How to Embrace Novelty in Everyday Life

When you think it will be the same old, same old again, you make a small change in your daily schedule, and suddenly, everything feels fresh and new. Novelty has the power to do that.

“Novelty—every time we experience something new, we feel fresh and energized. This is because we receive an influx of hormones like dopamine, vasopressin, or oxytocin from our brain cells. These hormones also make us feel more attentive about our activities. Novelty holds true to the saying, “Variety is the spice of life.” Meg Jordan, PhD

In this post, we‘ll examine the many benefits of novelty and discover simple ways to bring more newness into your life starting now.

What is Novelty? How Does it Impact the Brain?

“Novelty and pleasure activate the reward center in your brain, releasing dopamine, one of your feel-good hormones. Dopamine improves your mood and motivation, while also offsetting your stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol.” – Jessica Lee of Wellbeing Magazine

Dopamine enhances all sorts of well-being. According to Health Direct, “Dopamine acts on areas of the brain to give you feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation. Dopamine also has a role to play in controlling memory, mood, sleep, learning, concentration, movement, and other body functions.”

It’s the feel-good hormone. Sign me up!

Reasons you need to know about the power of novelty:

We always have this superpower available to us. We can choose to mix things up and be rewarded with a brand-new perspective.

Novelty offers unexpected benefits. We can approach situations that we may consider to be mundane in new ways. Being open to experiencing newness in our everyday routines can make a huge difference in our lives.

More benefits of novelty include greater access to creativity, feelings of excitement and joy, and the overall experience that life as a great adventure.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Embracing Novelty Starting Now:

In this list I’m mixing research-backed ideas with things that are working for me.

Some include:

• Make it a point to visit new places.
• Switch up your morning routine.
• Begin working on a new creative project.
• Be intentional about making new friends.
• Play with new recipes.
• Engage in a new hobby.
• Redecorate your living space.
• Listen to new music.
• Read a book that’s completely out of your genre.
• Commit to new spiritual practice.
• Practice seeing your environment through new eyes.

Next, let’s dive deeper into each of these ideas and provide more specific examples to inspire you…

Make it a point to visit new places.

How often do we literally go to the same places over and over? If we observe our behavior from a distance, we would look like tiny ants moving around in the same patterns daily, weekly, and monthly.

There are many places to discover, even in your town. Put something new on the calendar every week and see what happens.

Switch up your morning routine.

There are so many ways to switch things up.

Check out my ongoing morning routine here.

I recently stumbled upon this one and plan to bring some of her ideas to my routine soon.

Begin working on a new creative project.

Of all the steps and ideas above, I like this one is the best.

Creativity opens up an entirely new world. I learned so much from the book Conscious Creativity. The author, Philippa Stanton, provides many insights to set you on a creative path. From noticing the colors around you to embracing imperfection as an inroad to living more creatively, this book will inspire you to get started on a new path.

Read some of my favorite takeaways here.

And more thoughts on living creatively here.

Be intentional about making new friends.

This one might be the most “stepping out of the comfort zone,” but becoming acquainted with new friends may give us the pep in our step that we’re seeking right now.

The secret is to remain open.

One of my closest lifelong friends I made while going out for dinner one night. I sat next to her at a communal table in a restaurant in my hometown. We connected during the dinner and have been friends ever since. You never know when someone new is going to come into your life. It might even be today!

Play with new recipes.

I don’t know about you, but I get bored in the kitchen. To stay motivated, I constantly need new inspiration.

I was living in London this past year when I discovered Deliciously Ella.

She is a vegan chef, and although I’m not vegan, I enjoy a plant-filled diet while cooking at home. She’s my new go-to.

Also, after recently visiting Spain, I’m inspired to perfect a paella this summer. What about you?

Engage in a new hobby.

While the world is playing pickleball (and I will get there, too! haha), I’m leaning more toward photography this summer.

I’m also taking on some of the gardening in our yard. Usually, we outsource our pots, but I’m doing them this year! 

**I was also inspired by this book.

Redecorate your living space.

I love this one too.

Just adding a few new pillows or rearranging your coffee table can make a huge difference.

Right now, I’m in the process of redecorating my vanity area. Wish me luck.

Try listening to new music.

I usually listen to music from the ’80s and ’90s, but this summer, I’m adding French music.

Read a book that’s completely out of your genre.

I have yet to decide, but I am considering reading Elon Musk’s book. Will be a change!

Commit to new spiritual practice.

I’m very into Peter Levine, PhD right now, and I’m spending this summer doing more embodiment practices. This is a massive shift for me, and I’m looking forward to it.

Practice seeing your environment through new eyes.

Every day, for a few minutes, look around your space and see it as if you’ve never seen it before.

Look out your window and notice the tree in view. See it as if you’ve never seen it before.

Key Considerations for Experiencing Novelty:

“Embracing novelty involves being open and receptive to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives. It’s about stepping outside your comfort zone, trying new things, and cultivating a sense of curiosity and exploration,” says Joanna Poppink, MFT

Keeping an open mindset and a willingness to embrace newness is key to welcoming the gift of novelty into your life.

Wrapping Up and My Experience with Embracing Novelty:

We’re spending the summer at home in Cohasset, MA.

The idea of coming back here for the summer was dreadful to me – just two weeks ago.

We’ve been living in London, in the most stimulating, gorgeous little neighborhood of Marylebone. For various reasons, I knew moving back to Massachusetts was the right thing to do, but I was dreading the monotony of the life I perceived it to be.

On the plane ride, I started researching ways to gain a fresh perspective while returning to old familiar ground, and I decided to change things up.

So far, I’ve been very happy with my new changes.

Yesterday I went for a walk this week with a friend along the beach, and even though I live only one mile from this particular strand, I’ve never walked it before. It felt very exciting to me! I even got up and walked it this morning at 7 am.

It felt so new, and it made me appreciate my area differently.

I’ve decided to go every day when I can. This one small change is making a huge difference!

I’m also planning to tackle everything on my list above, little by little. I’ll keep you posted.

Signing off with these words from Eckhart Tolle:

“I was awakened by the chirping of a bird outside the window. I had never heard such a sound before. My eyes were still closed, and I saw the image of a precious diamond. Yes, if a diamond could make a sound, this is what it would be like. I opened my eyes. The first light of dawn was filtering through the curtains. Without any thought, I felt, I knew, that there is infinitely more to light than we realize. That soft luminosity filtering through the curtains was love itself. Tears came into my eyes. I got up and walked around the room. I recognized the room, and yet I knew that I had never truly seen it before. Everything was fresh and pristine, as if it had just come into existence. I picked up things, a pencil, an empty bottle, marveling at the beauty and aliveness of it all.

That day, I walked around the city in utter amazement at the miracle of life on earth, as if I had just been born into this world.” – Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now.

 If we could only feel this way every day… It is all miraculous when you think about it.

So, what about you? Do you have any plans to shake things up this summer? Let me know in the comments below.