Try New Things
This Month’s Challenge is all about trying new things. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and engage with people, places and experiences you normally wouldn’t. The whole point of Challenges of the Month, is to ignite your sense of curiosity and imagination within yourself. We will provide some helpful structure, ideas and support, but it’s up to you to design a challenging experiment personal to you.
Ask yourself, what things have I always wanted to do that I’ve been putting off? For me, it was creating this brand and blog. Though a daunting task, I challenged myself to work on it every single day of January and soft launch at the beginning of February. Perhaps an unrealistic goal that I was always destined to fail (and I did). Nevertheless, it kickstarted a journey for me to actively focus my time and energy on this goal and boy did I learn all sorts of new things both technically and emotionally. What a rewarding sense of accomplishment now that it’s finally here.
For these challenges, you can require yourself to try something new every single day of the month. You can set one large goal and work on it how you see fit over the course of the month to check back in at the end. You can engage with yourself weekly. Perhaps only do one simple thing per month. Whatever it is that challenges you the most. Not what’s easiest or most comfortable, but what is genuinely the most challenge.
Here’s what you’re going to do to start
How to Challenge Yourself: A Simple Structure
Start with Intentions:
Define why you want to take this challenge. Are you seeking personal growth? More excitement in life? Building new habits? Identifying your intention will keep you motivated throughout the month.
Set Realistic Goals:
While the challenge is about trying new things, it’s important to set realistic, achievable goals for each day. Some tasks may take just a few minutes, while others could require more time and effort. Don’t be afraid to mix big and small goals.
Be Accountable:
Hold yourself accountable by tracking your progress. Use a journal, planner, or digital tool to keep track of your daily activities. You could also share your progress on social media or with a friend to keep yourself engaged.
Create Space for Reflection:
At the end of each week, reflect on what you’ve experienced. How do you feel? What surprised you? Reflecting helps you appreciate your journey and allows you to learn from your experiences.
Be Kind to Yourself:
The goal of this challenge is personal growth, not perfection. Don’t be discouraged if you miss a day or don’t fully enjoy something. The point is to try and be open to new experiences.
Celebrate Your Wins:
By the end of the month, you’ll have accomplished 31 new experiences, big and small. Celebrate your journey—whether it’s by treating yourself to something special or simply enjoying the new habits you’ve built.
31 Ideas for Trying New Things: Inspiration To Build Your Own Challenge
Here are 31 ideas to inspire your month of trying new things! Pick and choose what challenges you and use these ideas as a means to brainstorm your own ideas! For many of these new experiences, kpcreativex has got you covered on exactly how to accomplish them
Learn a New Language
Try a New Recipe
Push Yourself To Run As Far As You Can
Attend an Event You’ve Never Been To
Start a Gratitude Journal
Declutter a Small Space
Try a New Form of Exercise
Volunteer Your Time
Explore a New Hobby
Go to a Museum You’ve Never Visited
Watch a Movie in a Genre You Don’t Usually Like
Take a Solo Trip
Give Yourself a Digital Detox
Practice Meditation
Buy Something You’ve Never Bought Before
Write a Letter to Your Future Self
Take a Cooking Class
Plant Something
Read a Book from a New Genre
Unplug for an Entire Weekend
Try an Adventure Sport
Start a Vision Board
Meet Someone New
Do a Random Act of Kindness
Take a Dance Class
Learn a Magic Trick
Try a New Sport
Visit a New Coffee Shop
Attend a Live Concert
Revisit a Childhood Activity
Spend a Day Without Complaining
Resources to Help You Accomplish Your Challenge:
Habit Tracking Apps:
Habitica – Turn your goals into a game.
Streaks – Track your progress and build positive habits.
Fitness & Wellness Apps:
MyFitnessPal – Track your exercise and nutrition.
Calm or Headspace – Guided meditations to start your day with mindfulness.
Recipe Resources:
Tasty and AllRecipes – Explore new recipes from various cuisines.
YouTube Cooking Channels – Discover fun cooking tutorials and learn new skills.
Online Classes and Workshops:
Udemy – Courses on everything from photography to coding.
Skillshare – Creative workshops, including art, design, and music.
Masterclass – Learn from world-class experts in various fields.
Reflection Journals:
Day One – A journaling app to document your experiences.
Five Minute Journal – For quick daily reflections on gratitude and goals.
Research on Why Challenging Yourself is Beneficial:
Mental Health Boost:
Trying new things stimulates the brain, boosting dopamine levels and helping with stress management and anxiety. This act of pushing personal boundaries encourages new neural connections, which is linked to improved brain health (Psychology Today).Personal Growth:
Stepping out of your comfort zone leads to personal development, greater confidence, and resilience. It helps you break free from habitual routines and fosters adaptability and problem-solving skills (Harvard Business Review).Increased Happiness:
Studies suggest that people who regularly try new experiences report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. This is because novelty is linked to increased joy and fulfillment (Journal of Consumer Research).