Have you stopped and asked yourself lately, “When was the last time I did something for the first time?”
If you haven’t, you’re not alone! Most of us are caught up in the routine of daily life, not being intentional about creating new experiences. We find ourselves reliving the same moments without even realizing it. Given how fast time flies, it can easily be a year—or even ten—before we notice we haven’t tried something new or challenging.
One of the reasons we embarked on our full-time travels was to explore the world and expose ourselves to new experiences along the way. We weren’t always sure what those experiences would look like, but we remained open to what felt right in the moment. We often thought about things we’d always wanted to try but hadn’t yet sought out. Since long-term travel can sometimes feel like the same experience in different places, we became intentional about trying new things wherever we went.
Why New Experiences Matter
The point of this reflection isn’t to suggest that you do something just to cross it off a list. Instead, it’s about being intentional with your life—asking yourself what excites, challenges, or even scares you in a way that promotes growth. New experiences don’t just create memories; they help you break free from autopilot, sparking creativity and giving you a sense of achievement.
By asking yourself these key questions, you can figure out what meaningful experiences might be waiting for you:
- What do I truly want to accomplish in this lifetime?
- What scares me but excites me at the same time?
- What did I dream of doing as a child that I haven’t yet done?
- Is there something I enjoyed as a kid that I could revisit as an adult?
- What would my 80-year-old self regret not having tried now?
Here are a few of our own experiences that have challenged and changed us in the last couple of years:
- Quitting our jobs to travel the world: Leaving behind stability for the unknown gave us the freedom to explore life on our terms, turning uncertainty into opportunity. Allowing us to see and do things we would have never expected.
- Living on savings and not working at all: We chose to use most of our savings to enjoy life now, rather than waiting for “later.” It was a risk, but we trusted in our ability to budget what we had and to earn money again in the future, knowing that the one thing we can’t buy is time.
- Volunteering in unexpected places: Immersing ourselves in new cultures through volunteering connected us with people and helped us see the world through different perspectives.
- Hiking the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: We signed up for the 5-day, 4-night adventure, despite having never hiked before. It pushed us out of our comfort zone and gave us a sense of accomplishment we never expected. It is still one of the most incredible experiences we have had.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Big.
Here are some simple ways to step out of your comfort zone:
- Learning how to surf while on vacation
- Creating a new business or learning a new skill
- Taking a solo trip to a nearby town
- Trying a new sport or workout routine
- Cooking a dish from a different culture and sharing it with others
- Signing up for a class in something you’ve always been curious about
- Going to a social event alone and meeting new people
- Practicing public speaking
- Volunteering at a local organization
Trying something new or challenging yourself doesn’t always have to mean leaving your entire life behind. Even small first-time experiences can have a big impact on your growth.
Ready to Get Started? Here’s How:
- Make a List: Sit down and brainstorm a list of all the things you’d like to try in the near future. It doesn’t have to be grand—anything from trying a new dish or going to a movie by yourself to something more extreme, like skydiving, counts.
- Choose One Thing: Select at least one item from your list that feels the most exciting or aligned with where you are in life. Be sure it’s something you can realistically plan for in the next 1–3 months.
- Commit to It: Once you’ve picked your new experience, set a firm date for when you’ll do it. If it feels intimidating, break the process down into smaller steps. For example, if you want to try a solo trip, start by researching destinations or booking a weekend getaway.
- Seek Support Instead of Excuses: It’s easy to make excuses or delay action, but instead of focusing on reasons not to do it, look for support systems to help you. Tell a friend about your plan, join a community, or read up on others who’ve done something similar to motivate you.
- Mark Your Calendar: Bonus tip—schedule a recurring event on your calendar every 3 months titled “Try Something New.” If 3 months feels too frequent, make it every 6 months, but the goal is to build a habit of embracing new experiences regularly.
For Those Already Pushing Boundaries: Keep Going!
If you’re someone who already makes it a point to try new things regularly, take a moment to reflect. Are the new experiences you’re pursuing really challenging you? It’s easy to fall into a routine, even when trying new things, where the “new” feels familiar or safe.
Ask yourself:
- When was the last time I did something that genuinely made me uncomfortable in a way that led to growth?
- Am I picking experiences that push my boundaries, or am I sticking to what feels comfortable?
- What would it look like to push myself a bit more?
Remember, personal growth is a continuous process, and there’s always room to push beyond what you thought possible. Challenge yourself to find that next level, whether it’s mastering a new skill, diving into a different culture, or even pursuing a passion you’ve been avoiding because it feels too big.
Helping Others Try New Things: Your Next Challenge
If you’re someone who feels comfortable trying new things, the next best gift might be helping others step out of their comfort zones. Nothing is more rewarding than inspiring and encouraging someone else to take the leap into the unknown. By supporting others, you’re not only contributing to their growth but also enriching your own life by sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm.
Here’s how you can help others try something new:
- Be a Mentor: Offer guidance to a friend, family member, or colleague who might be hesitant to try something for the first time. Sometimes all they need is someone to talk them through their fears or share your own experiences.
- Plan Something Together: If you know someone who’s been wanting to try something new but hasn’t taken the step, plan it together! Whether it’s a hike, cooking class, or even a trip, having a partner makes it easier for them to commit.
- Be Their Cheerleader: Sometimes, all someone needs is the reassurance that they can do it. Encourage them, check in on their progress, and celebrate their wins—no matter how small.
In helping others take their first steps, you’re also reinforcing the importance of continually seeking out new experiences in your own life. There’s no better feeling than seeing someone conquer their fears and try something new for the first time.
Why This Matters for Your Future Self
At the end of your life, what are you going to look back on and feel proud of? Most likely it will be the memories you made, the people you met, and the risks you decided to take. Not the things you didn’t do out of fear or hesitation.
As Bill Perkins highlights in his book Die With Zero, we often think we’ll have time later to do the things we dream of—but life moves fast, and physical or mental limitations can arrive before we expect them. That’s why it’s so important to act now.
Whether you’re tackling something as simple as dining out alone or as bold as quitting your jobs to travel the world, the point is to keep challenging yourself to step out of your comfort zone. New experiences help you grow, and life becomes richer when you say yes to them.
Need Some Inspiration?
Books are some of my favorite sources of inspiration.
Here are two great ones that can give you a kickstart in living a life filled with new experiences:
– The Wealth Money Can’t Buy by Robin Sharma
– Die With Zero by Bill Perkins
P.S. This was the book/moment that inspired this post! Who say’s reading on the beach doesn’t count as working?
