Low effort and zero prep are the two phrases that describe my favourite monthly challenges to do. These challenges require my physical presence and mental involvement for a very short period of time but give me all the benefits.
So, coming up with simple and easy challenges to do is kind of my favourite thing right now. And this list will tick all the boxes I mentioned above.
Trying new things is a necessary thing in life, especially because most of us are stuck in a rut and live in our own little version of Groundhog Day – visiting the same places, watching the same shows, asking the same questions and living the same day, week after week.
But the “different” is what spices life up, and every now and then, we need to step out of that rut, open up our senses to new things, and put the tiniest effort into creating a different thought, emotion and experience. It is when we put our phone down and go do things outside of the online world that makes a difference. Life is an adventure, but sometimes, you don’t even have to leave your home to have one. You just need to challenge yourself… but like with almost no effort.
Below, I’ve created a 30-day challenge with new things to try every day of the month. If something feels like part of your already existing routine, you might want to have a look at the “back-up” list at the end of the post.
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30 New Things To Try for the Next 30 Days
1. Learn one new fact about a topic you’re interested in
Maybe you’re really into crows or bumblebees. Maybe you are curious about Eastern culture or you’re a long-time basketball fan. Whatever your topic of interest is, I bet there are facts about it you don’t know yet. Dive deep into the factual side of that topic. It will give you joy and knowledge.
2. Look outside and find three new things you’d usually ignore
We are creatures of habit and our eyes follow the habit of noticing the same things and ignoring the same things. Today is your chance to notice the things you’d usually ignore – the shape of the clouds, your neighbour’s car model, the corners of your back garden… Look outside the window and notice things your eye usually just avoids looking at.
3. Give yourself three compliments
Do this exercise in front of the mirror so you can make it proper weird. I am not joking at all here. When you compliment someone, you’d usually do it by looking into their eyes. Why not follow the same rule when complimenting yourself? Even better – the compliments you give yourself should not be related to your appearance.
4. Stand up and shake out your body for 30 seconds
Somatic shaking is a quite popular technique for nervous system regulation, but most people ignore it because it would make them look (and maybe feel) a bit silly. Let me quietly raise my hand as one of those people. But if you did a bit of research, you’d realise it’s one of the easiest ways to release stress and regulate your nervous system.
5. Build a fort and drink hot chocolate in it
You aren’t five, I know… and that’s what makes this activity so great – you’ll be able to enjoy it better, savouring the moment and the drink.
6. Delete 10 photos or emails you don’t need
I just know that if you do this activity, it might turn into an endless digital declutter moment, but what’s not to like about that? I have a digital detox challenge for you right here, if that sounds tempting.
7. Find the most random thing in your room and question why it exists
Recognising the basic need behind an invention is one of humans’ highest talents, in my opinion. Finding that random object in your room and seeing the need for it could trigger interesting thoughts. Hey, why not Google who invented that object and what their story was?
8. Pick a color and count how many times you see it around you
This random activity should be fun, and it might even act as a stress-relief technique. Focusing on one color and finding objects around you in that color could give you a different perspective on the world around you, even if just for a day.
9. Send a quick “thinking of you” message to someone
It could be a message to your mom, your loved one or a friend you’ve not reached out to for a long time. Maybe the person you’d send the message to needs it more than anything else right now, so I’d say, trust your sixth sense and go for the first person that pops into your head when you read this task.
10. Sit in complete silence for 5 minutes
It sounds so easy-peasy, right?… Are you sure? Five minutes is just around 300 seconds without engaging with a device, a person, or an object around you. It is 300 seconds of pure silence and nothingness, a type of meditation that could either reward you or challenge you and push you to your limits. Do it either way.
11. Solve a math problem
When was the last time you solved a math problem because you wanted to? Maybe never? Now is your time to shine, my dear. Open a notebook and ask ChatGPT to give you a math problem you can work on for a while. Can you solve it? What grade would you give yourself?
12. Brain dump everything on your mind onto paper
The mental load of thinking, planning, and holding onto every piece of information in your brain is exhausting and energy-draining. The habit of unloading your thoughts, tasks, ideas, and to-dos on a piece of paper is one of the most nurturing things you could do for yourself. Do you need a step-by-step guide on doing it properly? I’ve got it right here, plus a free brain dump template you can download in seconds.
13. Notice one thing your body is doing for you right now
You exist because your body works in a complicated but perfect synergy. Recognise that. Honour it. Pick a part or an organ in your body and spend time feeling it working for you. Express gratitude, understand how your body serves you, and love it.
14. Sit somewhere different than usual (floor, edge of bed, etc.)
I bet there are at least three spots in your home you’ve never sat in. It could be a chair, a part of the room, or a different type of furniture you’ve never considered gracing with your presence. Can you find that spot?
15. Pick a random word from the dictionary and relate it to your life somehow
Grab a dictionary, open it on a random page, close your eyes, and point to a word with your finger. What does it mean? How can you relate it to your life?
16. Do something 10% slower than usual
This one would be hard if you’re a nervous, speed-gets-it-done type of person, like me. I fly through tasks even if they still take me a long time (not sure how that happens, but it does). Yet. Slow. Down. Take a deep breath, count slowly while performing the task, intentionally take your time, and savour the feeling, the task itself.
17. Go outside and walk without a destination for 10 minutes
Hopefully, you live in a safe place, because walking without a destination could lead you to interesting places. An alternative to this task would be to jump in your car and take unknown roads to absolutely nowhere to see where you’ll end up.
18. Think about what you’d do today if no one was watching or judging
How would you spend your day if no one was watching? What would you do first thing in the morning? What’s the first activity you’d go for? How would you dress, and what would you like to think and talk about?
19. Write a short “reset list” of what would make today feel better
This is a lovely little trick for bad mental health days. Grab a piece of paper and answer the following question: If I could do one thing that would make today much better, what would that be? Then keep writing.
20. Remove 10 items from your home that feel like “visual noise”
And if you aren’t sure what visual noise is, ask ChatGPT, it knows the best. The other day I uploaded a photo of my kitchen and asked it to suggest improvements. It just said I need to remove the “visual noise” and gave me a photo of the exact same kitchen but with empty counters… now I don’t want to talk to it anymore.
21. Write a few lines about the life you don’t want (clarity exercise)
This is a serious task and might require some extra thought. Yet, doing it could help you see cracks in your life right now that could lead you to a life you wouldn’t enjoy. If you need some extra inspiration, here are 17 questions to lead you to your life’s purpose.
22. Go to a solo movie, dinner, or just for a coffee
Whatever it is, just do it alone and make sure it’s out of your comfort zone. Sipping from a cup of coffee on a busy street, by yourself, while people-watching might sound romantic but it’s challenging. Do it anyway. Going to the cinema alone is also a way to push your limits and feel a bit vulnerable. Do it anyway.
23. Try a new sport or a class (it could be a Youtube video as well)
The good thing about the online world today is that a simple search could easily get you to a beginner level in almost any sport or activity. Pick yours. Make sure it’s something you’ve never done before but have a spark of curiosity about.
24. Strike up a conversation with a stranger
Talk to me about leaving my comfort zone. Starting a conversation with a complete stranger (that isn’t the cashier at Tesco) could easily send me into an anxiety attack. It would take a lot of planning on my side… unless I go to the playground with my son and strike a conversation with another mum. Yep, that sounds like a plan. What’s yours?
25. Go 24 hours without spending any money
I am not talking about rent, mortgage, or bills. I am talking about not buying absolutely anything, even if you feel like you “must”, exactly today. Can you do that?
26. Learn a phrase in three different languages
That one’s really fun, and it helps you work with your brain, making it remember something in a language you’ve never practiced. If I had to pick three languages, I would go for French, Albanian, and Filipino (don’t ask me why, that’s what popped into my head)
27. Find 5 riddles online and solve them
The web is filled with fun riddles that would tickle your brain for a good few hours (or days) and if you manage to guess the answer, you’re likely to go back for another one, and another one after that.
28. Go barefoot outdoors
The benefits of walking barefoot outside are numerous, but here are a few of them: improved blood circulation, stress relief, connection to nature, improved mood and many, many more. Some people say we should be doing it every day, but even once in a while is better than nothing.
29. Write a song that would describe your life
Would it be a country song, a rock ballad, or a fun and catchy one? Maybe the words won’t come immediately to you – start writing anyway and see where you end up.
30. Make origami
Do that one, especially if you’ve never considered doing it. This list is about challenging yourself, initiating tiny projects, trying new things, and enjoying the process. So what if you’ll never do that again?
5 Spare Ideas
- Pick a random country and find a YouTube video of their traditional dance, then learn it.
- Write a short story.
- Prank a family member (but be nice).
- Listen to a podcast on a topic you know nothing about.
- Make a paper crown and wear it for an hour.
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I have a life reset blueprint I can always follow, an inspiration, a guide to keep me grounded and focused on what matters. And I will share it with you right here, hopefully to help you find your way out of hard times and bring more light into your soul.
Blogger, dreamer, procrastinator, and lover of everything soul-touching. My mission is to make you laugh, provoke your thoughts, light up your day and inspire you to fall in love with life and yourself.
