I’m a level-headed wreck. 

Most people have no idea. I’ve even been fooling myself pretty well. My journal tells a different story.

The hardest questions to ask are questions to yourself, and I’ve been asking a lot of them lately. I’m slowly working my way through a pile of rubble, but I am pretty sure there’s good weather on the other side.

The now isn’t easy, but I’ve been experimenting with little ideas to help. I get excited about simple things that work, and I’ve stumbled upon one.

One New Thing

For about 6 weeks now I’ve been making a point to try one new thing, every single day. Doesn’t matter what. A new food, a snack, a new walking path, a new exercise, a new restaurant or cafe, a new skill, a new craft. Sometimes it takes a bit of creativity. I read every day, for example, but if I read something about a topic I’d never touch otherwise, that counts. The same goes for a style of music.

Besides little daily activities, I’ve also been trying to visit a new place every week. I live in Tokyo, and there are about 600 parks here. There are some 900 train stations, each with a little shopping street. Discovering and exploring a new one every week, especially in a corner of town that I never otherwise get to, has been really fun and mentally refreshing. 

I fall in love with the city again each time.

Results

This practice does not solve any of the issues I’m working through, but it does add a layer of intentionality to my day and breaks the monotony I had been stuck in. 

Another fun benefit has come from replacing the midwit how are you? when I see people to what did you try new lately? It catches them off guard but makes them think, and I find it brings us a bit closer. After a while, people know they have to be prepared when they see me, and I’d like to think that helps them be just a little more present.

So, I’ll keep riding this train. Simple, achievable, repeatable, impactful. Feel free to reach out if you want to try, too, and need some ideas.