“There is no passion to be found playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela

We are one month into the new year and now is the perfect opportunity to pause and take inventory of your hobbies, interests, and activities. What are some things you’ve always wanted to do but have talked yourself out of for some reason or another? What is something you used to do to bring joy, but have stopped? This year, permit yourself to try new things or resurrect long-ago hobbies, whether you think you’ll be good at them or not.

We also encourage you to see beyond the typical. For example, try cooking an unfamiliar cuisine during the daytime to learn and see how it goes. You can make it for others once you’ve perfected it without the stress of tying it to an event. Or, perhaps you used to work with wood and want to again. Start with something small, like a birdhouse, and work your way up to bigger projects as you become more comfortable. Another fun hobby is to search the web and learn to draw anything you want with a simple pencil and paper. Maybe add some felt-tip pens for color on your next sketch or drawing. Others in your community may already be partaking in these activities and can give advice, so ask around! You may even find a new friend in the process.

The new year often stirs thoughts of self-reflection and inspiration to try new things. Give yourself the gift of being unafraid to fail and see how far it can take you. This time next year, you may be an expert in something that looks impossible right now!