My Well-Being

Does your life seem dull and boring? Do you follow the same routine every day? Do you wish that your life was more interesting but feel that there is nothing you can do to change it? Many of us live from day to day stuck in our comfort zone, only to find that life is uneventful and unexciting. It can seem frightening to leave your comfort zone, but the key is to start with small steps that may lead to greater changes for the better. Here are some easy ways to step out of your comfort zone and make your daily life more interesting.

• Vary Your Daily Routine.
  There are many ways in which you can vary your daily routine. Drive a different route to or from work, or, better still, walk for all or part of the way and take time to admire nature or notice an interesting landmark. At lunchtime, why not visit a café that you’ve never been to before or take a walk in an area that is unfamiliar to you? Instead of going straight home from work, stop somewhere on the way or even make a detour to visit an interesting place.
• Be Spontaneous.
  Often life is dull because we are never spontaneous. Each day is planned out in advance with little opportunity for spontaneity. Look out for opportunities to do something unexpected during your day. You could take an opportunity to do something nice for someone or you could look out for someone who needs help and offer your assistance. A simple gesture such as buying a loved one some flowers or a small gift can also brighten your own day, as well as the day of the recipient.
• Eat or Drink Something Different.
  It is easy to slip into a routine when it comes to eating and drinking. If you start each day with the same breakfast cereal, replace it with fresh fruit and yogurt. If you always grab the same coffee on your way to work, order a drink that you’ve never tried before. If you eat a packed lunch with the same ingredients day in and day out, replace it with completely different food.
• Learn a New Skill, Hobby or Sport.
  Life is undoubtedly dull if we never try anything new. Why not check out the evening classes available at your local college and sign up for a course on a skill, hobby or sport that is completely unknown to you? It may seem daunting at first, but you will be rewarded for taking a step into the unknown through the development of unexpected skills. The process of learning may be challenging at times, but it will also give your life more meaning and purpose, and, in the longer term, you will be proud of your accomplishments.
• Set Yourself a Long-Term Challenge.
  Once you have made small changes to your daily routine and your life has become more interesting, it is time to set yourself a long-term challenge.
  • If you are bored and dissatisfied with your job, set yourself the task of finding another job. Don’t just look for any suitable job, but take the time to think about what your dream job would be and do as much research as you can about the new field that you would like to enter. Then, write down specific goals that will enable you to work towards finding a job in that area.
  • If you are happy with your job, there are other ways in which you can set yourself a longer term challenge. Perhaps you have always wanted to write a novel. Start writing and set yourself daily or weekly writing goals to keep you motivated.
  • If you wish to become more fit, perhaps the long term challenge of running a marathon would inspire you. Write down a training plan with specific milestones along the way, such as completing a five mile run and finishing a half-marathon, before you tackle the marathon itself.
  • If you start to change your daily life in small ways, you will find that your attitude to life begins to become more positive. Instead of complaining about the tedium of your life, you will begin to enjoy those aspects that you are changing for the better. You will also realize that you are the only person who has the power to change your life for the better. Small changes will eventually lead to more dramatic changes. In a year’s time, your life will bear little resemblance to the life of dull routine you once led.