Break your pattern and try one new thing a day
We live in a world where there’s so much to see and so many things to learn that, honestly, we won’t get to see everything that this earth has to offer. But, that shouldn’t stop you from exploring every subject and asking a ton of questions to learn more.
A good way to intake a whole lot of knowledge and experience is to try one new thing a day. If you’re stuck in your habits and think you’re doomed to repeating your life on an endless loop then try changing one of your toxic habits at a time.
We are naturally inquisitive creatures, we want to know what’s going on and why it’s happening. The fear of missing out speaks volumes in this aspect. We’ve adapted a way of thinking that if we’re not in the mix, we’re missing out on all the experiences worth having.
Sorry (not sorry) to break it to you but if you were meant to be somewhere, you’d do everything in your power to be there. As a subtle reminder, the universe is always making sure that you are exactly where you need to be when you need to be.
How to try new things every day
Take a magnifying glass to your daily activities. What is one thing that you can do without? I guarantee you that there are one or more things in your life that you could eliminate without missing. If you’re not sure what those things are or if you’re insanely attached to your precious things, ask your closest friends for help. They always know.
Once you’ve identified that one thing that you would be better off without, start thinking about what you’ve always wanted to try.
For example,
Do you want to go skydiving?
Do you want to learn how to make an authentic Mexican burrito?
Do you want to learn how to read faster so you can read more books without getting bored?
Do you want to explore your surroundings more?
These questions should get your brain thinking of things you’ve long forgotten or lost interest in.
Wake up your inner child and let them out.
Is it better to learn one thing at a time?
Since our brain only focuses on one task at a time, it’s best to try not to multitask in one sitting. With that said it’s also really beneficial for you to have multiple projects, hobbies, or interests going at once. When you get bored or stuck on one project, switch to the next to give your brain a break.
Albert Einstein used this specific method whenever he got stuck on one of his projects. Instead of being stubborn and trying to power through, he switched to a project that was completely different. This allowed him to clear his mind and focus on something else. Whenever he’d return to his previous project, his mind would be calm and clear which assisted him in solving the problem he was previously stuck on.
Take a page from his brilliant mind.
Slow multitasking opens up the opportunity for you to try new things that rapidly elevate and accelerate your personal growth and development journey.
The more things you’re willing to try, the more you’ll learn how to create the life you don’t need a vacation from.
There’s no better time to start than to start right now.
What new thing can I learn today?
Think outside the box.
Have you ever thought you’d never do something because it was too scary or seemed too ridiculous? Do that. The best stories come from us trying something we thought we’d never do.
I never thought I’d ever go skydiving and it wasn’t because I was scared of heights or of jumping out of a plane. It was because I was always told that skydiving is not something black people do.
My, my, how wrong they were!
I’ve always been a rebel and have done things people have told me not to do so when the opportunity came to go skydiving, I jumped (literally!) without any second thoughts. It was an amazing experience!
I learned something new about myself by doing it too! Despite not having any photos or videos of the event, I’ll always remember that I didn’t get the adrenaline rush that everyone had. I learned years later that not getting the rush was a good thing! It means that I can eventually become a certified jumper. Who knows? Maybe one day that will become a reality. I do plan to skydive around the world so that may be in the cards!
You don’t have to be a daredevil like me to try something new every day. Your new thing could be as simple as learning how to draw a puppy or cooking a new dish.
You have to know what interests you and what doesn’t interest you and do them both. You’ll be surprised by what you’ll end up loving.
Change one habit at a time
Our main problem as humans is that we are suckers for routine. If something goes amiss some of us would lose our bearings.
I like to tell people who are scared to travel because of their fear of getting lost that I’ve been lost my whole life.
Think about your own life: Weren’t you lost in school, not knowing what to do until you learned it? Weren’t you completely lost on the first day of your job? Being lost is how we grow.
We get lost in every new environment we’re shoved in, then we adapt and outgrow it, only to get lost again in the next new environment.
When you look at the world and your experiences through that ‘I’m always lost’ mentality, nothing will have the power to scare you into believing that you won’t excel in any situation. You’ll adapt quickly and move on to the next adventure.
Don’t let the fear of the unknown keep you from experiencing life at its fullest.
“I realized if I wait until I’m not scared to try new things, then I’ll never get to try them at all.”― Marie Sexton
What should you do every day for the next thirty days?
To help you on your journey to trying one new thing every day, I’ve made a list of suggestions. You can use it as a guide or for inspiration. Whichever way you choose, just do it.
- Eat a meal from a country you’ve never tried before. For example, French, German, or African cuisine.
- Learn how to dance the tango.
- Learn and a few new phrases in a language that interests you.
- Watch a documentary.
- Read an autobiography.
- Read a Sci-Fi book.
- Cook a new dish.
- Go for a walk in the park.
- Take a nap under a tree.
- Be a tourist in your hometown and take photos of everything that interests you.
- Go to a record shop.
- Visit an island.
- Go bird watching.
- Sing your favorite song as loud as you can (till your neighbors get tired of you 🙂 )
- Go to a pet store and play with the animals.
- Take a bike ride.
- Plant a seed of your favorite vegetable or fruit and watch it grow (remember to water it)
- Write your dreams in your journal.
- Write down all your goals and dreams that you wish to accomplish in one year.
- Draw a candle burning.
- Learn how to swim.
- Do something that scares you.
- Shower in cold water (you should try to do this every day, it’s great for your brain)
- Buy food for a homeless person.
- Find a quiet place away from traffic and daydream (no music allowed)
- Wake up at four in the morning one day.
- Go to bed at nine o’clock at night.
- Do a yoga class
- Try water fasting for twenty-four hours (drink it hot or cold)
- Meditate for thirty minutes to an hour (sit still in a quiet place, close your eyes and listen to your breath)
The key is to try one new thing for a day. If you don’t like it, then don’t do it again but at least you can now say with confidence that you’ve tried it. Stretch your comfort zone and unlock your true potential, the only thing holding you back is the limits you place on yourself.
“You will never know how much you can accomplish until you try. Never stop trying.”― Lailah GiftyAkita
