Parlor Talk: New Experiences

Dean Mitchell

Going to that first MMA class, joining the chess club, or performing on open mic night. There is a plethora of new things out there to experience, but sometimes we feel like we can't. This column will explore the reasons we might tend to avoid new things, how to best overcome that, and also some unique things to try out for the first time.

Firstly simple enough the reason why we might tend to avoid trying new things is due to fear. Fear of the unknown keeps us from trying new things, and pretty much everyone is often terrified of the unknown. So much so that there is a famous idiom that goes ‘better the devil you know than the devil you don't’. The saying just goes to show how much fear of the unknown is wired into our brains. The fear of new experiences going badly just overpowers the reality that they probably won't.

This is because our brains are wired to prefer routine. Routine is comfortable, your brain doesn't need that much energy to do things that have already been done. It takes courage and brain power to tackle something new. The much easier path is to not pursue new things to stick to a routine strongly, but the more rewarding path is to take that leap of faith.

Trying out new things opens you up to new possibilities, new opportunities, and new passions. You can find something you enjoy, something new to bring you happiness. Doing so can help add to the wealth of your experience. It also builds your courage and character. Instead of settling for eating at the same restaurants, traveling to the same places, and doing the ordinary, you had the courage to step outside of your comfort zone. New experiences help you break out of that comfort zone and become a more confident, more interesting person.

Now that the reasons for being avoidant and the potential benefits of breaking out of that comfort zone have been explored, here are some of the ways to start you on that path. One of the ways to overcome this challenge is to change your mindset. The way that the brain operates is to live in the comfort zone and not expel that much effort, this can be changed. Don't think solely in the “What if this tastes horrible” or “What if I embarrass myself”, thinking negatively like this only increases the likelihood of it not going well. In a way, thinking positively about new experiences like “This is going to be great” or “I know starting will be hard, but I know it will pay off” puts your mind at ease and allows you to truly experience it without being drowned out by your fears or anxiety. The fact is the probability of every new experience being life-changing and world-breaking is low, but the probability of every new experience being the worst thing to ever happen to you is equally as low if not lower. Go into every new experience with a clear positive mindset, and even if things go poorly it will still build character and experience. After all, life is all about experiences.

Here are some new experiences that you can try. Start writing. It can be any form and about anything. Any method works, it could be with your smartphone, computer, or a good old-fashioned pen and paper. Just start and see where your mind might take you, it can be rare as a well-established man to find time for your creativity. Make time for your creativity, write about your day in a journal style, write about current events and your opinions, write a short story, and write a poem. Anything to start will help you develop your own writing style, and if you really enjoy writing it can open you up to a new possible career.

For those who feel that writing is not their thing, try signing up for a 5K, or, if you really want to challenge yourself, a 10K and up. For some, running offers benefits way beyond the physical like mental clarity and the coveted “runners high”. The new experience wouldn't have to be the actual race itself but also the training and warm-up to the race. Running a few miles around your city and just building your endurance up is a challenge in itself. Getting to race day will be a seeable and attainable goal for you, meeting new runners and veterans will open you up to a whole new world of fitness. Finishing the race will be extremely rewarding, and an accomplishment to build upon.
Lastly, learn a foreign language. This is admittedly very challenging, but the benefits and new experiences that can branch out from having even an elementary-level understanding of the language are immense. New restaurants, new countries and cultures, new people, and a whole world of possibilities. The process can be rewarding as well finding tutors, meeting new friends, and immersing yourself in a new culture will open you up to a vast number of opportunities.
In conclusion, overcome that fear, step out of your comfort zone, and try new things. It can range from new food, new hobbies, or anything that would be a new experience. Life is too short to not try new things, so get out there and experience them for yourself.