Did You Try Anything NewThis Year?

Choosing Change, One Brave Step at a Time

This year has been a wild ride of personal discoveries, unexpected U-turns, and brave first steps. I’m sitting here reflecting on all the ways I’ve challenged myself, pushed beyond my comfort zone, and embraced change – even when it felt absolutely terrifying.

Can you believe it? We are, inching toward the end of the year already! Looking back at the past year I have a question for you: Did you try something new this year?

Trying something new is like planting seeds in unfamiliar soil. Sometimes they sprout, sometimes they don’t—but you learn either way.

Life transitions have a way of pushing us to either retreat into the familiar or to boldly step forward and embrace change. Maybe…

• You’re starting over after a breakup or loss.
• You’re switching careers, or stepping into retirement.
• Your kids have left the house, and you’re wondering, what now?
• Or maybe you’ve hit a point where you’re just tired of the same routine and ready to rediscover what excites you.

If you’re nodding along because it has been one of those years for you, let’s take a walk together through this idea. We’ll talk about why “new” is so powerful during times of transition, how to choose what to try, and what happens when you take that leap—even the tiniest one.

Why Trying New Things Matters During Life Transitions

Let’s face it—transitions are uncomfortable. Even the positive ones, like starting a dream job, can feel unnerving because you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. You’re leaving the “known” behind and moving into something that hasn’t yet become routine.

And this is where trying new things becomes a superpower.

Here’s why:

1. It helps you reconnect with yourself.
   During big life changes, we can sometimes lose sight of who we are. Trying something new—whether it’s a new skill, a habit, or a way of seeing the world—reminds us that we’re still curious, growing humans. It lets us rediscover parts of ourselves we may have forgotten.
2. It sparks joy and excitement.
   New experiences wake us up. Even if you’re feeling stuck or heavy with uncertainty, trying something new can act as a little light switch, illuminating the days in ways you didn’t expect.
3. It builds confidence.
   When you step out of your comfort zone (even just a toe outside), you show yourself that you can handle newness. You’re adaptable. You’re capable. And this confidence spills into other areas of your life, too.
4. It creates momentum.
   Feeling stuck? Trying one new thing—no matter how small—can kickstart momentum in your life. It’s a signal to yourself that you’re moving forward, not just standing still.

And here’s the encouraging part: you don’t have to “get it right.” Maybe you try cooking a new recipe, and it’s a disaster. Who cares? You tried. You stretched. And you now probably have a very funny story to tell.

What Counts as ‘New’?

You might be reading this and thinking, “But I don’t have time to take up a new hobby.” Or maybe, “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

Here’s the truth: new doesn’t have to be big, dramatic, or Instagram-worthy. It just has to feel different.

• A New Habit: Trying a different coffee flavour. I’m now hooked on “Extra Corsé.” Drinking water as soon as you wake up. Journaling your thoughts.
• A New Skill: Learning to crochet, picking up a camera, or experimenting with watercolour painting.
• A New Experience: Taking yourself to a restaurant solo for the first time. Watching a documentary about a topic you know nothing about.
• A New Perspective: Reading a book that challenges your worldview. Asking a friend or partner deep questions.
• A New Place: Visiting a park in your town you’ve never seen. Walking a different route around your neighbourhood.

See what I mean? You don’t have to overhaul your life.

How to Decide What to Try Next

If you’re feeling inspired but a little stuck, here are a few questions to help you brainstorm:

1. What have you always been curious about?
   That thing you’ve secretly wanted to try but never let yourself? Start there.
2. What would feel fun or lighthearted?
   Life transitions can be heavy. What’s something playful or joyful you can add?
3. What aligns with the person you’re becoming?
   Who do you want to be in this next chapter of your life? What “new” thing could help you step into that?
4. What’s one tiny change that would shake up your routine?
   Sometimes it’s as simple as swapping coffee for tea in the morning. Little shifts count.

You don’t need a grand plan. Let curiosity be your guide.

If You Tried Something New this Year—Congratulations!

Maybe you’re already looking back and thinking about the ways you stretched yourself this year. Maybe you

• Started therapy and learned something surprising about yourself
• Took a community class in something you’ve always been curious about
• Began setting boundaries in relationships that needed them
• Started a morning routine that actually feels nurturing, not punishing
• Learned to say “no” without feeling guilty

These might seem small, but they’re revolutionary. They’re the building blocks of genuine personal growth.

For some, this year meant ending long-term relationships. For others, it meant starting new ones. Some people changed careers, while others went back to school. Some travelled, some stayed put and went deep into personal development. The common thread? A commitment to making a change, to not staying stuck.

Whatever it was, take a moment to celebrate it. You showed up. You said “yes” to something new. That’s no small thing.

If you tried something new this year and it didn’t work out? Not every experiment will be a success. And that’s okay. You’re braver than most. You learned something. You expanded your understanding of yourself.

And if you’re reading this thinking, I haven’t tried anything new yet—guess what? There’s still time. There are still 13 days left in the year. Try something that made you feel just a little more alive, curious, or even a bit uncomfortable in a good way, like stretching sore muscles.

Not a life-changing leap, but a small, manageable experiment that shifts something—anything—in your day. What whisper of an idea have you been ignoring? What tiny step could you take that might open up a whole new world? How about

• Learning a language
• Starting a small side business
• Joining a community group
• Writing that book you’ve always talked about
• Reconnecting with old friends

You don’t have to have it all figured out to start. The specifics don’t matter as much as the spirit behind them. The spirit of “I’m willing to see what happens if I step slightly outside my comfort zone.”

You don’t need permission. You don’t need a perfect plan.

Your Turn: What’s Your “New?”

Life transitions aren’t just about what we lose or leave behind. They’re also about what we gain—what we invite into our lives that’s fresh, unexpected, and maybe even a little messy.

I spoke with Mark, a 35-year-old software engineer who decided to volunteer with a local youth mentorship program. “I’ve always been more comfortable with code than with people,” he shared. “But this year, I wanted to challenge that narrative about myself.” His experience wasn’t just about helping teenagers – it was about helping himself grow, about discovering dimensions of himself he’d never explored.

Change can be rejuvenating. We’re still growing. Still becoming. Here’s to the experimenters, the curious souls, the brave hearts who are willing to say “Why not?” instead of “What if?”

Keep trying. Keep growing. Keep becoming.

Isn’t that what life is all about?