2026: The Year Of The Side Quest

By now, you’ve probably already made your list of New Year’s resolutions, and hopefully you’re still feeling motivated to stick to them! However, we’d like to propose a new type of goal to add to your year, one without the pressure that a lot of your resolutions might hold, meant instead to add a bit more fun and whimsy into your life. We present to you, the side quest.

These side quests can range from spontaneous trips to new cities, enrolling in random courses or something less costly like volunteering and hosting. The whole point is to do something that you wouldn’t usually do in your daily life, try new things no matter how unfamiliar you are with them at the beginning.

@tatumjohnson78I’m calling it now♬ original sound – Tatum Johnson

Side quests are a little different than your typical resolutions because they’re more focused on having fun and trying something that you would have never imagined yourself doing before. So don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! If you’re stuck for ideas, we’ve made a list of ideas to try this year that you’ll probably remember for the rest of your life.

Be an extra in a movie

This is actually a lot easier to do than you might think. There are tons of websites where you can apply to be an extra for TV shows, films, ads and independent productions. Register with an agency like Celtic Casting or MovieExtras and look for any opportunity to get on a set. This is such a fun side quest that not much people can say they’ve done, and you’ll get paid for your work more often than not. 

Enrol in a random class

This can be a night class, online course or even a once off workshop kind of thing. You can either improve a skill within an interest you already have (for example, if you’re into the arts you could do a screenwriting course or take an improv class), or try something completely unfamiliar to you. If you do your research, you’ll realise that there’s an endless amount of classes you can take, and it never hurts to learn something new. Some courses might be on the more costly side, depending on how long they go on for, but we recommend looking into your local library, as they often hold free community classes each week.

Run a marathon

This one might already be one of your resolutions, and it’s something that a lot of us tell ourselves we’re going to do every year but never get around to it (guilty). This is more of a side quest if you’re not really into running at all, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Registration for the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon is currently open, and this event is a 10k route, with the option to walk the whole thing if running isn’t your thing. It’s no less of an achievement, and it’s for a great cause, making it the perfect side quest this year!

Learn a new language

You can choose a language that you think will come in handy at some point, or the most random language you can possibly think of. If you want to move to Italy in the future, spend this year learning Italian until you’re fluent. If you just want to learn a language for the sake of it, nobody’s stopping you. Mandarin, Latin, hieroglyphics. No matter what you pick, learning a new language is so healthy for the brain and super fun to do.

Write something from start to finish

A song, a script for a short film, an entire novel, whatever you feel like. Just make sure to follow through with it to the end, and you’ll be surprised at how good it feels to have created something that’s whole and uniquely yours. Nobody else needs to see it except you, but if you’re proud of it and you want to get it out there, there are tons of magazines, newspapers, festivals and competitions that you can submit your work to. 

Go on a hiking trip abroad

We all know that Ireland has some absolutely breathtaking mountain scenes, but if you’re itching to get on a plane, why not take a weekend to explore nature in another country. We tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of big capital cities or the luxury of beach resorts when we’re abroad, but dedicating some time to experience the quiet nature that other countries have to offer will always be well worth your time, even if you’re not a hiking connoisseur. Why not find a spot in the Swiss Alps to explore, or behold the insane views on the island of Madeira in Portugal. Get some fresh air!

Become certified in something

Once again, this is a lot easier to do than you might expect. A lot of certifications don’t require weeks of lessons or exams. Look into getting CPR training, or become a lifeguard or certified scuba diver. The more random the better. Even if you never actually end up using your certification, it’s a cool thing to be able to say, “Oh yeah, I’m certified to use a forklift.”

Start a book club

You can do this with your group of friends or go wider with it and invite your local community to join. Host book themed dinners or hire a room in the local library to get together and discuss your latest read. Being part of a book club might not sound revolutionary enough to be considered a side quest, but hosting one yourself is a whole other story, and any chance to get people together and discuss your interests is crucial in building a strong community.

Learn a random instrument

This can seem daunting at first. Perhaps there’s a guitar in the corner of your room collecting dust for the past five years (again, guilty) or you think learning the piano is way outside the budget right now. And that’s fine, but don’t let yourself believe that you can’t learn an instrument. Pick something random first. The harmonica is a great one, it’s cheap, small and easy enough to get the gist of. Or try the bagpipes, the tin whistle, the bongos! It might not make you seem as cool as someone who plays bass guitar or the drums, but being cool isn’t the point of these side quests, it’s all about having fun.

Volunteer somewhere

This can range from local charity shops and soup kitchens, to hostels and beach bars during the summer. It’s totally up to you, and it’s a great way to contribute to the community while also making memories and meeting new and interesting people.