Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below, and I may receive commissions for purchases made through the links in the post. However, these are products I highly recommend. I won’t list anything I haven’t tried and found personally useful.

I follow several YouTube creators, such as Anna Uncharted, who reports her life living in a van. From a voyeur's perspective, reducing one's things to the contents of a vehicle and traveling around seems exciting, but I can also imagine the constant unknowns prove mentally exhausting.

 But Anna is resourceful. She takes on all the issues of auto repair and navigating daily life as well as scenic hikes with a smile and a camera. At 60, the thought of altering things so dramatically seems far-fetched. Still, no matter where you are, we can each benefit from shaking the ground beneath us to break the chains of monotony.   

When was the last time you looked at your life with wonder and curiosity rather than as a series of day-in and day-out sameness? By taking on new activities, even small ones, you can freshen up your life story and how you view and live. 

What New Can Do for You

For many, the new year is a time to set resolutions and make improvements. But if that sounds like drudgery, why not try being kind to yourself by inviting in more adventure?

Doing new things, even in small doses, is the kind of medicine that turns ho-hum into more joy in life.

 The benefits of doing new activities more often are many, but here are a few of the best:

 Foster improved brain function: Challenging yourself by breaking out of routine opens your brain to forge new neuron connections and even form new neurons. Our brains gravitate to habits because they require less energy, so when we step out of the ordinary, our brains must fire up more cylinders and do more work. That is good brain exercise.

 Know yourself better: Ultimately, you are your most constant companion. Knowing who you are and developing a positive relationship with yourself is something only you can do. By trying new things, you learn more about your preferences, abilities, and future dreams.

Strengthen your resilience: Life is throwing up change whether we like it or not, so learning how to endure and prevail with it is critical. By intentionally setting out to try new things, you build up your ability to pivot when tough changes occur.

Be present in your present: Truly, the only thing that any of us is guaranteed is the time we live right now. By breaking out of our regular activities, we can see and feel our life more fully as it unfolds at the moment.

Photos clockwise starting top left my efforts to incorporate new activities: 

 Attend a cultural event: February in Iowa is usually cold and covered in snow. I find it challenging to venture out at night and tend to sink into a seasonal funk. This year I’m making a conscious effort to get out more during the winter. A concert is on my calendar!

 Learn a new language: Not quite new in that I’ve tried and failed to learn Spanish in the past, but it’s never too late to try again. Duo Lingo has helped because I could never structure basic sentences in the past! 

 Prepare a new dish: I rely on recipes because I don’t have natural talents in the kitchen. Results for new recipes will vary wildly. I tried Thai Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce which I’m sure would have been good with someone more skilled. For me, not so good. 

 Visit new cultural venues: Winter is a perfect time to head to the Botanical Center and escape the cold. You can take a quick vacation by enjoying a museum or other cultural space where you live. 

 An Idea List of New Activities

Go to venues where you live that you don't often visit or have yet to see. Check out local museums, an aquarium, or a library.

1. Take walks on different trails or in neighborhoods you've not visited before.

2. Schedule coffees with people you don't often see or want to get to know. Don't wait for someone else to set a date. You call and schedule it!

3. Listen to new musical artists. A great way to discover new music is to check out the NPR Tiny Desk concerts online.

4. Try new foods. Pick a vegetable, fruit, or a new kind of cheese and give it a whirl.

5. Check out local free events and make a point of attending.  

6. Learn a new language.

7. Try a new craft hobby. I recommend Origami! All you need is paper and video instructions you can find online.

8. Plan a gathering. Form a group to read books or watch films and open it up to new people you don't know. Ask each guest you know to bring along a new friend.

9. Find a volunteer organization in your community and pitch in.

 Rather than focusing on a list of to-dos in your life, try incorporating small new activities in your life more often. By making room for small adventures, you're more likely to refresh your view of your life story as it unfolds and even find the energy to tackle goals for your future.

Speaking of small steps, if changing habits is on your mind, read about how to approach change in mini increments.

Postscript: When things seem out of control like it feels these days, acting where we have control is a comfort. Cleaning up your stuff is within your power! If you need help getting going on organizing your home check out Get Organized Gal’s courses for support.

I used her course to organize my office, and it is in pretty good shape these days. Success in one space has lead to cleaning channels to other rooms and photos as well. Check out he courses here. 

Sherry is the founder of Storied Gifts a personal publishing service of family and company histories. She and her team help clients curate and craft their stories into books. When not writing or interviewing, Sherry spends loads of time with her grandchildren and lives in Des Moines, Iowa.

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The shop is a mother and daughter venture for Sherry and Alexandra Borzo of Content In Motion. They both work to help their client's stories sing. The shop is their effort to inspire a focus on healthy minds for everyone through positive thought.

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