Why Trying New Things is Important

My daughter started horseback riding lessons. She wasn’t even afraid. When it came time to getting on, she gently reminded the instructor that this was the first time she had ridden in a while and she might need extra help. It amazed me.

Trying new things as an adult is so hard, but so important for many reasons. We get the unique opportunity to become humble students again, to set aside our egos and take in new information. My daughter didn’t even have to think twice before asking for assistance; there was absolutely no shame in it for her. Can you imagine how life would be if we approached it from this lens?

As adults, our lives can become incredible monotonous. Get up, work out, get kids dressed, take them to school, go to work, come home, dinner, baths… and wake up and do it all again the next day. Intentionally creating space and time to do new an novel activities does wonders for our brains and our mental health. Get those neurons firing in a new way, baby! Both the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Somatic Experiencing modalities tell us that practicing new, exciting things greatly enhances our natural resiliency.

I hope that in the new year as you set your intentions, you think about doing something new. Watercoloring, puzzles, dance class, curling club… you name it. The world is yours!

- Stevie