Six months, fifty-two new things: What trying something new every week has taught me

At the start of this year, I made a resolution to myself: try something new every week. At the time, it felt ambitious, maybe a little crazy, but also exciting. Six months in, I’ve tried everything from learning a new recipe and trying wild swimming, to experimenting with new creative tools and testing out hobbies I’d never considered before. And the lessons? They’ve been bigger than I imagined.

The first thing I’ve learned is that curiosity is contagious. When I commit to trying something new, it sparks ideas in other areas of my life. A new recipe might inspire a different approach to problem-solving at work. A new exercise routine might boost my creativity later in the day. Each little experiment reminds me that growth doesn’t always come from long, structured programs - sometimes it comes from a single, small, curious step.

I’ve also learned to embrace discomfort. Not every new thing is easy or enjoyable at first. Some weeks, I’ve walked into activities completely out of my comfort zone - a new social group, an unfamiliar skill, even something as simple as trying a cuisine I’d never tasted. And yet, it’s precisely in those moments of awkwardness that I discover resilience, flexibility, and even joy.

Another surprising insight is how failure can be illuminating. Not everything works. Not every thing I’ll try again, not every recipe is a hit, and not every experiment brings immediate results. But when I reflect, I realise that the failures often teach me more than the successes. They show me where my assumptions lie, where I resist and where I might find hidden strengths.

Consistency matters. Committing to one new thing each week has created a rhythm of exploration in my life. Even when days feel hectic, knowing that a small, manageable challenge is part of my week keeps me engaged, motivated, and curious. Over time, these small moments have added up to a richer, more varied experience than I expected. And yes there are times I’ve planned 3 weeks ahead and times where i've had to track back 3 weeks.

Most importantly, this resolution has reminded me of the value of play and spontaneity. Life can easily become routine, especially with work, family, and responsibilities. Purposeful experimentation - even in tiny doses - is a way to inject energy, creativity and joy into everyday life. Six months in, I feel more alive, more engaged and more connected to my own curiosity than I did at the start of the year.

Looking forward, I don’t intend to stop. The second half of the year is a blank canvas, full of opportunities to keep learning, keep exploring, and keep surprising myself. The resolution wasn’t just about “trying new things.” It’s become a commitment to embracing possibility, welcoming growth and reminding myself that life is at its most vibrant when I allow curiosity to lead the way.

If nothing else, this experiment has taught me that small, regular acts of curiosity can transform the way you see the world - and yourself. Six months in, I feel prouder and more open than I ever expected. And I can’t wait to see what the next six months bring. Ideas welcome!