Way back in June when I left work a few weeks earlier than planned and fled to North Carolina for a week, I had a discussion with my mom and her friend that got me thinking. Basically, my mom’s friend had asked her own mother, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” Unfortunately, her mom couldn’t think of a single new thing she had tried in years. YEARS. I know she’s old, but there are so many things in this world to do!
Since then, I’ve thought a lot about this question. And I decided to blog about it. This summer alone, I’ve done the following new things:
- Tried guacamole, ice wine, and gelato (and loved them all!)
- Ate at countless new restaurants (so many awesome restaurants!)
- Traveled to places I’d never been, including: Toronto, L.A., & Vegas
- Moved out of Ohio into Oregon
- Became self-employed
- Went to a nude beach (that was awkward)
- Rode a subway
- Hiked
- Started running
- And more…
And damn, that makes me feel so lucky.
I’ve come to the realization that trying new things is a luxury that many people around the world don’t have. As Americans (and Canadians!), we have this awesome opportunity to do and try new things all the time. Why? Because the majority of us aren’t in survival mode! We may not be loaded but we have enough to experience new things and explore some of the wonderful places to see in this world. But how many people aren’t taking advantage of that?
Routine can keep your life calm and stable. It can also kill you with complacency. There are too many things to see and do to just sit around doing the same things in the same places ALL THE TIME. We all have a bit (or a lot!)of wanderlust inside us. Are you taking advantage of it?
I’m not saying everyone should quit their job and move across the country in a Ford Focus. But please, freaking do something new. Something, ANYTHING! Life is too short to do the same thing every day. Try a new food, travel to a new place, play tourist in your hometown, take a different route to work, create a new game to play with your kids, go to a new coffee shop, talk to new people, read a new book, and/or try a new hairstyle. While none of us really knows why we are here, I’d like to think that life is a gift for us to enjoy while also enriching the lives of others.
In case I don’t express it enough, I feel so freaking fortunate to lead the life I do. I have a wonderful life with so many possibilities. To take advantage of them, I’m going to make sure I always have a recent answer for “when was the last time you did something for the first time?”
Dream big. Try, even though you might fail. And don’t allow complacency to keep you from experiencing all life has to offer.
[Image from tumblr]
