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

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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?