Anyone fancy a Do something new every day thread?

[woodcutbirds]

Been discussing how much it helped kick me out of depression to do something - anything - every day that I'd not done before or not since childhood, or something I was scared to do. It made more difference than anything else.
Does anyone fancy having a go at doing something new every day for a week?

Link again, clickable

Happiness Calendar

That's lovely eggsandbutter.

I've name changed for June/going forward - channelling my new inner calm!

I am going to write a 'new things' list over the next couple of weeks. I've been winging it as I go along but I'd love a list I can dip into.

Yesterday I went to Dunelm with my mum and bought new pillows. I cannot explain how much joy this bought me! A while ago I spent £40 on two 'fuller' pillows from Debenhams and I never got on with them. I now have the 'perfect pillows' for me and had a lovely nights sleep. I don't shop that often, neither does my Mum and we both said how fun it was seeing all the different things! I bought new bath mats and a bedroom mirror too so feel very happy with my little investment. We stopped after and listened to a classical band in the park playing an 80s hit.

Today's new thing has been going back to work! It has been a mini whirl today but I have finished up with reflecting positively, rather than beating myself up, which is new for me. My new thing for the next couple of weeks is maintaining the work life balance!

It's lovely to pop back into this thread - it started as a week then went for a whole month!

Has it really been going a month? Let's keep it going!

EggandButter really glad you are taking time off. What's the point of being self-employed if we can't use the scheduling of work to our advantage.
And thanks for the Happiness calendar. I'll take a look.

Lemonbalm new pillows - the right pillows - is a really good one. I never have the right one. I rarely shop too, so it's fun when you do.

Today's was very silly. In another thread on MN people were chatting about silly inventions we wish existed and I said, how about play parks designed for adults which loads of people were up for.

Well, after work today I went off to walk down a road I'd never walked down before and found a secluded play park in a sunny meadow down a country lane. Was definitely not a private garden as it had loads of access points and very municipal-strength equipment. There wasn't a soul about so I went in and had a go on the zip wire and the climbing frame and the big swing and the balancing poles. It was very good fun. I recommend it. A play in a deserted play park. Put it on your lists! then walked back through a woodland I've not been through before. Bit scary but OK.

Thanks @woodcutbirds I will try your remedy tomorrow when dd is back at school

I always try to go on something at the park with dd. I like the exercise machines where you stride about like the BFG the best. I'm building up to the zip wire - it's a high one and I have to lift dd so would be a jump and pray event.

Today I spent out for picnic goods from M&S; something I've not done in ages and probably shouldn't have done really as this month is going to be tight too... however I found a really nice hummus with pesto and have decided to keep the sleeve with the ingredients in to make it at home. Tomorrow will be that, weeding, mowing and trying to shift this chesty nasty. That is the plan anyway!

Powerbadgers I took inspiration from you and turned the shower to cold for the last 30 seconds (OK probably 5!) this morning. Invigorating!

There is a zip wire at our local park and it is super fun if you can get on when it's quiet.

I think I might be a bit addicted to the cold blast in the shower now. It really is refreshing.

Today I went to a new yoga class as I can't make my usual one later in the week. It was really good and I think I'll go again next week if I'm free.

@woodcutbirds - that remedy is lovely! I didn't have an orange but used a grapefruit instead and doubled your amount with the intention of having some for tomorrow as well. I've almost finished it! Once the turmeric settles it's very refreshing!

Not getting much done in the garden as it's raining but have done a wash and put washing away. It's a start.

Also my turkish towels arrived today which is exciting - they are thin cotton towels you can roll up and use as sarongs or blankets but very handy for towels in suitcases as they dry fast, don't take up much room and are lightweight. They do them on Amazon for 4 for £17.99 if anyone is interested. We've been going to the beach so much it seems like a good investment for the summer.

They have some swings and frames in a park near work - next time I'm there I'll have a walk round the park and if they are free have a go. Outdoor gyms are fab too.

Zip Wires are brilliant. The longest one in Europe is in Wales...it's on my to do list.

I will try the cold shower remedy - I can only do it by gradually turning the water down over a couple of weeks!

Those Turkish towels are a great idea. I have a couple of those super absorbent travel towels that I take to the pool, but those seem more natural so when they need replacing I'll get them!

I've done quite a bit of tidying, I am working for the rest of today and then going to a different keep fit class. The gym called and the only time they can do my induction is straight after that. I will be dead.

Morning all. Today's new thing was a workout at home using a YouTube video. I really want to get fitter but don't have the money for the gym right now and am feeling way to self conscious for running at the moment. I thought something I can do in the privacy of my own livingroom would be a winner until my confidence bis I a bit. It was pretty good and I feel impressed with myself for getting through the whole thing.

Hope you survived the gym induction lemonbalm.

Well done PowerBadgers. You've reminded me I was going to do some YouTube Yoga! Will do that before lunch as my new thing today

lemonbalm hope the gym went well. I went to a 1:1 training session as part of last year's membership but found it a bit too hardcore. I've let my membership slide this year due to cost but it was nice to do the classes.

I'm making a To Do list as the house is a bombshell after half term and I can't seem to get started on it. Half of me says just relax and get better but the other half thinks I will feel better if everything is done...it just never is

Hi everyone,
How's it going?

The day before yesterday I went to an artist's open studio on my own. That was a first.
Yesterday I watched a film on my laptop. Never worked out how to do that before. (Sad, I know.)
And I've been wearing my hair in a bun. Very new to me. It's usually too short for that but has grown. Going to get it chopped when i'm home (away this week for work) but have enjoyed looking like Jane Eyre.
Not sure what today's might be.

Hi woodcut. I love the idea of going to an artist's open studio. I think I might add that to my wishlist.

Today I have ordered a new laptop because mine has died. I also tried out a new yoga routine and a new recipe using vegetarian mince for dinner. Seems to have gone down pretty well. I'm trying to eat less meet but it's challenging when my diet is already restricted due to my IBS.

Hello woodcutbirds. I love a new hairstyle! Can completely change your mood and posture I think. Buns seem to make me elongate my neck and stand straighter somehow.

Feeling quite bright this afternoon actually. Dd had a massive meltdown about a swimming lesson straight after school but she really perked up when we got home because I set up a hammock (thanks to a stand from Amazon!). She's currently reading in it which is a miracle. So my new thing today was setting up a hammock stand - hopefully a good investment to future serenity

Yoga yesterday was OK, wasn't massively feeling it tbh but will try another one tomorrow. I also took 2 bags of old clothes/toys and shoes to charity today so the house is looking less cluttered.

I admire your decluttering Lonely - that's something I never get round to doing. The hammock is a great one. I might add that to my list.

Badgers have you tried Quorn mince? I know lots of people have food intolerance to it so it might not work with IBS, but it does have great texture. My DC like it almost as much as real mince.

Happy Friday everyone!

I've just started counselling and my counsellor said something in my second session about a fear, and said that was something we could delve into if I felt comfortable. I didn't want to go into it, as it's a can of worms and the sessions are only half an hour, so we moved on.

I was thinking about it afterwards and had a big cry, and had another big cry last night. I know exactly where the fears come from, and the new thing is that I can see how recent events have triggered them (fear of harm to me, fear of harm to others and fear of loss).

I now feel in a sort of limbo as I wait for the next session - I have the urge to tell the counsellor what I've realised but at the same time I just want to distract myself and not think about things until the next session. The waiting in itself is a source of more anxiety.

Writing it down has helped. I am going to try and do some nurturing things for myself and maybe over the week I will develop some more understanding of the relevance/meaning of these feelings or my counsellor can help me understand. I know it is a therapeutic process.

Yesterday I made black bean chilli (tasty and really quick). Tomorrow I've booked to see Rocket Man and I'm trying a new yoga class on Sunday.

hi lemonbalm - I think writing it down is a really good idea. It will help you release the tension surrounding it instead of holding it in until next session. And it may help you clarify some of your thoughts and feelings around it so that when you do mention it in counselling you already have some wisdom on it or questions about it, and can get more from the session.
I didn't really do anything new yesterday, unless you count walking for about 200 yards down a road I don't know then turning back because a storm was brewing. I'm pretty much absorbed in this work project right now which is new-ish in itself. Perhaps that counts.

I know writing things down always helps me lemon. It sort of solidifies all those whirring thoughts somehow. I hope you're feeling a bit better today.

I haven't really done any new things today. I've been mainly setting up my new laptop which isn't really a new thing as I used to work in IT and have set up a gazillion laptops. It is rather nice having one that works properly though, so I have enjoyed myself immensely.

Hello all!
Sorry for the radio silence, we’ve been away for a few days :)
A few new things:

I’ve been to a touristy place and did the touristy thing 😂. I tend to avoid doing that, thinking it’s a rip off. But my partner is very much into that sort of thing. I had fun, I enjoyed it and it’s definitely the start of something new.

I have a bad cold, hence the 3.30 am post, I woke myself up with my coughing.

My new thing is a realisation. That no one is ever going to believe me when I say I’m knackered if I carry on doing the same things than usual as if I was exhausted. And that I need to treat myself the same way I would advise anyone else to treat themselves. Aka with kindness.

So, after this realisation, today I am going to run the day to my own schedule. I have an event I need to attend today. Being there just in time means me rushing and hurrying which never works for me. So I’ve decided to go at my own pace and arrive 10mins later if need be (I know it’s not going to be an issue anyway).

I just found this thread this morning - I’ve only read the first two pages so far, but it made me feel so light and happy to read about all of your ‘new’s that I jumped out of bed after a terrible nights sleep and am now out in the garden in my pjs, rediscovering something I used to do a lot, which is wander round the garden and sit on the step and drink coffee in the morning - so not quite a new, but a definite improvement on laying in bed feeling dreadful. Will think up my list today!

Egg that sounds very sensible! I always notice how much calmer dd and I are on the weekends when i'm not desperately trying to get her out of the door for school. It really changes the mindset if you think of it as "roughly X time" - give or take 10mins - rather than being so strict on yourself. I try to remind myself of that if I get anxious in the mornings.

I had a cream tea in a hotel in my town yesterday as a new thing. Not all to myself mind . Was delish - a raspberry cake that was devine!

Hi @JontyDoggle37 - welcome! We are having fun. There's loads of brilliant ideas on this list and if you come up with some - please share them! Pottering round the garden with a coffee is a lovely thing to do. DH does it a lot and the few times I do it, I see why. It's very soothing.

Badgers I'm impressed by your IT knowledge. Enjoy your new computer. That counts.

Egg a new attitude is a brilliant one to add. I'd never thought of it that way. But what a breakthrough. Realising we don't 'have' to do so many things we force ourselves to do is so liberating.

Fencing sorry about your cold. Try the remedy I posted upthread. It worked for Lonely (and we're on another thread together - don't know if you saw, but I read your post and am feeling very mother-hen towards you. Look after yourself. Cluck cluck. )

Today's the day I actually plant that bleeding herb garden. I've been buying the plants and promising to do it on this thread now for a few weeks. It's sunny outside and I've found a lovely old metal tub with dead stuff in it lurking at the end of the garden, so I'm cleaning it out and planting. I might even try and take a photo of it and post it here. No idea how to do that and have never done it before.

I have been out today, and Been Social (something I really struggle with). In fact I came up to Aberdeen yesterday, did a crochet class, had dinner with friends in the hotel, then went to Yarnfest today, and talked to plenty of other people.

I am now all peopled out (and have spent a bit too much on yarn), and am back in my room, being antisocial, and MNing.

Sounds fun Wolef - Yarnfest! I once had to take DS2 to a Bassists convention at Olympia and on the next floor up was a yarn convention. The lifts were full of blokes in bike jackets and women with fabulous home knitwear. I was intrigued. (Been to a LOT of bass conventions but no yarn ones. That would be a good first.)

• thanks for the welcome. Thought I’d share a pic of the Quiche Lorraine I made tonight, first time ever! Husband says it is delicious 😋 it won’t be a frequent flyer in our kitchen though because a) it is about 1,000 calories per portion and b) it is a monumental faff to make lol!! Still I did it and I’m really pleased I did. I also made it to the garden centre, spent far too much on plants and still have more to dig in tonight, better get to it before I lose the light!