Going in a different direction.

#1: Blog.

Everyone knows how easy it is to fall into a rut, perhaps calling it a 'routine' or 'pattern' instead, to make it sound slightly less depressing.

Generally speaking, the longer you stay in that rut, the harder it becomes to escape.  That's because the more you continue to tread the same ground, the deeper the trench gets, and the higher the walls climb.

Unless you choose to do something about it.

Inspired by various sources, including some very special friends, family, colleagues, and the outstanding book 'No Opportunity Wasted' (author Phil Keoghan is probably best known as the host of tv's 'The Amazing Race'), I'll be searching out and attempting to complete 365 firsts over the next 365 days.

I'm purposely staying away from narrowingly defining what a 'first' looks like - I'll know one when I try it.  Some of what comes to mind (just so we're clear, when I say 'new', I mean new to me): New restaurants, pubs, lounges, foods, beverages (many of which I suspect will be wines!).  New shops, galleries, museums.  New art, music, film, books.  I'm sure that some 'firsts' may seem a little more important, impressive, or interesting than others - but each will contribute to this endeavour in their own way.

Part of the fun will be staying open to 'firsts' that I had never even considered previously, perhaps that I never knew existed.  I think that the very process of being open to trying new things will be a self-reinforcing process - in other words, the more new things I try, the more I'll want to try new things.

So, why 365?  In order for this experience to really mean something, it feels like the target needs to be demanding and challenging, yet realistic and achievable.  An average of one per day feels about right.  For the most part, I'll try to attempt one new thing each and every day, although some days may include more than one, while others may include none.

I'm also hopeful that this project will serve to help inspire others, by reminding people how much beauty, how many opportunities, and how much LIFE there is all around them.

Enjoy the adventure!