Does trying something new scare or overwhelm you? Usually, I ask that question and people jump to their big fear and say “Yes, it scares me.” But you don’t have to start with the big fear (flying, heights, clowns,) you can start much smaller and make trying something new a part of your daily life. Here are 5 ways to try something new.
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Take a Different Route to Work
Seems simple right? We’re such creatures of habit that we usually get to work on our own internal autopilot. Ever get halfway to work and realize that you don’t remember most of the drive? When that happens to me I always feel like it’s lost time that I can’t get back. Plus, it might be dangerous. Taking a different route keeps you engaged in the drive….which turn do you have to make?
Some studies also indicate that this type of activity stimulates your brain to think creatively because it’s doing something that it’s not used to doing. In a situation where you can’t drive a different route? Try parking in a different parking space.
Try A Different Food
We all get stuck in food ruts. Eating the same thing week after week. But these changes don’t need to be drastic. Like a hamburger? Try a turkey burger or a veggie burger. Even this red meat lover admits they are pretty good. Only eat fried chicken or chicken strips? Try roasting a chicken or small turkey. Yes, just a small change from frying to roasting can count as trying something new. It’s not about going from fried chicken to eating live crickets. Any small change is a step in the direction of trying something new. Now if you want to take it a step further, then do it. Find a recipe you’ve never tried before and make it. Have fun, Pinterest is loaded with lots of different recipes to try.
Try a Different Workout
Not only will trying a different workout get you out of a rut, but it will also help you by using your muscles in a different way. If you like to run, which is very solitary, it’s time to try a team sport like volleyball or basketball. Are you a Cross Fit fan? Then try yoga. Never exercised before? Then go for a walk.
Changing up workouts is a good way to let certain muscle groups rest while others are working harder. Plus it challenges your muscles to work in different ways, which allows them to stay more flexible and can reduce injuries.
Try to Go It Alone
Always do things in groups? Time to try doing something alone. Take yourself out on a date. Go to dinner or a movie or an art gallery by yourself. Now all the choices of what to do next are yours and not left up to a group debate. For some people, this might be near the top of big fears, but if you start small you can overcome this fear.
Try Coloring
This is a great first step for anyone who wants to be artistic but doesn’t know how or is afraid that they won’t be good enough. Coloring isn’t just for kids anymore and right now coloring books for adults are a big craze. So jump on the bandwagon and grab some crayons or markers and let your inner artist out (or is that inner child?) There are many coloring books to choose from including ones with Mandelas or Animals or my husband’s new favorite one, Swear Words. Coloring has been known to relieve stress and I know we can all do with a little bit of that.
Trying something new doesn’t have to be drastic. I hope these five ideas stimulate your imagination for other ways that you can try something new. I’d love to hear what new things you have tried recently.
Strange! I remember leaving a response here yesterday. Where’s it gone? I enjoyed this post. I don’t like “new things” so it’s something I have to encourage myself to do. Thanks for breaking it down into simple steps.
I used to be stuck in that rut that I speak of and it took a friend to push me out the door and make me go backpacking and cross country skiing. But I realized over time that doing new things didn’t have to be “big” anything that was different from what I was used to, anything that took me out of the rut that I was in, counted as trying something new.
I’ve been wanting to get a coloring book. I loved coloring as a kid!
I started #5 this week!
Great suggestions. I do like to try new things…doing it alone is hard for me. When I was younger, I got into the routine of going alone to the movies..artsy, small…loved it..I think the only reason why I don’t do it now, is I m never alone with 3 kids anymore!
I think I’ve done the swear words already! Must get back to the coloring.
This week, I’m pushing myself to rewrite my CV after 8 years!
Ha Ha – number 4 made me smile – in my case, I need to do the opposite! Solitude gets more and more attractive as the years go by and going it alone is my de-fault position! Going to an arty group thing tonight – don’t wanna go but taking your advice (No 4 in reverse). Already having conversations with myself about why I should stay home! Love my friends but new people? Yikes!
I tried something new this week, hosting my first linky party. It took me forever to build the nerve; I kept thinking I’d get something wrong. Eventually I just wend for it. BTW, it cracks me up that there’s a swear words coloring book!
That’s great that you just went for it. I hope it was a success.
Great ideas and good advice, Jennifer. I like your style!
Thank you! I appreciate the feedback.
It’s always good to shake things up a bit. We tend to get stuck in a routine, and that can become a rut.
Carol
http://carolcassara.com/social-media-anxiety/
Jennifer, I love this. As someone who gets in ruts routinely, I need someone to advise me otherwise. Although I did try a veggie burger recently and loved it! Thank you for this.
I’m always one to take the “scenic” route to break up the mundane on the same pedestrian trip to work everyday. Trying different foods is always a good one. I tried sushi on a dare and kicked my self in the head every day afterwards for being scared of it.
The first time I tried sushi, I hated it. Twenty years later, I tried again and like it—-not to the point that I kick myself in the head though!
I recently got hooked into coloring and I love it. It is so relaxing. I can rid my mind if everything except for my next color choice.
I love it too! It is relaxing.
With the monotony of the same schedule every day – write, work on SM, write, work on SM I need to shake it up a bit! Thanks for the ideas. I really do need them.
Thanks these are great tips, Jennifer. I can have trouble trying new things but at the same time, have been thrown in the deep-end time and time again by my kids. They’ve had me skiing, playing the violin and the latest…playing the Baritone Horn. This has helped me be more flexible
I’m afraid I have to disagree that most of the adult colouring in books I find are relaxing. Most of them are way too detailed and fiddly. Would drive me nuts. I just can not bring myself to colour inbetween the lines on purpose just to get the thing finished before next century. I did find a good one with bigger pictures with motivational quotes on alternate pages. I was going to turn that into my own personal motivational book and used top quality coloured pencils, which looked great but alas, writing led me astray yet again! xx Rowena
Violin and Baritone Horn? That’s a pretty interesting combo. Sounds like you have fun kids you are going to keep you actively involved in new things.
Second time commenting here – last time, I was about to go to an evening arty group and was a bit reticent – but it has been brilliant and I made some good (very crazy!) friends – so trying new stuff is good. 🙂