Is there something you’ve always wanted to do (and probably could) but just haven’t done? This week I was presented with the awesome opportunity to do one of my want-to-but-never-have things: a tarot reading! The lovely Kerry Ward, aka Tarotbella, Cosmopolitan’s tarot expert, reached out to me and offered to do a reading for me, and it was eye-opening, filled with wisdom that I definitely needed to hear! Most importantly, it led me to ask the question, Why didn’t I do this before? It was something I’d always wanted to try, and could have, but just never did.
Like so many of us, I tend to stick to what I know and love, even when I’m deeply curious and intrigued by newness. It’s often not until something pushes or pulls me out of what I know that I explore new experiences. Like with the tarot reading — it literally had to land in my in-box for me to take action!
It’s hard to try new things, especially if that’s not your inherent nature. I totally understand the discomfort that comes with trying something unfamiliar, of being vulnerable in a different environment or experience, but I highly recommend pondering these questions:
What things have I always wanted to try but haven’t?
What’s on that list that I could actually do this week?
This is a great starting point for getting outside of your comfort zone because you’re looking to things that are already appealing to you. (Which is different than, for example, trying something recommended by others that, yes, you’d probably enjoy if you gave it a chance, but that doesn’t necessarily excite you right off the bat.) In addition, if you identify something you can do right now (or this week), you’ll be more likely to actually do it!
Trying new things increases self-awareness, stimulates creativity, helps overcome fear, increases confidence, provides wisdom, and allows you to see the world from a different perspective, but I know how hard it can be for some people (like me!) to do new things. This week, try to do something you’ve always wanted to, and see how it makes you feel! Here are some ideas for things you could do this week…
- Eat at a restaurant you’ve never tried before
- Drive down a road you’ve always been curious about
- Write an email (or letter!) to your favorite author
- Sign up for a dance / yoga / photography class
- Learn about the trees and plants around your home
- Apply to volunteer at a local organization or charity
- Get a tarot or palm reading in person or online
- Find a clear bit of sky to do some stargazing
- Try out that Pinterest idea you pinned ages ago
- Start a handwritten (gratitude?) journal
- Take photos of a beautiful thing you want remember
- Learn to cook a meal you really enjoy eating
- Tell someone about how you really, truly feel
- Hang a string of fairy lights above your bed
- Watch a tutorial on a skill you’ve wanted to master
- Speak up online for a cause you fully believe in
- Go to the library and check out some books (for free!)
- Send flowers to someone you love just because
- Chat with that cute stranger you’ve seen around
- Donate money to a charity you’d like to support
- Look up the answer to a question you’ve pondered
- Adopt a dog or cat (or any other kind of creature)
- Create something you’ve never made before
These are just a few ideas that came to my mind, but hopefully they’ll remind you of something you’ve been wanting to try but never have. It’s never too late to try something new, and, after getting that tarot reading last week, I realized it doesn’t have to be something major. (And it’s also really easy to do if it’s something you’ve always thought about doing!) Get out there and do something for the first time this week! If you do it, let me know in the comments or on social media. I’d love to hear about what you tried and how it went!
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I love your blog! Sometimes I really need your reminder to think positively. Thank you.
I don’t usually comment, but when I saw this article, I knew I had to.
What a coincidence that you’re writing about this now: I’ve wanted to take singing lessons for years and only last week did I finally have my first one ever! I have no desire to join a band, but I deeply love to sing. So I’m doing this for myself. My partner suggested that I wait until we have more in our bank accounts, but I knew that if I didn’t do it now, I could be waiting another 10 years. So off I went. It was nerve-wracking but absolutely worth it. Apparently loads of families discourage their children from singing — so if that’s your situation, just go ahead and do it for you.
Thanks again, Dani, and I’m glad your tarot reading was so rewarding!
K – Wow, what perfect timing! I’m so glad that you’re going after what you want now. Singing is such an amazing gift to the world, and it’s wonderful that you’re sharing your voice.