Ten new things in November
Action for Happiness do a calendar each month and this month is New Ways November. I'm always looking for new things so I'm going with the prompt 'Make a list of new things you want to try this month.'
- listen to a new music genre. Maybe jazz?
- learn to tie a proper knot (I can only tie a bow)
- use a new ingredient
- try a new recipe
- investigate local taxonomy (inspired by this month's blog carnival)
- find a new niche competition to watch but never participate in
- use a new tool (even just a new pen)
- go to a cafe I walk past every day but have never been in
- go to a shop I walk past every day but have never been in
- go to a new event
That's ten and as I'm also doing a writing challenge-ish thing in November I think that's plenty!
Thinking more generally about skills and things, I had on my 2026 list I wanted to learn some basic electronics... I have not and I can't see that happening by the end of the year. I think it's a 'should' - I tell myself I should be interested in or care about it. But I don't. Or, at least, clearly not enough.
I do not want to think along the lines of 'what would you do if you couldn't fail?' - because success or failure is not the goal here. I'm more interested in what I can sustain an interest in even while failing horribly. 'What would you do even knowing you will fail horribly?' is not, at first glance, all that motivational. But I think it's far more liberating. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing badly.
Previously I've had eye-opening experiences tackling things I just assumed I couldn't do. Like maths and a Rubik's cube. I do have shocking imposter syndrome so it would probably be worth investigating my psyche for things I assume I'm not allowed to do for various made-up reasons.
Another question would be: what do I do just because I can or am good at it, not because I actually enjoy it? I'm coasting on some stuff, like my French, and though I'm still practicing my civil service hand almost every day I'm not exactly pushing myself.
So I'll try these ten things, or try to try, and keep on with my points.
Filed under Trying new things and doing more stuff