It’s easy to get caught up in a life of routine—we do the same things over and over again until the days blend into each other. Work can be a daily grind through which we begin to lose our souls. Outside of work, we might be too tired or too caught in a rut to have fun.
How do we break out of a drab life?
Being willing to ask the question and explore the possibilities is a huge start!
5 Ways to Bring Light to Your Life
Below are five ways to lighten up life when dullness and routine are the norm.
1. Create a Week-Long Curiosity Challenge
Spend 10 to 15 minutes a day getting curious about something you might take for granted, such as the trees or roads near your house. Explore a new area of your neighborhood, or talk to someone at work you’ve never gotten to know. Let your curiosity be sparked. You can extend this challenge to a month-long one if you find it enjoyable.
2. Find a Passion or Expressive Outlet
What have you always wanted to learn or explore? To play an instrument? Express yourself through art or writing? To knit, sew, or build chairs? Read up, watch how-to videos, and dive in with a passion. Learning spices up life, gives you something to look forward to, and offers new ways to express yourself.
3. Find Fun and Wonder in What You Do
Any activity, from washing dishes to tidying up your room or answering emails, can contain wonder or a sense of play. How can you create a sense of fun, play, or wonder in any activity? Try to find it in at least one activity a day—perhaps even more!
4. Say Yes to Things You Find Intriguing
Sometimes, you’ll get an unexpected invitation for a social event, a trip, a conference, or to do a project that you wouldn’t usually do. Try saying yes to learning, exploring, and new adventures—break out of your routine and comfort zone.
5. Make a Game Out of Achieving Micro-Goals
Set small, achievable goals as a game and see how many you can accomplish in a day or week. Some examples of micro-goals might involve something as small as doing five pushups three times a day—rather than a whole workout—something you can do in a few minutes. It’s motivating to make progress toward something you care about, even in tiny steps.
There are many ways to make life brighter and more interesting. Try things that feel impossible: Talk to a stranger, volunteer, be vulnerable. Join a social group or a weekly board game night, explore art galleries, or train to run a 10K. You could devote the next month of your life to a grand adventure.