Help, My Life is Boring! How Doing New Things Every Week Will Change Your Life
Do you ever feel like your life is boring?
Your days are filled with routine (which can be calming, admittedly), but also nothing changes.
You drop off the kids at school, go to work, have the same frozen Amy’s Mexican Casserole meal and an apple for lunch every day. Go home, supervise homework, take kids to dance class or soccer practice. Make dinner, clean house, and collapse in front of the TV to binge Hell’s Kitchen where at least there’s a little excitement with Gordon Ramsay smashing raw salmon and shouting expletives at the poor chefs.
It’s so meh sometimes. Not bad, necessarily, but definitely boring. One day is an awful lot like the next except you might switch up what you watch on Netflix.
Imagine your life if you challenged yourself to do something new every single week.
How would your life be different if you tried new things? Would you achieve new goals? Laugh more? Find new hobbies or new favorite vacation places?
Maybe you’ll discover you DON’T like raw oysters or stand-up paddle boarding even though you were sure hot sauce would make oysters palatable and paddle boarding would become your new obsession.
Think about it like trying things for the first time. That’s easy, right?
When you’re a kid you do first things (or new things) all the time. Playing a card game, riding a bike, talking to the cute guy in your 5th grade homeroom.
Some of those firsts are easy and fun, some can be challenging, but they are never boring! When you’re a child, doing things for the first time are part of play, part of life.
When we become adults we have less and less FIRSTS.
Some of us (fellow introverts raise your hands!) really crave routine and sameness. We sometimes avoid trying things for the first time on purpose.
Wouldn’t it be crazy cool to challenge yourself to do one FIRST every single week for a year??
Maybe you’ll love cutting your hair for the first time in a decade, maybe you will lose $50 for being brave enough to try playing poker at a casino table, or maybe you will fail spectacularly with a new business idea.
One thing you WON’T be is bored.
In this blog post you'll learn:
The inspiration behind the 52 weeks of FIRSTS Challenge.
10 benefits of trying new things.
5 tips for people scared to try new things.
The 52 Weeks of FIRSTS Challenge Rules.
My FIRSTS for 2023 (so far).
52 fun and interesting things adults can do for the first time.
Download a FREE 52 Weeks of Firsts Challenge Tracker (no opt-in-required)!
The 52 Weeks of FIRSTS Challenge
I was inspired to try an entire of year of FIRSTS - one per week - while listening to the School of Self-Image Podcast with Tonya Leigh. Her December 14, 2022 episode was entitled “The Importance of Firsts." Tonya got me excited about getting out of my comfort zone and trying new things.
She helped me believe my life did not have to be boring, monotonous, or the same.
Tonya made me think trying new things - or FIRSTS - would be fun, like a game.
It would be a CHALLENGE.
As soon as I thought of trying new things in terms of a challenge, I was ALL IN.
I started my challenge on January 1, 2023, but you can start at any time. I'm sharing exactly how I will be planning and tracking my FIRSTS, the "rules" of my challenge, and a free printable "52 Weeks of Firsts Tracker" you can download and either print or use on an iPad or tablet.
In case you're not sufficiently motivated to try doing your own 52 Weeks of Firsts Challenge, did you know there are lots of benefits to trying new things as an adult??
“Our firsts are what make life so incredible and amazing. It’s what grows our character. It’s how we learn about the world, how we learn about ourselves.”
10 benefits to trying new things and having new experiences:
Trying new things and having new experiences will expand your knowledge and understanding of the world.
You may discover new interests or hobbies that you enjoy and excel at.
Taking risks can help you grow as a person and become more confident.
You may learn new skills and techniques that can be beneficial in other areas of life.
Meeting new people and exploring new places can open up social networks and broaden your horizons.
Taking on challenges can boost your self-esteem and make you feel more accomplished.
Having new experiences will create lasting memories that you can reflect on in the future.
Trying something new can help you to appreciate different cultures and customs.
It can be fun and adventurous, and you may surprise yourself with the things you can do.
Your life will no longer be BORING!
First time flying in the “big seats” on Spirit Airlines. (The poor person’s first class!)
To my fellow introverts...
Doing new things, first things, sometimes means taking a big step outside of our comfort zone. My first FIRST of 2023 (which I'll share below) was as easy as ordering burrata off of a menu. I was pretty sure I would love it. And I did. It was a FIRST, but not much of a challenge.
Other firsts, like taking a yoga class or taking a solo vacation, might be scary.
So I present...
5 tips for people scared to try new things:
Start small. It can be scary to take big leaps, so try starting with small steps. Maybe start by trying a new food or taking a short walk to a new place.
Try new things, like visiting a museum or going on a fun weekend road trip, with a trusted friend or family member.
Do some research. Researching a new activity or adventure can help you know what to expect and can make it feel less intimidating.
Create a plan. Making a plan for how you'll approach a new experience can help reduce your anxiety.
Celebrate all your firsts! Even if it's a small first (like when I tried a bite of anchovy for the first time), take the time to acknowledge it and celebrate your accomplishments. Doing this will help you build confidence and courage to try new things!
My first time trying mahi mahi at the Copperhead Tavern in Indialantic, Florida.
The 52 Week of FIRSTS Challenge Rules.
Unlike a weight loss or fitness challenge, the 52 Weeks of Firsts Challenge is supposed to be FUN. I mean, the whole goal is to create a life that is decidedly NOT BORING.
Step 1: Start with your WHY.
Whenever I do a challenge of any sort I start with the reason WHY I am doing this. Committing to 52 weeks of new things definitely needs a powerful WHY to keep me motivated for an entire year.
My WHY is I want to see how my life will be different when I try new things more often. I commit to trying a few big and scary things, and I commit to trying lots of small things. I will channel my inner adventurous spirit and say YES to life and NO to boredom.
Use the free printable to brainstorm possible firsts that sound fun to you!
Step 2: Brainstorm a list of possible FIRSTS.
This is the fun part! Write down anything you can think of and keep an ongoing list. (There is space in the free printable planner for you to make your own list.)
Here is just part of my list.
Try burrata (it’s a creamy Italian cheese that has been served many times on Below Deck Mediterranean and I want to try it!)
Watch a rocket launch, preferably live
Learn how to cook a filet perfectly
Drink bone broth every single day for a week
Visit a new place for a mini vacation
Fly first class (not just the Spirit big seats!)
Pack carry-on-only for a trip of more than 5 days (super scary for someone who is not a minimalist!)
Shop at Nordstrom’s and buy something
Have my eyebrows done
Buy and wear a dress multiple times
Learn and study how to play poker
Drink green or matcha tea instead of coffee every day for a week
Make a butter board, even just for me (here's one that looks cool)
Try mahi mahi
Try another kind of fish (and learn how to cook it well)
Buy a new high quality pan (the kind that Gordon Ramsay uses)
Go an entire week without watching TV
Go an entire week without getting on Twitter
Try a new green smoothie recipe
Try new fruit and vegetables
Go out to dinner by myself and don’t play on my phone!
Research and try out a new sport
Register for a 5k walk (this is a first for me at this stage of my life)
Train to do a pull-up
Back into a parking spot using my car’s backup camera
Train Meatball to do some cute puppy trick
Try hibiscus tea
Plant something new in the garden
Try ube (vanilla-scented purple yam)
Throw a dinner party just because
Learn a new way of playing solitaire - with real cards
Design a sand or beach feature for my backyard
You'll notice many of my potential FIRSTS are easy, like trying a new food. Some are free (staying off Twitter!) and some, like flying first class, will cost lots of money.
Some FIRSTS on my list (doing a 5k walk and a pull-up) I have done before. Actually, I've run tons of 5k's, half-marathons, and marathons. But at this stage of my life, battling inflammatory and knee osteoarthritis, it will be a sort of NEW FIRST. A FIRST for the me I am right now. A first for me at this stage of my life.
So, when making your list, definitely think of FIRSTS you can do again, at this stage of YOUR life. Like going to the zoo with your grandchildren instead of your children. Or doing a puzzle as an adult, even though you did one when you were 8 years old.
My first time trying burrata and it was AMAZING! I ordered this at the Rooftop Bar at Djon’s Village Market in Indialantic, Florida.
Step 3: Start planning your FIRSTS.
Some FIRSTS can be spur of the moment, like tossing a new fruit or veggie in your grocery cart. Others, like throwing a dinner party, involve planning. Add some tentative FIRSTS to your calendar and always be open to new possibilities and opportunities that may present themselves.
Don’t attach a lot of rules to your FIRSTS. In a perfect world, our firsts will all be epic, challenging, and in within our budget. Real life is a lot different.
You may not have time to attend a weeklong yoga retreat in India. You might not have the resources (or vacation days) to do an around-the-world cruise.
Give yourself permission to do lots of easy and free FIRSTS.
RELATED: You can plan your FIRSTS using the calendar app on your phone, a paper planner, or with Google Calendar. If you are a Google Calendar lover like I am, check out how to create a Beach Theme for Google Cal!
Step 4: Record (and celebrate!) your FIRSTS!
This is the fun and rewarding part!! Using the free printable, write down all of your firsts. If you have more than one in a week, that's great! CELEBRATE each and every one, even if it's something you'll never do again (like me eating a sardine, haha).
With each FIRST you will learn something about yourself. You will tap into your spirit of adventure. You might discover a new hobby or favorite food, or make a new friend. You might decide you hate gardening (I always do in the 90+ degree sweltering heat and humidity), or won't ever need to watch another Disney movie.
Learn from the experiences, celebrate your new not-boring life, and congratulate yourself for TRYING!!
Want more potential FIRSTS ideas for your definitely-not-boring life??
52 Fun and Interesting Things Adults Can Do For the First Time:
Take a cooking class
Start a blog
Make one of your grandma’s recipes
Take a walk and say hi or wave to everyone you see
Teach your dog a new trick
Make a funny video. If you’re really brave, post it to TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube
Write love letters to your spouse, siblings, parents, and/or children
Learn a new language
Go skydiving
Take a road trip
Go camping (or glamping!)
Visit a museum
Attend a music festival
Take a yoga or Pilates class
Join a book club
Take a photography class
Take a dance class
Rent a kayak
Visit a National Park
Go sailing
Take a pottery class
Visit a botanical garden
Go to a wine tasting
Visit an aquarium
Go horseback riding
Take a writing class
Volunteer at a shelter
Take a painting class
Go to a comedy show
Go on a hot air balloon ride
Visit an art gallery
Go to the theatre
Take a Zumba class
Go on a cruise
Participate in a wine and cheese pairing
Visit an amusement park
Take a flying lesson
Take a helicopter tour
Go out for karaoke
Go on a bike tour
Take a martial arts class
Join a sailing club
Go on a brewery tour
Visit a historic site
Learn to play a musical instrument
Go to a farmers market
Attend a sports game
Go on a food tour
Take a stand-up paddleboard lesson
Take a wilderness survival class
Go on a hiking adventure
Buy stock in your favorite company
First time drinking coffee on the beach!
My FIRSTS of 2023 (so far).
I'm writing this on January 11, 2023, so we're not even three full weeks into the year. Still, I have a bunch of firsts already checked off my list! Some were spur-of-the-moment firsts which make me happy because I am not a spontaneous person at all.
I flew to Florida on January 1 for a beach vacation so some of my firsts were really easy to get. But they all count!!!
Week 1
January 1: Flew in the "big" seats on Spirit Airlines. If you know Spirit, you know everything about that airline screams "budget." You can pay extra to be seated in one of the "big" seats in the first several rows. They are two across instead of three, so while the experience is not luxurious or first class in any way, at least you have room to stretch your legs and don't feel like your personal space is invaded by your neighbor.
January 1: I tried mahi mahi for the first time at Copperhead Tavern in Indialantic, Florida. It was slightly over-cooked and reminded me of cod. Turns out mahi is a very popular fish served in Florida. Now that I'm home I've already bought some mahi mahi to cook myself. I'll use this recipe.
January 2: I tried burrata (and it was AMAZING)! While binge-watching Below Deck Mediterranean, and salivating over the gourmet food served on luxury yachts, I kept seeing burrata on the menu. I had no idea what it was - I first thought it was a fish. Actually Burrata is an Italian cheese made from a combination of mozzarella and cream. I ordered a burrata appetizer served with fresh pesto, plum and cherry tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, and sea salt. It was amazing! In fact, the whole family loved it!!
January 3: Saw my first rocket launch live!!! This is my favorite FIRST so far. From our beach vacation, I was able to see and video the SpaceX rocket launch. And hear the sonic boom when the booster re-entered the atmosphere. This was super cool.
January 5: I ate an anchovy (well a piece of one) for the first time. This was an accidental first. My sons ordered Caesar salads and the waiter asked if they wanted anchovies. Eww. They both said yes. When the salads arrived I thought "what a great opportunity to TRY one!" So I stole a bite. It tasted like super salty tuna. Not entirely unpleasant, but not a FIRST I want to repeat.
Week 2
January 11: I posted my first YouTube short. Did you notice my video of my first rocket launch up above? I uploaded it to YouTube as a short for the first time. (If you aren’t already subscribed to my YouTube channel, check it out!)
Week 3
January 15: Signed up for a winter reading challenge at my local library.
January 19: Tried gluten-free, dairy-free mac and cheese. It’s not as good as real mac and cheese, but it is palatable. (Amy’s brand.)
Week 4
January 25: Learned how to play Beehive Solitaire with a deck of cards. This was actually easy and super fun.
Week 5
January 30 - Played Octordle for the first time and (amazingly) won!
January 30 - Finished Winter book reading challenge and collected my mug prize!
Week 6
February 6 - Tried purple sweet potatoes - yummy!
Week 7
February 12: Did Kansas City Chiefs-themed snack spread for the Super Bowl.
February 14: Tried a number of unusual foods at a Valentine's Day French Smokehouse Dinner at Meat Mitch Restaurant, including gruyere Gougeres, Smoked Steak Tartare, Charred French Onion Soup and mini Croque Monsieur, Languedoc Cassoulet w/Duck Confit, Pork Belly & Beef Cheek, La Maison du Chocolat Pot de Creme with Chambord Chantilly. (Phew, that’s a mouthful!)
Week 8
February 19: Designed a t-shirt for an upcoming girls weekend using Canva.
February 20: Microwaved bacon without paper towels (avoiding leaching chemicals or bleach into meat). Saved bacon fat for cooking. Not a fan of this method. The bacon was crisp but seemed a lot greasier than I am used to.
February 21: Committed to 90 days of a carnivore diet. I'm doing this to try to alleviate the symptoms of my autoimmune disease.
February 21: Finished a crochet afghan kit! I've been working on this for almost a year! I learned tons of new stitches, and I am super proud of myself.
Week 5
January 30 - Played Octordle for the first time.
January 30 - Finished the Winter book reading challenge and collected my prize mug!
Week 6
February 6 - Tried purple sweet potatoes - yummy!
Week 7
February 12: Made a Kansas City Chiefs-themed snack spread for the Super Bowl. (Read the blog post HERE.)
February 14: Tried a number of unusual foods at a Valentine's Day French Smokehouse Dinner at Meat Mitch Restaurant, including Gruyere Gougeres, Smoked Steak Tartare, Charred French Onion Soup and mini Croque Monsier, Languedoc Cassoulet w/Duck Confit, Pork Belly & Beef Cheek, La Maison du Chocolat Pot de Creme with Chambord Chantilly.
Week 8
February 19: Designed a t-shirt for an upcoming girls weekend using Canva. (See tutorial HERE.)
February 20: Microwaved bacon without paper towels (avoiding leaching chemicals or bleach into meat). Saved bacon fat for cooking. Not a fan of this method. The bacon was crisp but seemed way more greasy that I am used to.
February 21: Committed to 90 days of a carnivore diet. I'm doing this to try to alleviate symptoms of my autoimmune disease.
February 21: Finished a crochet afghan kit! I've been working on this for almost a year, learned tons of new stitches, and I am super proud of myself.
Week 9
March 3: Grilled salmon in my Ninja Foodi.I do not like using the grill for salmon. I can cook it perfectly on the stovetop, get a great crust, douse it with butter, and I'm good at getting a perfect temp. The Ninja Foodi did not make a good crust, the fish was slightly overcooked, and it was missing the buttery goodness!
February 28 - Cooked a KC Strip Steak in my new Ninja Foodi Grill/Air Fryer. It came out perfectly!
March 1: Also Ninja Foodi related, but I cooked grilled a hamburger in the air fryer and it came out PERFECTLY. I have never been able to get a burger with a little char on the outside and nice and pink on the inside. (This is the Ninja Foodi I own and I purchased it on Amazon.)
Week 10
March 7: Cooked ribs for the first time. My chef son and daughter-in-law gave me tips for cooking ribs in the oven (remove membrane, coat with rub, bake at 275 degrees for about 3-1/2 hours. The St. Louis pork ribs turned out really good!
Week 11
March 15: Tried bread cheese for the first time. A carnivore lady I follow on Twitter posted a pic of pan-fried bread cheese so I tried it. Super yum! It is kind of squeaky and has the consistency of cheese curds. I fried it in a little butter and will definitely do this again.
March 17: First girls-only road trip for a dance competition!
Week 12
March 19: Tried Chilean Sea Bass for the first time at Landry’s Seafood House in St. Louis. It was topped with crab meat and a white wine cream sauce. It reminded me of cod - kind of meaty and mild.
March 19: Went up in the Wheel at the St. Louis Union Station! I was actually excited and not scared - UNTIL I stepped inside, haha. It was actually fun and really cool to see a unique "birds-eye" view of the city. It's 200 feet high and we went around 5-6 times.
Even just a few weeks into the year, my life is LESS BORING!
I am going to TOTALLY COMMIT to updating this blog post weekly with my firsts. I mean if I, Jacqui-with-a-super-boring-life, can do at least 52 firsts this year, you can too!
I hope I have inspired you to do your own 52 Weeks of FIRSTS Challenge! I'd love it if you share in the comments what are some of the firsts you've experienced this year. Remember, you don't have to wait until January 1st. Start this any time of year.
And don't forget to click the button below and grab your free printable tracker!
--Jacqui @PlanAHealthyLife