Try something new every day

Get out of Auto-Pilot – Try something new

We spend a lot of our life on auto-pilot. We usually follow some same patterns every day. Habits can make us feel comfortable, many of us like routine, others find it boring.

It can make us feel secure to sit in the same chair to watch TV or eat dinner, feel organised to have the exact same morning routine or eat the same food on certain days of the week. The average adult makes about 35,000 decisions every day, so some organisation and routine helps us clear our minds.

It does however, leave us closed to new opportunities, new feelings and thoughts. On auto-pilot we are doing things sub-consciously and not really being mindful of the parts of our day. Consider these opportunities of change:

• It can lessen any boredom you feel with the old way

• You will see things from a new perspective, pay more attention

• You might discover something new about yourself

• You might be braver next time you try something new later

So, start small this week and do something different every day. Sit in a different chair, try something else instead of just looking at your ‘phone, watching TV – play a game, read a book, listen to music or a podcast, do a puzzle, look out the window or back door to appreciate nature. Clean your teeth at a different time one day, eat at a different place/time, call somebody you don’t usually talk to much.

You will be surprised how small changes can shake up your day and routine and make you feel different and a bit more vitalised. Doing these things mindfully can be even more rewarding as you notice the change in you.

Why not do my 10-week MIndfulness Challenge - check out the challenge page here on the website.