For this third segment of our New Year New You series we are featuring different ways to step outside our typical, daily regimen, in order to reinvigorate and reconnect with ourselves. We can all find ourselves feeling uninspired, anxious, or disconnected at times, and one of the best ways to find more meaning in life is to change things up in our spare time. First on our list is: taking a trip or going on a retreat (without family). Especially if you are in the midst of a personal crisis, life transition, or just want to achieve more peace and happiness in your life, getaways and retreats are a great way to unplug from daily stressors, learn, heal, get quiet, and reconnect to who you really are and what you really want. Below we’ve featured a handful of retreats that specialize in certain practices and are designed to pamper and focus on you. But you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to hit the reset button or get inspired. Consider driving to and renting a place nearby (in the mountains, beach, or desert) for a long weekend, or stay at a friend’s house in a different town. If you aren’t able to commit to a retreat or a trip right now, there are plenty of other ways to plug into the happiness inside yourself through the other categories on our list: activities and hobbies. What’s the difference between an activity and a hobby you might be wondering? For the purposes of this blog, we have defined an activity as something scheduled that you do outside of work or home and that’s typically done with other people, while hobbies are something that you do on your own time, by yourself and for yourself. So for example, scrapbooking would be considered a hobby while attending a monthly book club would be an activity. Whichever category you choose, all of these extracurricular ideas are here to help you on your 2024 journey whether it be socially, physically, or spiritually.

travel retreats:

ACTIVITIES:

Join a Book or Garden Club

If you’re looking to be more social this year, then consider joining a local book or gardening club. Have you always loved plants or are you interested in developing a green thumb? More than likely there is a garden club within your local civic league or neighborhood that you can join. You can also do a quick Google search to find the closest garden club to you. If reading is your thing, you can also do a Google search or go to Meetup.com for information on book clubs in your area. Local libraries will often host book discussions or you can check your local bookstore to see if they have any suggestions on local book clubs. You could even start your own book club with friends, family, and neighbors! Whether or not you have experience in books or gardening, the goal of these clubs is usually to have fun, be social, and learn a little something along the way. So expand your social horizons this year while learning a new skill! It will add years to your life.

Volunteer or Coach

Giving back to the community is something that we should all do often. If there is a cause, charity, church, school, or foundation you have always donated money to or whose mission resonates with you, consider reaching out to them to find out when their next volunteer event is. Local food banks, charitable thrift stores, animal shelters, hospitals, schools, churches, and many other organizations are always looking for volunteers, so choose one that speaks to you and reach out to them. If its mentoring and sports that interests you, coaching for a school or community rec team may be a great option for you. Either way, volunteering your time and energy to your community is one of the best ways to lead a fuller, happier life. Helping others in need is the best gift that you can give to this world, and there are many organizations that need volunteers or coaches. So if you have some extra time to donate 1-4 hours a week, think about how you’d like to volunteer (or coach), and start doing your research.

Implement a New Exercise Regimen

Unless you have a personal trainer (or don’t exercise at all), you are most likely a creature of habit who follows the same workout routine every week. It’s true that after 4-6 weeks, your muscles stop developing if exposed the exact same workouts, so it’s important to mix it up every once in a while and “trick” your muscles into growing again. And, incorporating and learning new exercises is excellent for boosting confidence and self-esteem. So if you’re caught up in a “Groundhog Day” fitness situation, consider adopting two or three new methodologies into your weekly routine. For example, if you’re used to hopping on your stationary bike or treadmill everyday, consider changing the incline or try a new cycle course. In addition, add a weight training routine once a week along with yoga once a week. Then change it up again every 6 weeks. This way, you maximize the effectiveness of your workouts. Afterall, if you are investing the time to exercise, you might as well make the most of it.

Take a College Course

If you’re bored, in a career rut, or you have always wanted to learn a specific topic, then do a Google search for college courses available to you. Currently, community and private colleges offer an array of online and in-person classes on a variety of topics. (although I highly recommend in-person if you want to experience the full benefits of learning) Want to learn more about Interior Design, Computer Programming, or Digital Marketing? Learning something new is one of the best ways to build your confidence and get your life moving in a forward direction. And even if you aren’t 100% sure that a certain topic is something that you want to pursue, you can always try the class and then drop the class before the drop deadline if you discover it’s not what you had in mind. Just make sure you do plenty of research on the specific course you are considering before signing up, as this will save you time, energy and money.

HOBBIES:

Creating Scrapbooks and Albums

If nostalgia and creating family memories is your thing, then consider scrapbooking. We all have boxes and bins filled with keepsakes that we have “plans” for. It’s easy to take photos and collect items from school, birthdays, trips, and other milestones, but we rarely have time to put these items together in a fun, organized, and meaningful way. So if you have some downtime, then consider breaking out all of the old photos, concert tickets, awards, and other memorabilia you have collected over the years and get started on a scrapbook that your entire family will enjoy for generations. You can even create digital photo books online with all of those pictures you have saved on your phone!

Baking

Baking is an art form and something that we admire in those who know how to do it well. If you’ve experienced the therapeutic benefits of creating something in the kitchen and you’re looking to level up your kitchen skills, then consider learning how to bake. Compared to cooking, baking can be a bit more complicated and precise, so be ready for some trial and error, especially if you’re a novice. If you already love to bake, consider taking it up a notch and learn something a bit more challenging like croissants, macarons, or wedding cakes! Who knows, it could lead you to start your own baking business if your passion is strong enough. The best thing about baking is being able to share your delicious creations with family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors!

Photography or Videography

Some people have a great eye for capturing the right moment, the right light, and the right expression when taking photos. This person could be you. So if you have always been fascinated by great photos or videos, consider learning more about photography or videography. Todays’ smartphones are incredible at producing great photos and video, and there are lots of YouTube videos and online courses you can find through Instagram that can teach you tricks and tips on how to produce high-quality photos or videos. If you’re more of a purist and can afford to invest in a great camera, go for it. Either way, it could be the start of a side hustle or a whole new career!

Writing

Writing is one part creativity and one part therapy. This is probably why some of the greatest writers have faced many struggles and trauma in their lives. If you love to write or journal, consider writing a novel, biography, or short story on something that resonates strongly with you. It is an excellent way to relieve stress while also expressing your ideas and imagination. Most famous authors started writing as a hobby before making it their full-time career. You could very well be the next J.K. Rowling, Alice Walker, or Amy Tan!

Painting

Painting can seem very intimidating at first, but once you get started, you just need to let go and let your unique senses and tuition take over. Plus, as you continue to paint, your skills will improve and evolve into something uniquely you - which is the entire point of making art! The added bonus is that painting completely relaxes you as it is a form of meditation. So paint to your hearts content and feel your stress melt away.

Jewelry Making

Do you love jewelry? And do you like the idea of being more creative? Then, jewelry making could just be your new hobby. Check out Amazon or your local crafting store for jewelry making kits, books, and supplies. There are also plenty of YouTube videos that you can watch for free that show you step by step how to bead, crimp, and even solder (if you are extra adventurous!) Design jewelry for yourself or create something special for someone’s birthday. They will always cherish such a thoughtful, handmade gift.

Learning an Instrument

Whether you’ve always wanted to learn how to play guitar, piano, or you want to refine your shower singing skills, learning a new instrument is a great way to create more musical joy or confidence in your life. Do some research and call your local music store or music school and make an appointment. Some schools will offer their first lesson for free, so give it a try and see if you leave rejuvenated or feeling more curious after your first session. This may be the blossoming of a hidden talent!

Knitting, Needlepoint, or Quilting

Anything that involves human hands, fabric, and a needle is going to result in something very special: both materially and spiritually. As with all of the hobbies we’ve featured in this blog, not only is it incredibly relaxing and therapeutic to do, it also yields something useful and remarkable in the end. Some of our favorite keepsakes are items that were hand-knit, hand-quilted or created by needlepoint. The time, love, patience and creativity that goes into these beautiful pieces is unparalleled. In our opinion, anything hand-crafted is superior in the realm of gift-giving.

Let us know what other activities, hobbies, or retreats you plan on embarking on this year! We would love to add to our list next year! Good Luck with whatever you choose to do in your spare time. Whatever it is, we hope it brings you peace, joy, and fulfillment. XOXO Penny and Maya