Overview of Feeling stuck? Take a side quest.
This NPR It’s Been a Minute episode explores why “side quests” — small, curiosity-driven adventures outside work and routine — are resonating right now. Host Brittany Luse talks with Mariel Segarra, Dr. Kira Gaunt, and Sahara Monet about how side quests function as adult play, why they’re especially appealing in a goal-obsessed culture, and how they can restore wonder, confidence, and flexibility in everyday life.
Main Themes
Side quests as adult play
- The episode frames side quests as the grown-up version of a video game detour: not about winning, but about exploration and enjoyment.
- Guests argue that play matters because it removes the pressure of outcomes and gives adults room to not know, experiment, and discover.
Why they’re trending now
- Social media has made it easier to see and try new hobbies, classes, and experiences.
- Many people feel burnt out, over-identified with work, or stuck in rigid routines, making low-stakes exploration especially appealing.
- The post-pandemic shift away from work-centered identity also made room for more personal experimentation.
Side quests build confidence and “lore”
- Trying something unfamiliar can change how people see themselves.
- Even when a side quest doesn’t become a lifelong hobby, it can strengthen the “main quest” by adding nuance, joy, and self-knowledge.
- The episode emphasizes that side quests help people build their own “lore” — a richer personal story.
Key Takeaways
1. Side quests are about curiosity, not achievement
- Dr. Kira Gaunt describes play as a practice of “not knowing.”
- The point is to explore, not to control the outcome.
2. Small is often better
- A side quest does not need to be a huge commitment.
- Examples include:
- taking a walk in a new neighborhood
- learning to knit
- going to a sunrise
- trying a drawing class
- visiting a pool just to observe before swimming
3. Side quests can be a reset for the body and mind
- Guests describe feeling side-quest-ready when they notice:
- restlessness
- stiffness
- tension
- burnout
- a sense that work has become their whole life
4. They can be social or solo
- Some side quests are more fun with friends, but they don’t need to be.
- Reclaiming an activity on your own can be empowering.
- Community events like Sahara Monet’s Let’s Play NYC show how people can discover new forms of play together.
5. Side quests can reconnect people with childhood joy
- The conversation returns often to what adults miss from being kids:
- playing all day
- skipping
- spontaneous movement
- whimsical, unproductive fun
Practical Advice Shared in the Episode
If you feel stuck, start with a micro-step
- Don’t make it overwhelming.
- Instead of “I’m going to learn how to swim this year,” try:
- “This week I’ll go to the pool.”
- “I’ll watch others swimming.”
- “I’ll just stand by the water.”
Notice what your body is telling you
- Side quests can begin with internal signals:
- boredom
- tension
- anger
- restlessness
- fatigue
- The episode highlights interoceptive awareness: paying attention to physical cues that suggest you need a change.
Use side quests to challenge your self-concept
- Try something that contradicts a story you’ve told yourself:
- “I’m not artistic.”
- “I’m not a good student.”
- “I’m not athletic.”
- New experiences can reveal abilities or interests you didn’t know you had.
Notable Insights
- “Side quests release us from worrying about the outcome.”
- “Learning begins with inquiry.”
- “You don’t begin because you’ll know what you’ll find; you begin because you’re willing to find out.”
- “You are not an object. You are a changing being from the cradle to the grave.”
- “More lore” becomes a metaphor for building a fuller, more interesting life story through exploration.
Bottom Line
The episode’s core message is that side quests are not distractions — they’re a meaningful way to restore play, curiosity, and self-discovery in adult life. Whether big or small, solo or social, a side quest can help people feel less stuck and more alive by giving them permission to explore without needing a perfect result.