What's something new you want to try this year?

With the start of the school year, it can be a fun time to think about trying something new OR dusting off a once loved pastime and getting reacquainted. This question can be a fun conversation starter among friends, family or colleagues. While a few of us have some new things we want to try, Rebecca and Ashley bring up a fantastic perspective. As Rebecca put it, "I feel so scattered these days; I could use the opportunity to feel accomplished at something I already know brings me joy." While sometimes the pull towards something new strikes, sometimes the comfort of going back to a former joy is stronger. Read on to see all the new and comfortable things on our lists this year.

Jen, Bespoke Travel Planner from @GlobalOnDemandTravel

I’m starting to think seriously about hosting a group trip, and this year I want to begin putting an overall plan in place with the hope of making it happen in 2027 or 2028. Beyond that, I find the idea of “trying something new” a little difficult to define. As a business owner, I’m always thinking about growth, new ideas, and what’s next. Challenges arise, opportunities change, and the vision continues to evolve. So while there are always new things ahead, it feels less like checking something new off a list and more like an ongoing continuum of growing, adapting, and figuring out what comes next.

Rebecca, Woman's Leadership Coach from @PleasantlyAggressive

I wanted to come up with something really interesting for this blog post, but the truth is, I simply want to invest in something I’ve been neglecting and enjoy, primarily sewing.

I don’t want to learn a new sport, language, craft, or even a new recipe right now! I think I’d like to master the things I already enjoy. Maybe get a new sewing machine, watch sewing videos on new techniques, or spend some time planning handmade gifts for the holiday season.

I feel so scattered these days; I could use the opportunity to feel accomplished at something I already know brings me joy. I’ve been sewing since I was a kid, and I love it, yet I don’t make enough time for it. It’s a solitary hobby that can be time-consuming, so maybe this is a reminder to start with a small project and rebuild my relationship with it.

Ashley, Millennial Mom Nutrition Coach from @AshleyBreaksTheCycle

Honestly, “try something new” kind of stresses me out. I like my routine, I like knowing what to expect, and anything that has the potential to mess with my sleep or my sanity gets a hard pass from me. So no, I will not be skydiving or joining a recreational sports league anytime soon!

But there are two things quietly nagging at me that I’d actually love to revisit.

Piano. We have one sitting in a room doing absolutely nothing. My daughter took lessons for a while and quit, and now it just exists as random piece of furniture. I played as a kid and I genuinely loved it. I know myself well enough to know I’d need regular private lessons to actually stick with it left to my own devices I’d find every excuse not to practice 😬

I minored in Spanish in college and spent six months studying abroad in Spain, which was one of the best experiences of my life! And no, it's totally gone. I’d need a real classroom setting to get it back. Rosetta Stone and I would not work out, I already know this about myself!

Ali, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

This year, I am really trying to embrace all the things I teach my kids: you are never too old to try something new, and you don’t have to be good at something to enjoy learning it. They watched me learn pickleball a couple of years ago, and I found so much joy in seeing them ask me about what I had learned and how I was getting better.

I’ve also loved watching my kids learn golf over the past few years, and it has made me want to give it a try myself. So this year, I’m hoping to get out on the course, learn the basics, laugh at all the shots that definitely don’t go where I want them to, and hopefully have some fun along the way. Who knows—maybe my kids will end up teaching me a thing or two!

Kim, Interior Designer from @Reverie.and.Root & Founder of Spilling Goodness

There are so many new things I'd love to try this year. Mahjong, French, antique shopping in Round Top, using a digital drawing program to share design ideas in a better way- my list goes on and on!

Here are a few at the tippy top:

First up, I'm taking a class to learn a digital drawing program to bring to life design ideas. While I took CAD in design school almost 9 years ago, I'm taking a class to learn Sketchup and how to prepare and share design ideas more effecitvely. While I can draw a pretty basic 2D floor plan now, what's possible is pretty exciting. Feels so good to be a student again!

And, shopping Round Top! This has been on my "someday" list for years! Ok, the Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas is massive event - think 20 miles of shopping, vendors from all over the world and vintage finds for days. With the scale of this event, I'm going on a guided trip - with a designer who knows all the in's and out's. We're even having a dinner with her favorite dealers. I can hardly contain myself!

As for French - I might try Rossetta Stone? I can't get into Duolingo. And, mahjong - who wants to learn with me?!

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What's something new you want to try this year?