The Case for Trying New Things
Here’s your push to try something new, especially if you’re an adulty adult. In adulthood we get into rhythms and routines, and sometimes we forget that it’s good for our brains to experience new things.
So let’s talk about new things, and how to build new experiences into our lives.
First, why continually try new things?
It stretches our brains! Having to build new neural pathways in order to learn something new helps our brains stay young and agile, and reduces our future risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
We learn new things about ourselves. Maybe taking a dance class helps you understand how your body and brain are connected, or taking a drawing class helps you see that you have a great eye for color, or going on a hike helps you realize how much you love the smell of crisp morning air.
We can make new friends or strengthen current friendships. This is particularly true when we do a structured repeated activity, like taking a pottery class, or volunteering with a Habitat for Humanity team. The repeated, consistent time with new people helps us to build shared bonds as we do whatever activity together.
Now, what if you need ideas about new things to try?
Take a class: dance, yoga, some other kind of movement; art — drawing, painting, pottery, sculpture, etc; culinary — cooking, cocktail making, wine/beer/liquor tasting, chocolate/dessert making
Join a group centered around a mutual interest: meetup group, church group, employee resource group, book club, choir
Take up a new hobby: knitting/crocheting, gardening, crafting, walking/running, hiking, swimming, weightlifting
Volunteer: community center, local church, museum/library, school/educational program, prison/detention center
Learn a new skill: home DIY projects, cooking/baking, flower arranging, woodwork, fixing your own car, learning a language
How to get started/stay consistent?
Recognize when you have capacity for a new thing, even if it’s only in a small way. If you’re already overwhelmed by everything in your life, learning how to make that complicated new dish might send you over the edge, or you might find it a fun escape from the chaos of regular life.
Take some one with you. Try a new thing with a friend, so that you also get to spend quality time together. So if you realize that you both really hate basket weaving, at the very least you got to do it together.
Create a list. Maybe you already know the kinds of new things you want to try already. It could be helpful to keep a list of them and check them off as you try them. The list doesn’t have to be binding, you can add or remove items as your interests change. (As an example, I have a 40 before 40 list of things I want to do/see/experience before I turn 40.)
What new thing are you going to try?
