What do you do to keep life interesting and special?

[Ohnoohdear]

I’ve never been adventurous, neither has my other half. We both find it difficult to make more effort to make life more interesting. It’s too easy to slump in front of tv when DS (2.5) has gone to bed as we both work (him full time, me part time) Everyday looks the same and whilst I know that social media is a facade, I can’t help but feeling like I’m not making enough effort for us and my son in comparisons to others.

We’re fine in the grand scale of things. Go out a couple of times a day to see friends, granny, shops, park, soft play etc etc but I still feel like we could do more. I hate being a couch potato!

I guess my question is - what little things do you do to brighten up your everyday life for you and your family? Would love some tips!

The best way to do this is to do something you have never done before every single day. it can be tiny - walking down a street in your neighbourhood you've never walked down before, or trying a new pasta sauce, but it puts you in the spirit of adventure and makes you more up for trying new/bigger/exciting/more challenging things generally.

Another thing is to make sure you have something small to look forward to each day - coffee with a friend or an exercise class you like or even a favourite TV show, then something medium to look forward to each week - maybe a trip to the cinema or lunch with people you love or a day trip somewhere fun with DC; something big each month - maybe a theatre trip or gig or a weekend away and something massive each year - maybe a job promotion or house move or gaining a qualification or holiday of a life time. The sort of thing where you say: that was the year I gave borth to X or travelled to Y or gained by degree in Z or ran the marathon etc. Landmark stuff once a year. keeps you on your toes. I don't always manage it but I do every other year, and it keeps life interesting.

Oh duh. You wanted small every day tips. I love these. I do stuff like: putting on uplifting music in the morning - sometimes calm piano or sometimes disco etc. When DC were small we'd have a kitchen dance most days in the evening before bed. Abba or YMCA etc.

I always feed wildlife so DC can watch the birds, squirrels and foxes in the garden.

We had little rituals like Friday night was either family games night or home made popcorn family film night (started with stuff like Disney, moved onto Studio Ghibli and by their teens DC were choosing brilliant films I'd never even heard of!)

Mix things up a bit. If it's fine but not too hot we sometimes wrapped up our tea and took it to the park for a picnic, sometimes meeting other friends there too so DC could paly on the slides and swings, then have tea then come home for bayh and bed.

Both of your replies are great, thank you!

Doing something new everyday to flex those adventure-muscles sound like a great idea and I’m now going to make a little list! I love the idea of making Friday/Saturday special with a fun routine.

What about not doing any of that? Embracing the calm, simple pleasure of a good, happy life?

@goldfinchonthelawn forgot to tag you!

Try new food recipes every week. Different cuisines.

Get an ordinance survey map of your area and go and explore. You'll be amazed at the things you've missed. And no, Google maps won't tell you half as much.

I read a lot, and I run different routes. Vary your exercise, swim or cycle. Play tennis. It doesn't matter if you aren't any good.

Go out for breakfast - less expensive than going out for supper.

On a Sunday, go for a walk at 6am, even if only one of you can go.

I try and have one thing planned each weekend (we work full time like both of you, so weekends are what we have).

I tried a jar of ideas once, so you put loads of things to do in it and whatever comes out you do. Had one for sunny and rainy days - it had things like the zoo (we have an annual pass), beach, fly a kite, puddle hunt (wellies in and we find puddles to jump in). It never really took off for us, but I’m a planner and like things to look forward to.

DP and me go to a nice hotel every other month, no kids and good food.

this weekend we went into the city on a bus, we usually drive, had breakfast out and a mooch around the shops. Friends came over for a BBQ in the evening. kids loved it and were largely well behaved!

@dudsville
I certainly appreciate what we have and like the idea of calm but making more effort to make memories and have a good time together is a must for me as I too easily fall into couch potato mode..(the kind where your back hurts and you’re thirsty but can’t be bothered to get up). I feel more positive and happy when I make more effort personally.

When I feel like this I really like to get the train to a place I don't know very well and either have a walk around or just sit in a cafe or something. It doesn't have to be far, the next town over will do, as long as it's somewhere I don't go often. It really helps, especially after covid and being confined to my own neighbourhood for so long.

Research your local area and start exploring it. Your little one will start getting so much out of walks in woods, farms and parks. It can open up a whole new world as everything becomes a little adventure.
Then find some places that are a little bit further away that you could go for a day out once a month or so.
Take picnics or buy food there if you can afford it.
Go out for ice cream
Pick up a pizza and eat it on a picnic blanket in a park. Take a ball and have a play.
Go swimming
Day out to a beach
Have movie nights
Special breakfasts on Sunday mornings. In the garden if the weather is good.

I love this idea and I've never done it. I get the train to towns I know but I never get off at the stations in between. I'm definitely going to do this.

Each of you does one sport or exercise class per week? Makes you feel less couch potato-y.
Camping trips with other family/ies, you don't need to travel more than 1.5 hrs away its all about max time camping not exotic locations.
Sunday pub lunches.
Brunch in a fun cafe.
Friday movie night at home.
Invite a family around for Sunday afternoon tea.

Do an evening class in something; try something new, get a new skill/hobby, meet some new people, push yourself out of your comfort zone, spend at least one night a week off the sofa.

We also used to set small challenges as a family when DC were small. We'd go swimming each week and up the number of lengths by two at every session until we could all swim a mile. Or we'd go out for hilly walks locally to get fit for climbing Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Scafell. Those are some of my happiest memories now DC are grown.

Think about what you want to give your DC for them to enjoy all their life. I really wnated my DC to love art. I love art but my DSis hates it as we were dragged around galleries as kids. I never wanted them to feel art was boring so I used to take them to see just one painting then go for a cake or ice cream. Then two paintings, then three. By the time they were top primary school they were dragging me round galleries and I was the one sulking, wanting a cup of tea because we'd seen too much art!

@goldfinchonthelawn

Another thing is to make sure you have something small to look forward to each day; something medium to look forward to each week; something big each month and landmark stuff once a year.

This is the best advice I've ever read and I'm going to do this! Thanks for sharing it. Brilliant.

Mostly place marking here.
I find wandering off on my own around parts of the city (London) I don't know refreshes me. Going with the kids often involves a whinge fest about what they want (sweets, a drink, another drink, a sit down, to go home etc)

I’m reading through these and writing the longest list! Sorry I can’t reply to everyone. Such good and inspiring ideas, thank you ❤️