Early in retirement I found the idea of 52 New Things (find that blog link here – from June 2018!) and implemented it. Combined with my idea of Possibilities List (original link here – from Sep 2015), this started me on a continual path of finding new experiences. For a number of years I’ve tracked my New Experiences (link to blogs discussing this – may 2019, dec 2019), not to hit any number but to be able to reflect back on the fun things and to encourage me to keep trying new things, not get stuck in a rut. In fact, hubby often complains we never go back to restaurants he enjoys because I’m always on the lookout for new places to try!
But recently it’s becoming harder to find and fit new things into my calendar. I do look for new things like reading this blog from Maria, The Krafty Planner (https://www.kraftyplanner.com/blog/24-things-in-2024-free-printable-2024-bucket-list). But when I looked at this list, like many other’s bucket lists, many items were not new to me!
I do many things that were once “new” but are now on regular repeat! Cardio drumming, beach yoga, Zumba, tarot card readings, daily crosswords, shelling walks, arts & crafts shows, and dinner & theater dates are all on my calendar every month. I’m active in 2 garden clubs and 2 book clubs, plus our local neighborhood group. I regularly dabble in crafts, play in my own garden, and write & comment on blogs. I have many things that were once new but are now routine activities!
I love my regular things. But I also love the new!
I went back to the original Possibilities List I began when I retired. There were over 250 ideas on that original list and I’ve done over 100 of them! Relooking at it now, there were about 25 items I have completely dropped as I learned more about what I want for my life. Some items were simply check-offs (I did it – whether it was awesome or meh); some were lifestyle changers. Some were one and done; some I am still doing today. Some of the possibilities-not-yet-done are still very intriguing.
I also created a list of 100+ things to do as a Tourist in my Own Town when we moved here to St Petersburg, Florida. Again, it’s amazing to me how many I have already completed. And there are 15 I really want to get to this year, if my calendar permits them!
I saw this phrase recently – “discard those ideas that sound merely interesting, but don’t energize you to commit to action.” It also challenged: If you identify as “a creative person” or “a fit and healthy person” or a “life-long learner”, what are you doing to consistently engage in small acts of creativity, being healthy, or learning every day.
So as I think about my “identity” (link to post here), what is on my calendar that’s linked to gardening, crafting, writing, or beach shelling? What’s linked to my aspirations to be a foodie or adventurer? What’s on my calendar that’s not linked and could possibly be dropped to allow space for the new adventure, the new possibility? What possibility is interesting enough to energize me to commit to action on it and get that beginning action on the calendar?
Obviously I’m a planner and a list maker! But do you regularly think about what’s on your calendar that fits or, even more importantly, doesn’t fit how you identify yourself? Do you prefer the new or the regular, repeated routine?
Picture: Sunrise this week.
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Hi Pat.
I have been “catching up” on reading your blogs; one more to go, I think. I got a little swamped recently. Not busy, just distracted, even disoriented, tired. Winter blues? Maybe. It’s nice to be back.
I am beginning to see every day as new, every class as new, every meal as new. I realize that there’s also the new new, which reminds me of my barber asking me after a zero buzz cut if I wanted my head shaved with to zero zero.
I think it is important to see the new in routine. I am also, however, on the lookout for new, low- or no-cost and low- or no-stress activities. I am learning that sampling is just fine; I do not have to commit to it, whatever it is. I just need to be committed to learning and growing and exploring, and sometimes just committed to being.
Always a pleasure reading your blog posts.
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Lovely idea to see the new in the routine. I am in fact trying to add new into my cardio drumming (which I continue to love) and hadn’t really connected that to “new in the routine.” Thanks for that new way of thinking!
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I’m a creature of habit, Pat, but I do like to try new things occasionally. Some of those new things become part of my routine and others are, as you said, one and done.
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I had to stop and think – I would not classify myself as a creature of habit. I often struggle to keep good habits. Yoga has been too much of a miss this past month! And yes, quite often now the new things are one and done, not new habits. Guess I’m going to be thinking on my habits again.
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I am always looking for some new thing to try. Some I look for and some just happen. January is a very bleary month. To help with the winter blues we took a cruise and did two new things that were so much fun. We swam with pigs in the Bahamas and did a dune buggy excursion in Grand Turk. And then we came back to cold Oklahoma to get back to our routine.
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I think when you’re looking for new things to try, you see them and say “why not?” Vacations are always great opportunities for new things… but home towns can be as well. We did Axe Throwing a couple of weeks ago and tonight a bunch of us went bowling. OK, I’ve been bowling before, so not really new, but certainly not routine! We had a blast.
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I didn’t know what to fill my time with after I retired. A list and some routine helped to get started. It takes time to adjust to retirement.
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It took me a long time to adjust to retirement. I “tried on” many things! Some stuck and I still do them (blogging! yoga!) and some are no longer part of my life (second career as a consultant for one). It takes a while to figure out what you want to do. Enjoy the exploration.
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I sort of like routine with new thrown in now and again. As an avid golfer, I really don’t mind playing the same course over and over. I’m different, and the course is different every time I play. There might be some truism there that doesn’t apply to golf!
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I’m not a golfer, but I understand the idea. There is comfort in the routine, but there is also a difference in the day. Even with an exercise class like my drumming, my body is different each time and I do push things differently each time. Now is there a truism in there for life? Hmmm!
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Hi Pat, I’ve been retired almost 2 years and I don’t have a routine figured out. This year I’ve decided to focus on my health so I’ve added regular exercise activities to my calendar. The problem is my ‘inner devil’ keeps trying to talk me out of it so my next new thing is to research a way to shut her up!! Any tips, tricks or secrets…please share!
I’ve been venturing out of my comfort zone a little more lately, going to lunch and activities with the same few girls in the neighborhood. I’m aiming for at least 4 times a month.
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Sharon, Your request on tips or tricks fired me up to write a blog post! Not this week, but next week (it’s drafted).
It’s great to set a goal like 4 times a month with the neighborhood ladies! One of the things I’ve found is many people won’t plan, but are thrilled to join you if you plan something. The foodie group I started in Cinci was always so happy I found interesting places and made the reservations. Here in Florida I’m finding it is similar….no one want to plan it, but many are happy to join in.
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AWESOME news Pat! I know how thoroughly you research things so I’ll be excited to read your post 🤗
Funny you say that about planning…I’ve run into that as well. I’m not the planning type but if I want to do something or go somewhere I guess that’s how it’s going to get done 😉
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A good friend of mine said I was in the land of shoulds – I should be doing this and not that etc. Some routine like exercise and game days with friends, trying new things helped get me started. Good luck!
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I had a friend who always told me to “stop should-ing on yourself”. Instead say “could” or “will”, if you really wanted to do it. But yes, I also tried lots if things I thought I should try…just didn’t stick with them if the “should” didn’t turn into a “will”.
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For me one of the blessings of the pandemic that forced us to slow down was that I stopped doing anything that didn’t ring true with who I am now. So in answer to your question, everything I do fits with how I think of myself. Do you prefer the new or the regular, repeated routine? A bit of both, please.
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I’m not sure I could say that everything I do fits with how I think about myself… and that gives me a pause, for sure! Most for sure, but everything? I’m definitely going to be looking at my day to day activities a bit differently for the next few weeks!
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I found the same thing. The pandemic slowed me down and I started to focus on what is important to me. It is a work in progress.
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I’m pretty happy with the variety of things I do. I keep the days full and productive. I’m much more likely to try something new in the baking field or expand my quilting skills. I, like you, am definitely a list maker and review them regularly. Bernie
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Bernie, I like how you talk about adding something new in an area you’re already active in (baking/quilting). I might need to think of new things like that… not just adding a totally new thing. I’m not sure where a new hobby would fit!
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As quilters one is always trying a new technique or a pattern that challenges us. As a baker our dessert club helps us rise up to the challenge.
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Not much of a list-maker, I’m just an enjoy-er. So many new things/ old things, I’m grateful for them all! Go you!!
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Love that term – an enjoy-er! It’s nice to enjoy the “old” things which were new things not that long ago! I’ve always been a list maker but know it’s not for everyone.
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Hi Pat – I’m impressed with how full your calendar is. Mine has much more white space in it because I need that to have space in my head and heart. That being said, I’ve certainly tried and discarded several things since retirement and also re-jigged a few to fit my life better. I like that we’re still works in progress even as we get older – to continue to grow and learn and thrive is so important isn’t it?
I won’t have as many new things on my calendar as you this year, but I’ll still be doing my utmost to live my best life every day – this stage of life is such a blessing!
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Leanne, Being able to choose what we do every day to make our lives the best for us is truly a blessing! Finding the right balance of being and doing is important, and that balance is different for everyone. A challenge for me is to keep white space! There are so many things I’m enjoying, but I still need to find that quiet being time.
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