We’ve talked a big game about planning and taking the leap this year. But what if you’re not sure where to start? What if you don’t even know what you want? Or what if the constant flood of “make this your year” messages (this Substack included!) just feels overwhelming?
Give yourself a break. You don’t have to make this your year. Not unless you want to. And even if you do, you don’t have to know exactly where to start.
Shift Your Perspective
Instead of feeling like you need to commit to one big, audacious goal, try something smaller. Take an inventory of your life—what lights you up? What have you always been curious about? Then, play with those ideas. Experiment. Have a little fun. Take the pressure off.
Treat Life Like a Playground
When we were kids, we didn’t overthink trying something new—we just did it. Climbing trees, splashing in puddles, making up games on the fly. Curiosity led the way, and we followed without worrying about how things would turn out.
That same curiosity is what led me to start writing here. I didn’t have it all figured out. I wrote one post, then another, and kept going, little by little. I’m still experimenting and figuring it out, and that’s part of the fun.
This year, I’m leaning into play and experimentation. Instead of traveling just for places, I’m traveling to try new things. And instead of committing to moving somewhere, I’m experimenting by living in a few places to see what feels right.
Next up: a month in Banff. I saw the northern lights there earlier this year and want to try photographing them again. But it’s more than that—I’ve always dreamed of living in a ski town and skating on wild ice. So, I’m saying yes to trying those things, even if I don’t know how they’ll turn out.
Later this year, my mom and I are planning to try an adventure race. For context: I can barely run, don’t know how to orienteer, and have minimal mountain biking experience. But it intrigues me, so we’re starting small—watching videos, doing research, and figuring out the basics. It’s step one, and for now, that’s enough.
Start Small
You don’t need to start with something as big as an adventure race or living in a ski town. Start small. And most importantly, make it fun.
- Curious about drawing? Grab a notebook and doodle at the park.
- Always wondered about that new coffee drink? Order it next time you’re at the café.
- Spotted a hiking trail nearby? Lace up your shoes and explore.
When I dreamed of traveling, I started small too. I watched travel vloggers on YouTube and subscribed to Nat Geo Traveler. My first trip to Europe? A short visit to friends studying abroad. There was a safety net in playing with the dream before taking a bigger leap.
When you treat life as play, there’s no pressure to “get it right.” It’s about stepping in, getting messy, and enjoying the process. Little by little, you’ll see what feels good, what sparks your interest, and what pulls you forward.
Still Not Sure? Listen to Your Intuition
In my experience, those things you can’t stop wondering about—the ideas that keep popping up in your mind? That’s your intuition nudging you in a direction. It’s calling you to play with the idea, to experiment.
It might not turn out to be your forever thing. But it might open a door to something you’d never have imagined otherwise.
Let’s Experiment Together
What’s one thing you’ve always been curious about? One thing you’ve wanted to try but keep putting off?
Go for it. Start small. Make it fun. See where it leads.
For me, this year is all about leaning into curiosity and experimenting to figure out what’s next. From skating on wild ice to testing my limits in an adventure race, I’m treating life like a playground.
What about you? What’s your first experiment? Let’s do this together—share your ideas, and let’s inspire each other to play.
