. It refers to a task or adventure that is optional for players, and may or may not contribute to their main quest. Slaying a dragon? Better stock up on health potions and armor first, but the merchant may have something extra to assure your victory in exchange for a favor.
Side quests are abundant for creatives in our everyday lives, especially for us neurodivergent gals. If we had a nickel for every time the laundry didn’t get done because we got distracted, we could fund a personal laundromat service. These extra little adventures in life are not always leisurely or optional though, because lessons come in all shapes and sizes when we’re ready to learn from them.
A side quest can be any journey, however long or short, outside of your main story. It could be grabbing a muffin and coffee while you’re out running errands. It could be several phone calls to track the status of an important package. It could be going out of your way to pet a cute dog, or an opportunity to hear about the lives and lessons of others.
Just like we talked about last week, accepting a side quest is the perfect opportunity to let our inner child guide us into her world of play. They are the perfect way to take action and use our imaginations, inviting perspectives outside of your main story to fulfill your adventuring heart whether you’re mingling with fellow Hobbits or setting off to slay a dragon.
I’m going to write to you a little more personally this week so we can get to know each other better. My name is Caia and it is my great joy to write up the weekly seasonal inspiration that is sent to your inbox with love. You could say I’m a bit of an adventurer myself, spending Friday nights playing Dungeons and Dragons with a small group of friends; but I would love to tell you about a series of side quests that began with the introvert’s ultimate dragon slaying: making plans for my day off.
Luckily, I got to spend the day catching up with a dear friend. Our friendship began and blossomed as coworkers, as they often do when you’re forged in the fires of the service and performing arts industries with a kindred spirit. She’s the type of woman that can approach even the most unexpected situations with a healthy dose of understanding and a grounding perspective.
The first side quest came immediately after ordering lunch. The cashier stepped away from the counter, revealing a half-empty cake dish as their special for the day. We didn’t even make eye contact with each other before the decision was made.
Side quest: Cake with lunch. Status: Complete!
One of the many charms in the small town she lives in is that this female-owned and operated, farm-to-table lunch spot is right next to the most popular coffee shop in town – among locals, at least. They call it the whole town’s living room and maintain it as a safe space for all, especially the LGBTQ+ community. It’s also very pet friendly, so the next stroll of the beaten path was to meet the most precious old lady golden retriever who was still soft as a puppy.
Side quest: Make new friends with a cute dog and her owner. Status: Complete!
Our food was so kindly delivered the moment we put in our coffee orders, so we found a cozy spot by the street in the courtyard to eat, drink, and be the merriest of hobbit friends we could be. We laughed uninhibited, cried as needed, and waved frantically at local friends driving by.
Soon, my favorite side quest of the day happened when one of those locals actually looped back around and joined us for a drink. We regaled stories of our rebellious early adulthoods, each at least a decade apart, and I got to learn about what it was like growing up in a rural area, including just how easy it was to bring a fake ID to the liquor store as a high-schooler in the 70’s… even if the clerk ends up being a ref at your next football game.
Side quest: Invite a local over from off the street and enjoy their company. Status: Complete!
The gentleman that joined us gave us a ride back up the hill after we shared a lively yap session, and we all promised to do it again soon. I told him if he ever sees us in that courtyard again to not hesitate in pulling up a chair, and he readily agreed. There is a sort of Middle-Earth magic to moments like this, knowing that at any point you may see a neighbor out and about that will always delight in your company.
Bonus Side Quest: Keep the door open for future side quests.
In case you needed an excuse, it’s a great idea to plan a side quest of your own to celebrate the first day of Summer!
We are planning a day of play on Friday, June 20th and would love for you to participate. Again, no pressure to go out and slay a dragon. Other options include smithing with dwarves, dressing up with elves, and learning the ways of a wise old wizard.
Let your imagination run free to Middle-Earth and beyond, and click here to tell us how you plan to spend your Day of Play! A great adventure awaits, and we would love to share your plans in the next blog post.
Happy side questing, adventurers!
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