If you are fortunate and you get to take vacations to somewhere special every year, then you already understand how much fun it is to plan something. When there is an event on the calendar, some moment in the future that you are looking forward to, the sense of anticipation and the feeling of excitement that accompanies it is not only good for you mentally, but physically as well.
When life looks like one long series of days that are the same, with nothing but work and errands and obligations ahead, the feelings of joy and enthusiasm can seem impossible to reach. Take a few moments today to put a plan into action to do something you will enjoy.
Action – If you are sleepwalking through your days enduring the same routine over and over, it’s time to shake things up. We can fall into a comfort zone of mediocrity that prevents us from trying new things or going to different places. Anything that pushes you out of the sameness of routine is an opportunity to grow and to see things a little differently.
There are many ways to challenge yourself to get out of the rut. Big or small, expensive or free, the choice to do something different that you look forward to is yours to make.
Steps – This is a great time to brainstorm. If you let your mind run wild and think of all the things you could do, you might actually decide on a few that you will do. If you can travel, even if it’s just a day trip to a place close to you that you never go to, then plan it. If you always wanted to learn how to dance, sign up for a free introductory class and see if you like it.
Try a new restaurant that you have heard wonderful things about. Make a weekly date with yourself or a friend to go somewhere different or try a new activity. There are lots of things that you can do for free, or you can spend as much or as little as you wish. The point of this is that it doesn’t need to be a two-week trip to Tahiti, although if that works for you then go for it!
Anything that is in the near future that is different from your daily routine is a chance to have something to look forward to doing. When you think about it, the anticipation should make you feel good.
Why It Makes You Feel Better – It is good for your mental health to feel anticipation for something that lies ahead. Planning and imagining and being excited are all positive brain exercises that keep you in a good frame of mind. The first thing that happens when we feel depressed is we stop looking forward to doing anything.
Make this an exercise you enjoy by keeping it within your own parameters of what you like to do. Don’t go dancing if you can’t stomach the idea of it. There is no end to the different things you can try, so find something that you know you would like and then do it.
Example – The start of football season is something I always look forward to. It makes me happy just thinking about it. I also like to take a couple of hours minimum every week and go somewhere new. It could be a restaurant I haven’t tried, or a different part of the city, or even to watch a documentary or a movie that takes me somewhere mentally.
It doesn’t need to be something big, but take some time to plan something that you know you would enjoy. Put it on the calendar and then as soon as you do that, plan something new again. Keep life fresh and exciting and you will stay young at heart forever.