Welcome back to my new series, 31 Days Of Purpose! If you are just joining in, you can find all of previous challenges here!
Do you live on the edge, taking risks, and trying new things? Do you play it safe and stick to your comfort zone?
Sometimes it’s easier to stay comfortable in our surroundings and what we do for hobbies than trying out new experiences.
This is especially true if you are an introvert! I know this because, I am one and I have to force myself to try new things all the time. Whether it’s trying something new on the menu at a restaurant that we go to frequently, reading books that aren’t nonfiction, shopping at new stores, or going on vacation to new places, I’m far more comfortable doing things that I know. New experiences can be difficult, and that’s putting it mildly.
When it comes to trying new things to experience life introverts tend to shy away, but that isn’t always what’s best to live a purposeful life!
When Jason and I vacationed on the island of St. Kitts a few years ago, he wanted to go zip-lining above the rainforests. I instantly cringed at the idea. I didn’t know what to expect, I was nervous, had no idea if it’d be safe, and the whole idea scared me.
I nervously applied my gear, wishing I was back on the nice hot beach enjoying a cold drink, as the sweat built up on my back. Luckily the zip-line had a “beginner” line that everyone had to try before going out and zipping over the rain forest, a river, and a beautiful valley.
Guess what?
It was one of the best experiences I’ve had vacationing ever! I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Zip-lining over the rain forest was not only fun, it was breathtaking… in a great way! The rain forest was beautiful. The sensation of gliding over the trees was like nothing I’d ever experienced and we had a blast. (And I didn’t pee my pants from being scared!) I’m grateful that he persuaded me to try something new because it was an experience of a lifetime.
Zip-lining might not be your thing, and that’s completely fine! There are many hobbies and experiences you can try for yourself that may be less scary!
Here are a just a few: (**Some of the links in this post are my referral links. When you order a product through this link it may result in a small commission. Thank you for your support of my site and for supporting my family! You can read my disclosure policy here.)
- Take photos with a real camera (you know…not with your cell phone). I have a Canon EOS Rebel and I absolutely love it. I received mine a year ago for a Christmas/birthday present and it makes an amateur take great photos.
If you enjoy it, enter them in a contest! Be brave!
- Take a 31 Day Challenge. I love these because even if only 10 days relate to me, I learn something from those 10 days.
- Start a club with your friends. Whether it’s a club where you go out once a month to dinner, cook something together, drink wine, or read a book and discuss it, anything you are all interested in and could get together can make a fun club. Find a few friends to join and you are on your way!
- Volunteer tutoring underprivileged kids, at a nursing home, at your church (there are many activities that you can do that aren’t in front of a crowd such as making food for new mothers, cleaning, or landscaping) or an animal shelter.
- Try a new form of exercise: Pilates
, Yoga
- Visit somewhere that you haven’t been before. This doesn’t have to be big! It could be a town close to your home, a store in your neighborhood that you’ve never been in, or a restaurant new to you!
- Try something new at the grocery store. (Make sure you understand how to cook it, so you don’t waste your money!)
- Visit a restaurant that you’ve never eaten the cuisine before. If you have friends that love Japanese food and you’ve been afraid to try it, go with them and give it a whirl! (I like trying new things with people that have already had the experience because many times they know what’s good about it or have tips to make it more enjoyable.)
- Take a class to learn something new you are interested in. Knitting, family history, photography or computer skills.
- And just for fun, try out some Adult Coloring Books
. Relive your childhood. I know coloring isn’t new, but chances are you haven’t colored in awhile. Enjoy yourself!
Your challenge today is to come up with 3 new experiences you could try. Pick one and put it on your calendar within the next month. (Remember it doesn’t have to be big…small steps are just fine with me!)
Let me know what you have chosen! I think we’ll have some great ideas from you all!
Have you enjoyed what you read here today? Do you have friends or other women you know that could benefit from this resource? If so, please do me a favor! I have included the links below to share with other intentional women! They’ll be glad you did!
Leave a Reply