At Glide Design, our newest way to inspire is our website- revamped, redesigned and rewritten to be more useful to our clients. In celebration of this and a new year, I wanted to help awaken new creative interests with our readers. Aren’t we all looking for new ways to enjoy life and expand our horizons?
Learn a new instrument.
One year, I decided to learn how to play guitar, and I am enthralled with trains. So on weekends, I would strap my guitar on my back and hop a train. Some of my most enjoyable memories were of riding trains with perfect strangers, sharing smiles and conversations and always finding a new adventure.
Discover a hidden love for a different music genre.
I used to listen to mostly alternative rock and contemporary music, mainly because that’s all I could find on the radio. Then I took a music class in college that challenged me to listen to Celtic music, Classical music, really, really old music (I don’t know what else to call it!), and music right through the 60’s and 70’s. That semester I discovered how much I loved instrumental music and music from the early 20th century. I am now hopelessly in love with any and all music from the 20’s to 40’s.
Find a new author.
Or just venture out and read a book in a genre you normally wouldn’t. Last year, I decided to read a book a month and I found that I was mostly choosing really amazing but emotionally draining fiction books. So this year, I am switching every other book to non-fiction. That should keep me a bit more stabilized this year!
Cook or bake something new.
I am not much of a baker. I try my best, but one of my measurements is always off and my pies come out concave. So while I will always try to work on my measuring skills, I decided to “master the art of French cooking” this year. Being that I am half French, and I am in love with cooking, this is perfect for me! I’ll admit, my first attempt at a French dish was the worst thing I had ever made, and was promptly thrown away and escorted out of the house. But my second attempt was pure heaven. I’m getting the hang of it now!
Do something (anything!) new.
Learn a new language, find a new gardening technique, train yourself to ride a mountain bike, run a 5K, take up photography, collect antiques, remodel a room (well, LIGHT remodeling… or just paint), learn outdoor survival tools, delve into a new area of art, study an artist or musician, skydive, try a zip line, climb a mountain, sew, craft, recycle, join an interest group. The possibilities are endless!
Be inspired and enjoy your life to the fullest! I hope this is your best year ever!