new

In this fast paced world we live in, it is very easy to get stuck in a rut. Doing things we’ve always done, how we have always done them. They say, the devil makes work for idle hands, and while we may not think we are idle, sometimes doing everything we’ve always done, the way we’ve always done it, staying in our comfort zone, will leave a space for the devil, or our bad habits to creep in.

We think we don’t have the time or capacity to try something new. There is certainly comfort to be found in the familiar, but it can also be the breeding ground for discontentment and apathy.

I have a very low threshold for boredom. And I can build huge resentments about the things that I have to do, on a daily basis. It is so easy to look “over the fence” (or on social media) and see others doing exciting things, living in a different way. Making my life seem drab and hum drum. Ironically, I’m pretty sure people view the life I present, especially on social media, and think “Wow! Chris is living the best life!” And of course, by and large I am and I do. But…. I can get bored with the samey saminess of it all…

So to break the grumps, I find it useful to try something new.

I don’t mean anything radical – tho, that cottage by the sea, still beckons on a daily basis lol -but small things I can do to zest up my life.

We all have constraints, family, expectations, money, time…. But there is always some wiggle room…

And the ideas are all out there for us to try out.

How many GRWM videos have we seen? Where we see the ‘beautiful people’ with the beautiful lives, and mostly, the beautiful clothes, make dressing differently seem effortlessly. But the ones that I find the most interesting, are the ones, not with the 1000s of pieces of clothing, putting on this week’s new purchase, but those who go through their modest wardrobe and switch things up a bit.

I generally fall into the trap of ‘set outfits’. I wear this with that and with those shoes. For the various and many events for my month load of 60^th celebrations, I rifled through my entire wardrobe – not just the dozen or so old faithfuls in the front. I pulled out some beautiful pieces I’d had for a couple of decades, that I had worn, maybe once, sometimes twice. Sometimes, ashamedly, never worn before.

I looked at them with fresh eyes. Put them together in different ways. Remembered old friends – pieces I just love but never wear any more. One of the joys of 60 is actually not caring what anyone thinks of how eccentrically I might dress now. It was such fun!!! I pulled out old pieces of jewellery that I haven’t used since the 2000s or earlier. Shoes that I once loved but had been neglected. Injecting new life into old memories. I also used the time to be realistic about some pieces that were never going to fit again and so passed them on. Putting a new spin on the old, made me feel good. Who would’ve thought it. And I didn’t buy a thing for the 3 or 4 events that I had planned. Win win..

We can reinvigorate our lives, with tiny changes. Rearrange the ornaments, or the artwork. Try a new dish.

Another effect of too much reel watching has been seeing old dishes, reimagined. When you are the main cook every day, it is easy to get into a routine of 6 dishes, on rotation. And there is no soul food in that! So this year, I’ve decided to try something new, every week or so. And most of them have been amazing! Taking the people I live with, along for the ride. They are way more conservative, food wise, than me, but mostly they have enjoyed the changes. I have felt better about the daily food thing; and we’ve all learned new things along the way… (the irony that this blog started as a food blog, and I have had to relearn the joy of trying new foods, is not lost on me lol)

As the number of people I have to cook for has changed, it is easier to try new things. And heading to the days when I only cook for 2, I am learning what works in what scale. What makes decent leftovers and what is best on the day. Again, small changes, trying something new, has moved the boredom of feeding to a new sense of excitement..

Trying something new, can be as small as driving a different way home. Seeing a new neighbourhood; spotting new favourite houses. Making the drive home something to anticipate, not just endure. Recent roadworks have made me drive over the hill home. I get to see such a different view of the city and the spectacular coast. worth the extra few miniutes every time

Reading a new genre of book. Listening to new music

Shopping at a different supermarket

Growing different vegetables and flowers. My garden this summer has just given me endless joy. I chucked in a cucumber and a watermelon plant in parts of the garden that were unused. Both have rewarded me! We may have only grown 3 watermelons, but they were large and juicy. And each fed us for almost a week. And the cucumbers? The cucumbers have been an eye opener. So tasty, and as it turns out, so easy to grow. Huge plans for next year! By putting myself out of my comfort zone, we have all benefited.

Even my knitting, which I restarted about 8 years ago; I went out and bought some new patterns. Taught myself some new techniques and am finding that hobby to be more enjoyable and more satisfying. The charity I knit for is grateful for all donations, but how nice to have weaved joy into every garment as well as aroha?

And just this week, challenged by my dear artist friend, I have picked up a paintbrush. Finding a new outlet for my creative urges has been amazing! I have missed the creativity I used to pour into cake decorating, and this is going to be a really useful tool for spending time away from screens, and in “the zone”. I am very excited.

My mental health always improves when I look beyond my every day. My resentment levels drop. And I find a new spring in my step, a new excitement,

They don’t have to be huge changes, or expensive or massively time consuming. But trying something new, will generally get you out of yourself….

So go on…. Try something new today…

Wawata

Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, Ko te pae tata whakamaua kia tīna.

Aspiration

Seek out distant horizons, and cherish those you attain