39 SUREFIRE WAYS TO LEAD A MORE INTERESTING LIFE!

39 IDEAS TO GROW AS A PERSON, IMPROVE YOUR BRAIN AND EXPAND YOUR LIFE

No excuses to be a snore! There are plenty of ideas here (for introverts and extroverts) to make your life more interesting and stimulate your brain. And, some of them don’t cost you a cent!  Here are several ways (some small and some not so small) to get organized and take the steps to do just that to create a more dynamic life for yourself:

1.   Be a pupil.

Enrolling in a class is a great way to meet new people, challenge yourself, and acquire a new skill or knowledge.  What have you always had an interest in as a child? Try it now. Or, go back to school for that degree you always wanted.

2.  Take on a new project.

At work or at home, enhance that part of your life with a new project. After all, if your job is getting ho-hum, perhaps it is your task to try and make it more interesting and fulfilling.

3.  Become well-read.

Make a list of books you have always wanted to read. Now is the time to start. Download or check one out at your local library and begin with the first one.  This electronic reader is a great way to access just about anything that intrigues you and learn more about it! Make a goal of once a month or whatever you feel you can do.  Create a time each day that you read – on the subway to work and back, 10 minutes before bed every night, etc. Stick to the plan and you will be surprised how even 10 minutes a day how many books you will end up reading and expanding your mind with new ideas.

Don’t miss this: here are dozens of reading lists depending on what interests you and here are some ideas for a health-minded library to start.

4.  Create a group.

Take your interest in reading a step further and create or join a book group. Combine reading with the social aspect of discussing your book to gain social benefits, too.

5.  Be a movie critic.

Create a list of documentaries or movies you want to see.  This is so helpful when you establish “movie night” at your house and you don’t take 30 minutes to search all your options.  (Or, is my family the only one that does that??) Watch them alone or with a like-minded friend who shares your taste in movies.  Throw in a few odd ones, too, to mix it up!

6.   Improve your time.

Have less than stimulating work to do? Start a timer and challenge yourself to perform the task faster.  Get others to help so that you have someone to talk do while doing the task and it will go by faster.

7.   Enhance your sense of smell.

Burn a clean-burning scented candle while you work or try aromatherapy to brighten your senses. Learn about essential oils and aromatherapy and how they can offer health benefits.

8.  Learn a new word each day.

We used to have a chalkboard in our breakfast room with a “word of the week” for our family to learn each week.  I admit, sometimes those words stretched out longer than a week but it was fun to challenge my children to use those words in a sentence. I think we all expanded our vocabulary as I didn’t know some of them myself! I think I will start that again!

9. Redecorate.

Redo a room that you spend a lot of time in or start that home renovation you have always been hoping to do. Start now and begin collecting room designs you like from magazines and Pinterest. Interview an architect and contractor to see about costs, etc.

10.  Plant a vegetable, herb, or flower garden.

Even a potted one on a patio is a way to do it. Taste the foods you’ve grown or appreciate the color and beauty of the flowers you nurtured.

11.  Play with music.

Learn to play a musical instrument, how to read music, or take a music theory class. Choose a new radio station with music you do not typically listen to and play in your car or while you make dinner.

12.  Switch up your exercise routine.

Try a new sport, new gym, or new exercise group for your level – beginner to triathlete.

13.  Make a list of day trips or affordable weekend getaways.

Choose one and begin planning it now.

14.  Rediscover the lost art of writing letters.

Find beautiful stationery and hand-write a letter to an old friend or relative dear to you.

15.  Switch hands.

Try using your less dominant hand for simple tasks like eating or brushing your teeth. Changing hands really stimulates the brain.

16.  Get a pet or adopt one.

Or, train the one you have and enrich your pet’s life, too!

17.  Learn to cook more healthy foods and recipes.

The connection between what goes in your body and how you feel and how your brain performs is a strong one.

Don’t miss this: Lots of healthy eating plans, recipes, and more are here.

18.  Start a dinner club.

Assemble six or eight people. Have each person bring one dish and alternate homes for hosting.

19.  Volunteer in your community.

This could be with your animal shelter, hospital, library, local theatre, etc.  Giving back is a most satisfying experience.

20.  Schedule a regular massage for yourself.

Or learn more about massage with this. Enjoy the tactile sensation of a professional working out the stress and tension in your muscles. The relaxation it brings may bring on your most creative ideas yet!

SHOP BOOKS THAT MAY TAP INTO YOUR CREATIVITY

21.  Join a club or sign up for Meet-Ups in your area.

You are sure to find a group with similar interests as you and the activities are planned.

22. Study a foreign language.

Revive that high school language you took and plan a trip to a country where they speak it.

23.  Checkmate.

Learn how to play chess or find a chess partner if you already play.

24.  Improve productivity.

Reorganize a part of your home that frustrates you or slows you down in achieving your goals.  For example, a pantry reorganization can help you achieve your healthier eating goals with the right foods at your fingertips.

Don’t miss this: Here are some of my favorite pantry and refrigerator organization tools.

25.  Check out an art show, art museum, or local exhibit.

Just walking among the great works can get your creativity and appreciation flowing.

26.  Shuffle some cards.

Playing cards is a fun and social experience. Learn your constellations with a pair like this!  Find some card-playing partners and set up a weekly or monthly card date. Here is even a set of cards to help you learn constellations.

27.  Try a new form of expression.

Learning a new art form doesn’t require that you have talent, just an interest to learn. Study the art of photography, painting, graphic design, or how to throw pottery.

28.  Travel somewhere new.

Exploring different cultures and breaking out of your routine this way really sharpens the mind and stimulates all your senses.

Don’t miss this: I love to travel and here are loads of concrete ideas to make your travel dreams a reality.

29.  Attend a show.

Do some research and plan a concert series or see a play or two. Ask a friend or group and get tickets this week.

30.  Stuck on how to go about a bigger change?

Seek help – a health coach, career coach or counselor may help you find your path and how to get there. I would love to help – check out my health coaching offerings here!

31.  Try a new restaurant or type of food each weekend.

Ethnic restaurants are everywhere. Read about them and their best dishes before you go.

32.  Romanic life a bit wanting?

Join a dating group and let your friends and co-workers know you are open to meeting new people.

33.  Find your sense of personal style.

Learn about fashion and design or sew a piece of clothing for yourself.

34.  Make a contact.

Pick up the phone and call a friend you have lost contact with to reestablish that friendship and make plans to call again or meet up.

35.  Coach a youth team.

Share your sports passions with the young to spark their interest, too.

36.  Write a book, a blog, poetry, or even start a journal.

Share it with others, get it published, or just keep it for yourself!

37.  Research your past and ancestry.

Find out more about your relatives and where they lived and how you got here. Document it for future family members to read.

38.  Initiate and plan a reunion.

What is a favorite group that has lost contact?  This could be family members, old college buddies, your favorite neighborhood gang – whomever you would like to see again.

39.  Teach a class.

You can create one to publish online or teach at the university or community center level. Share your talents and skills with others and watch the expansion multiply!

• Eliminate what you can and simplify life to the essentials.
• Tell others you are taking a break and won’t be texting, calling, or socializing for a bit.
• Listen to soft music or nature sounds or even choose stillness and total silence.
• Eat healthy foods simply prepared.
• Work in solitude or in a place that relaxes you, where you won’t be interrupted.
• Here is what to drink before bed to sleep great and detox at the very same time.
• Meditate to achieve better focus and calmness.
• Try a relaxing form of exercise to quiet the mind. Learn how to balance your mind with tai chi, yoga and more here.

What have you done in your life to expand yourself lately? Care to share it and add it to the list?