livingitup

There’s little reason why each day shouldn’t hold some adventure.  By adventure, I mean some new and exciting happenings.  Trying new things can actually make you feel good by triggering the release of the happy-making chemical dopamine.  Why deny yourself something so simple?

My goal is to try something new each day.  It really isn’t as hard as it sounds if you have the right mind set.   I try to visit new restaurants as often as I can.  Eating out can get expensive, but if I am going to be doing it anyway, I might as well get a dose of happy making.  I also like taking different roads when I’m going somewhere.  (Okay, honestly, part of that may be that I don’t think about how to get to a place until I’ve passed up the turn I needed to take, but I enjoy seeing new things–and finding new shortcuts–just the same.)

I like to amble off the path, too.  (My family is worried that I lack the paranoia gene necessary for survival, though, so do this at your own risk.  WARNING:  Paths are there for a reason.)  Be that path one through the woods or to the grocery store, I like to diverge from the rest of the crowd.  It doesn’t hurt to take a new angle, either.

One simple adventure that causes me great pleasure is to swim with clothes on (when it is warm of course).  Yes, I said clothes on.  Blue jeans or maybe a simple dress–No swimsuit.  Clothes can survive, typically, as long as you wash them well afterward.  Don’t have access to a pool or want to avoid funny looks from others?  You can privately recreate the same adventurous sensation by showering with clothes on.  You won’t get very clean if you leave them on the entire time, but it’s a great, sensual way to start a shower.

Close your eyes when you eat.  I started this ages ago–and I got some flack about it in college, but in a good natured way.  There is no better way to taste your food.  But by all means, use your eyes, too.  Food can be visually appealing, and forks to the chin aren’t pleasurable (you should know where your mouth is by now, but just in case….).  Close your eyes when the food enters your mouth, and enjoy the texture and nuances of delicious flavor.

At some point in the day do something completely unexpected.  It’s amazing how dropping out of character for a moment can really lighten your emotional load.  Stop your normal pace, and do a little dance.  Don’t worry if people are watching.  Keep a smile on your face, and you might just lighten their load, too.  Who doesn’t enjoy a little whimsy in the day?

Make your own daily adventures and let me know about them.  I love getting tips from you, too.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS