—
Feeling stuck in a rut is a horrible feeling.
You are up each day and feel like you’re that hamster running around the wheel with no end in mind and feeling like there’s no way to get off.
Dedicating yourself to becoming interested in the world is one way to break out of the monotony, especially if you’ve wanted to start traveling.
This is why Benjamin Franklin so famously said, “Most people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they’re 75.” Having crossed that 25 mark just a few years ago, I understand that quote now more than ever.
There are many ways to mix up your daily routine, but let’s talk about why becoming interested in the world can help you change it up.
1. Find a goal that excites you
If you want to fully embrace the world you live in, having a goal to pursue will help you stay focused and take action.
A trip to a foreign country can be a great goal to set. This will help you stay focused on all the next steps.
However, depending on where your finances are, that might be outside of your reach. Instead, you could maybe set a smaller goal like treating yourself to a new ethnic restaurant or hosting a themed party at your house where you only serve meals from one country and spend time learning about the country.
2. Learn another language
For the past few months, I’ve been learning Italian and sprucing up my French easily.
Although they may not come in handy every single day, it’s nice to be at a restaurant and be able to translate a menu for friends and family.
3. Read the international section in a major newspaper
Most of us are currently saturated with United States politics. I’m not saying you should ignore everything happening here, but there can be tremendous benefit to reading the news all around the world.
One complaint about most Americans is that we don’t know much outside of our own country. By becoming the exception to this rule, not only will you gain a new appreciation for different countries, but you’ll be able to talk to people from other parts of the world.
4. Try to cook new food
Throughout most of my life, particularly in college, I got stuck in having the same types of meals every day. Mainly ramen, plain rice, pasta, and tacos. I know, I know. It wasn’t exactly a balanced diet.
I went to a used book sale at my local library and started to thumb through the cookbooks. Although I was always aware of how many different cultures and foods there are across the world, I rarely ventured outside my usual meals. Some of these books were on sale for a quarter so I had no excuse and knew it was time to start learning.
It’s also impressive to your friends, family, and anyone you date to whip up a meal they have never tried before. Here are some ideas to help you get started on the right foot.
5. Experiment with lifestyle design
When you start to learn about other cultures, you learn all the different ways they structure their time, communities, and lifestyles.
For example, when I learned that the French love to sit down and enjoy a quality lunch, it made me re-examine my “scarf everything down and get back to work ASAP” approach to lunch.
Yes, this depends on your work schedule and your lifestyle flexibility, but there are little lessons we can take from all over the world and apply them to our own.
—
Earth, Water, Sky: YESSSSSSSS!!!! 3 Men, 3 Adventures, 3 Stories. Now on The Good Men Project
Sky High and Freefalling | Rock Climbing and the Rush of Falling | The Water Is My Home | The Hardest Part of a Triathlon: The First Step |
Earth, Water and Sky was produced in proud partnership with the United States Air Force
—
—
Photo Credit: Getty Images