As safe as we may feel with the routine we’ve established throughout the years, it can eventually become too monotonous to handle. It can kill the joy and elation we once felt so frequently and make us feel worn out and plain sad. However, you can avoid this if you know how and when to break the monotony and spice up your life a bit. Here is what you can do today in order to feel young, carefree and euphoric again.

Routine with a twist

If you’re worried about disrupting your routine and you’re scared of doing something too intense or out of the ordinary, you can simply add some excitement to your routine. It’s clear that most people go through their weekdays in anticipation of their weekends, but if you take one of your weekday afternoons and make it a bit more interesting, you’ll have something to look forward to in the middle of your week as well. So, make a list of new things you’d like to try, pick a day and don’t stop till you go through your entire list. 

Once you do, make a new list and start over, but this time make sure your list is even more appealing and stimulating than the previous one. You can indulge your senses by tasting new and delicious meals or going to a concert of some indie band, you can spend your afternoon hiking somewhere in the countryside, or you can simply go to a part of the city you’ve never been to and take a walk. The choices are unlimited and your routine will still be there, although slightly altered so that it brings you your weekly dose of delight. 

Grab a book

If you’re desperately trying to find a way to break the routine, and escape the harsh, buzz-killing reality that surrounds you, reading is exactly the activity for you. It’s easy to do and, if you join the library, it will cost you next to nothing. A good book can teleport you to a whole new world and pull you straight into the lives of some of the coolest characters ever created. It can light up your imagination and have you daydreaming even when you aren’t reading. The best thing about reading is that you can do it literally anywhere: in your bed at home, at the bus stop while waiting for your ride to work, or at the office, during your lunch break. 

Get an adrenaline rush

Stepping out of your comfort zone occasionally, breaking the routine and reminding yourself how audacious you truly are deep down is also something you should consider. If you’ve always wondered what riding a roller coaster feels like, or if bungee jumping is truly as thrilling as they claim, why not give them a go? There’s no reason for you not to try an extreme sport or two. Not only can they give you the adrenaline rush you’re seeking, but they can also affect your mental health by boosting your mood and your self-esteem.

However, no matter how inviting it is to do things like riding your motorbike along the coastline, you should always consider your safety and make sure you get all the necessary bike accessories. With some good boots, knee guards and a helmet to keep you safe, you can even try motocross to get your blood pumping and feel wild and free on your motorbike, but without being reckless.

Speak up

How many times have you had a great idea, but you were too embarrassed to share it with your co-workers, worried that you might be dismissed and even ridiculed for it? Furthermore, how many times have you decided not to come up to somebody you liked, fearing rejection? And worst of all, how many times have you missed the opportunity to tell somebody how you feel? Telling the truth to people can be liberating, and so can offering your opinion. Speaking up more often can get people to listen to you more, respect you more and it can give you the sense of value which you might have been missing. 

Plus, who knows, maybe that cute neighbour will be more than happy to grab a cup of coffee with you if you just invite them out. And even if they don’t, it’s perfectly OK to ask. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should simply blurt out whatever pops into your mind. Being too blunt can insult some people, but if you think that something that’s been left unsaid is bothering you, find a way to say it to those who need to hear it. 

Change your scenery

Going to places you’ve never been to before is definitely something that can fill your life with rapture and awaken your inner globetrotter. Whether you prefer tropical islands, mountain retreats or bustling capitals of various countries, the sooner you start travelling, the more chance you have of visiting all the places you want to see. If you have a location-independent job, you can even take a year to travel from one place to another, turning some of the most beautiful beaches, restaurants with a view or busy city squares into your office for a day or a week at a time. Meeting new people and being exposed to different cultures and languages can broaden your horizons and make you the adventurous person you’ve always wished you could be. 

Don’t wait for your life to happen. The only way to live it to the fullest is by finding the things that make you happy and escaping the dullness of your daily routine. And if you aren’t sure what those things are, try as many as you can and see what happens.