Do you ever get the urge to explore something new? I do – often.
Something about venturing out into the unknown acts as a release. Even in the small detours – like a new route home from work, or a new path on an afternoon walk.
I think exposure to new environments expands our minds, even subtle changes. Disparities from routine offer fresh perspectives.
The explorations don’t have to be geographic, either. Consider a few modest changes with significant benefits:
- Rearranging furniture
- Swapping light bulbs with different hues
- Working remotely or from a coffee shop, instead of the office
- Using noise-cancelling headphones versus the usual ear buds (cough *Airpods* cough)
- Changing up your playlist
- Alternating to standing from sitting
All of these small steps give me a major release – not just in reduction of stress, but in a more significant way. New experiments yield new glimpses of joy. It’s almost like each new experience unlocks one more small secret to the universe.
Maybe it seems silly. But it works for me.
Against Monotony
We live in a great big world. How much of it have you experienced? I try to ask myself that from time to time. Especially when I find myself stuck in a routine that’s begun to produce diminishing returns.
A quick change of pace can go a long way. Major alterations go even further.
The real secret is not in changing for change’s sake – there is value to be had from routine – but in changing to expand your point of view.
If you’re like me, doing the same thing over and over again eventually leads to a wall that impedes progress. Mixing things up combats against that.
Experience the Orange
A decade or so ago at a leadership training seminar, the speaker gave everybody an orange. He set the clock for two minutes. The only instructions he gave were “to experience the orange.” For two minutes, everybody observantly peeled back the layers of the orange – intently cataloging every nuance.
Suddenly I held more than some orange table fruit.
Again, it seems silly. But I still remember it.
Sometimes approaching things in a new light, gives you an entire new perspective. If you’re down and out or feel like inspiration is lacking, maybe it’s time for your to experience the orange.
Go explore something new. Or go explore something familiar in a new light. There may be some new secret waiting for you to uncover it.