What’s the Secret to Kickstarting Your Motivation, Getting Unstuck, and Being More Mindful? It’s Simple: Try Something New

When was the last time you tried something new? Not something big or earth-shattering, just something new?

My bet is that it’s been a while. Why? Well, there are a number of reasons we refrain from trying new things, but many times, our aversion to “the new” can be boiled down to “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” We have our systems and routines that work for us. We get busy being busy. We think there’s no time for something new. And suddenly, we’re operating on autopilot, feeling bored or just plain stuck.

So how do we reinvigorate and get unstuck?

The secret lies in trying something new. Human beings are curious creatures who thrive on newness. New experiences are good for our mental health, well-being, and brain function.

Unscientifically speaking, when we try new things, we open up and create new pathways in our brain, which allows it to change and grow—learning takes place. New experiences also trigger the release of dopamine, the feel-good brain chemical, which motivates us and brings us joy. Another benefit is mindfulness. New experiences require us to pay attention, to be present, to quiet our inner critic, and to suspend judgment. They take us out of autopilot.

Think about it…how many times have you been driving a route that you have done hundreds of times and you actually forget part of the drive? This is autopilot (yes, the car pun is intended). If you take a new route or even one that is less traveled, you have to pay attention because the streets and sights are unfamiliar. Your brain is working, and you are rewarded with a little hit of dopamine.

Taking Small Steps Toward New Experiences

As I write about in I’m Supposed to Be Doing This: An Adult Gap Year, I realized the profound benefits of new experiences while living in Oaxaca, Mexico. Everything was new—the language I was learning, the hills I walked, the streets I explored, the life I was creating. I was forced to pay attention. I couldn’t operate on autopilot. It was exciting. I was challenged, and I felt alive.

You don’t have to move to a foreign location to reap the benefits of new experiences, and they don’t have to be big. New experiences can be simple and straightforward. But they should push you and make you feel slightly uncomfortable. Mix up your normal commute and take the back roads; sign up for a class you have always wanted to try; go to a restaurant with a new type of cuisine; reach out to an old friend you haven’t connected with in a while.

Fear often stops us from trying new things. Fear of the unknown, fear of looking silly, fear of discomfort. Here’s a bonus secret: we are terrible at predicting how we will actually feel after we try something. And we often over-exaggerate the worst-case scenarios.

My Challenge To You

Try one new thing. Pick a goal and think about why you are doing it. Commit to action and a time frame. Determine how you will hold yourself accountable. Ask what’s going to make it hard. And know that even if you have a bit of trepidation or fear, the benefits of trying something new could be just what you need to push you beyond the stuck feeling you are experiencing into a state of joy and fun!