When you hear about something new, does your inner skeptic immediately kick in? “Nah, that’s probably nonsense,” “it’s not for me,” “why would I need that?” Or maybe you don’t even try because someone once told you it was pointless. Well, what if it’s that skepticism that’s holding you back?
Just because something sounds strange, you don’t understand it, or you once read a negative opinion about it on the internet from a complete stranger, doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying. Sometimes, behind the unknown lies something that can bring you a lot of joy or even change your life.
Be open, be curious, experiment. You can keep your critical thinking – it’s good to have it! But don’t let it hold you back and say, “better not, it doesn’t make sense.” Critical thinking is there to protect you, not block you. We live to experience – flavors, emotions, people, moments.
The first time doesn’t have to be scary (even though it sometimes seems that way)
Think about it: how many times have you given up on something just because you were afraid? And yet, doing something for the first time in your life is one of the most exciting things you can do for yourself! Sometimes, only the first step seems scary – like jumping into cold water. But once you dive in… joy, pride, and adrenaline take over. It’s not just about hobbies like painting, diving, pottery, dancing, climbing, photography, or calligraphy. It’s about any experience that makes you feel alive.
Give yourself a chance to try something different
Do you always order the same dish at a restaurant? Try something from Bengali, Indian, or Peruvian cuisine – it’s like traveling to another country. Do you go to the movies regularly? Great! But maybe you could go to the theater, the opera, or a film music concert for a change? Do you like physical activity? Why not try Tai Chi, yoga, or Zumba? Or maybe you suffer from minor health problems? Instead of another pill, why not try acupuncture, herbal therapy, a vegan diet, or distant Reiki healing? Is personal development important to you? That’s fantastic, but instead of another podcast about productivity or how to become a millionaire, pick up a book or podcast on Buddhism, stoicism, or Eastern philosophy.
If you have a favorite movie, see if it was based on a book and read it. For example:
Forrest Gump – a book by Winston Groom,
The Green Mile – a novel by Stephen King,
Dune – Frank Herbert.
It’s amazing how a story you already know can take on a whole new dimension.
What else is worth trying, even if it sounds strange?
A session in a floatation tank (i.e., floating in salt water in complete silence),
A barefoot walk in the woods,
Laughter yoga,
A women’s or men’s circle,
Intuitive dance,
A concert of gongs or Tibetan bowls,
Buying yourself a ukulele – one of the easiest instruments to learn
Sometimes what seems “strange” is just different – and “different” does not mean bad.
Live, don’t just “survive”
It all comes down to one thing: we exist to live. Not to work eight hours a day, spend an hour in traffic, and then another three in front of the TV. Life is not a repetitive pattern – it’s an adventure that you can write anew every day.
And it doesn’t matter how old you are. Even if you’re 70, you can try Tai Chi. Even if you don’t have money, you can use the library, learn about new topics, or switch to a cheaper and healthier plant-based diet for a week and try new foods and feel lighter. Even if you live in the middle of nowhere, you have the internet, where knowledge is endless.
Don’t be a skeptic who always says “no.”
Even if something seems impossible and you really want to try it – write a plan, start saving, ask yourself: what would have to happen for me to be able to do it?
Because life is meant to be experienced – fully, consciously, with curiosity and courage.
Photo: Freepik