How to Develop a Habit of Trying Something New Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Sam Booth
Apr 16
5 min read

Trying something new is one of the best ways to grow, stay curious, and keep life exciting. It opens the door to unexpected passions, surprising opportunities, and fresh perspectives. But — it can also feel intimidating, exhausting, or downright overwhelming.

If you’ve ever wanted to shake up your routine, learn a new skill, or explore a creative side of yourself but didn’t know where to start (or how to keep going), this guide is for you. You’ll learn how to make trying new things a sustainable habit—without burnout, guilt, or pressure. Just small steps, consistent action, and a bit of inspiration along the way.

Why Trying New Things Matters More Than Ever

In our hyper-connected world, it's easy to fall into routines that are comfortable but uninspiring. We scroll, we multitask, we go through the motions. But what about curiosity? What about that spark that lights you up inside?

Here’s what regularly trying new things can do for you:

Boost creativity – New inputs = new ideas.
Build confidence – Every new step you take shows you what you’re capable of.
Improve resilience – Getting comfortable with discomfort builds mental strength.
Enhance life satisfaction – Novelty stimulates joy, energy, and engagement.
Prevent burnout – A small shift in perspective can bring major refreshment.

💡 Pep Talk: You don’t need to reinvent your entire life. Trying one new thing at a time can be revolutionary.

Step 1: Start with Curiosity, Not Commitment

You don’t need to commit to something forever to try it. Let go of the idea that everything has to become a “thing.”

Shift your mindset from:

❌ “I have to master this.”

✅ “I’m just exploring.”

Give yourself permission to dabble, play, and sample. You’re not collecting trophies—you’re collecting insights, ideas, and moments of discovery.

Write this somewhere you’ll see it often: “It’s okay to try something new and not be good at it.”

Step 2: Choose Low-Stakes Starting Points

The key to building this habit is to make it as easy as possible. Don’t start with a 12-week intensive course. Start with something that requires zero pressure and minimal time.

Easy ways to try something new today:

Listen to a podcast from a different genre.
Try cooking one new recipe with ingredients you already have.
Explore a creative tool like a writing prompt generator.
Take a 5-minute online art, music, or meditation mini-session.
Browse The Changing Booth to find fun, free, and beginner-friendly activities.

The goal isn’t to be impressive—it’s to ignite your interest without overwhelming your energy.

Step 3: Schedule Tiny, Repeatable Moments of Novelty

Habits thrive in routines. Trying something new doesn’t need to be spontaneous every time—you can build it into your week.

Try this:

Monday: Try a new playlist while working.
Wednesday: Watch a 10-minute documentary on a random topic.
Friday: Explore a virtual art exhibit or foreign film.
Sunday: Take 15 minutes to journal about what you learned or felt.

Consistency turns novelty into momentum. You train your brain to expect and enjoy these micro-adventures.

Step 4: Turn Overwhelm Into Options

If you’re someone who loves lists or planning, trying new things might feel like one more thing to add. The trick is to create a menu, not a to-do list.

Make a "Try Something New" menu:

1 new hobby to explore
1 creative app or website to visit
1 virtual event to attend
1 new genre of book, podcast, or movie
1 DIY or maker challenge
1 mini goal just for fun

This way, you’re not stuck wondering what to try—you just pick from your menu based on your mood or time available.

Step 5: Focus on Feeling, Not Mastery

In a world obsessed with outcomes and achievements, choosing joy and curiosity is a radical act.

Ask yourself:

“Did this make me smile?”
“Did I learn something interesting?”
“Did I feel more alive after doing this?”

These are the metrics that matter when building a habit of trying something new. Not how many skills you’ve acquired or whether it led to something practical.

Growth doesn’t always look productive. Sometimes it just feels good.

Step 6: Reflect, Don’t Rate

After trying something new, take 2–5 minutes to write, voice-note, or mentally reflect on the experience. But instead of grading it, simply explore what it brought up for you.

Try prompts like:

What surprised me?
Would I try this again? Why or why not?
How did it feel to do something unfamiliar?
What would I try differently next time?

This step helps you process the value of the experience, even if it didn’t go perfectly—and builds self-awareness along the way.

Step 7: Invite Others to Join You

New experiences are even more enriching when shared. Plus, they’re a great way to connect, grow your confidence, and reduce the fear of the unknown.

Ideas:

Host a virtual "Try Something New Together" night with friends.
Share your experiments on social media to inspire others.
Invite a coworker or family member to join you in a creative challenge.
Join an online community that focuses on growth, curiosity, or learning.

Trying something new isn’t just an activity—it’s a mindset. The more you surround yourself with other curious minds, the more energized you’ll feel.

Step 8: Replace Judgment with Compassion

Trying something new often triggers that inner critic voice. “You’re not good at this.” “Why bother?” “You’ll just quit anyway.”

Here’s how to handle it:

Notice it without believing it.
Respond with self-compassion: “It’s okay to be a beginner.”
Reframe the experience: “This is progress, not perfection.”

Every time you try something new and treat yourself kindly, you’re building emotional resilience and confidence that lasts far beyond the activity itself.

Step 9: Track Your Curiosity Journey

You don’t need a formal habit tracker—but it can be fun and motivating to see how your new habit unfolds.

Try this:

Keep a digital curiosity log or bullet journal.
Write a “What I Tried This Week” entry every Sunday.
Note the things you want to explore next.

Over time, you’ll have a beautiful collection of experiences that show just how far you’ve come—and how much you’ve expanded your world.

Step 10: Celebrate What Trying Something New Says About You

Every time you try something new, you’re telling yourself:

I am brave.
I am curious.
I am open to growth.
I can start again—any time.

That’s worth celebrating.

So light a candle. Share your story. Dance it out. Or simply sit for a moment in the knowledge that you are creating a fuller, more meaningful life—one tiny new experience at a time.

🎯 Looking for your next spark?

Visit The Changing Booth for handpicked online activities that are fun, enriching, and totally beginner-friendly. Your next adventure could be just a click away.

Final Thoughts: Make Curiosity Your Lifestyle

You don’t have to climb mountains, start businesses, or reinvent your entire identity. You just have to stay open—to ideas, inspiration, and experiences that stretch you gently and consistently.

💡 Try one new thing a week. That’s 52 moments of growth a year.

You can build a meaningful life—not through pressure, but through presence.