5 Ways to Mix Things Up

My friend Todd from We The Change is a big fan of “mixing things up”. I’m the same – I have found that occasionally doing the opposite of what I am accustomed to is a great way to add excitement and diversity to everyday life. Here then are 5 ways I like to mix things up. If you are already doing these things, then try doing the opposite .

1. Leave the iPod at Home

I love my iPod, but I find that it can cut me off from the outside world. So occasionally when I go out I enjoy leaving the iPod at home so that I can experience the sounds of everyday life and leave myself open to random conversations.

2. Sleep In

Most days per week I’m up at 5am eager to start the day. But once (sometimes more) a week I don’t set the alarm and have a sleep in. Not only is this a simple pleasure, it replenishes my energy levels. For extra pleasure, sometimes when I sleep in I set my alarm to 5am so that I can have the satisfaction of turning it off (thank you Aaron for this tip).

3. Don’t Blog

Every so often you will find I “disappear” for a few days (eg last week). I love blogging, but sometimes the words become forced or I find I am only writing because I feel obligated to. That’s when I know it’s time to have a rest from writing/ blogging and recharge the batteries.

4. Exercise Outside

Most of the exercise I do is indoors at my local gym. At least once a week, though, I ditch the gym and exercise outdoors. Running is my usual exercise of choice, but the potential ways to exercise outdoors is limited only by your own imagination. Some quick ideas include: cycling, yoga, walking, jump rope, skiiing, outdoor swimming, and outdoor tennis.

5. Go on a “News Blackout”

Whilst I don’t spend too much time listening to/ reading the news (it can get fairly depressing!), I still try to be an informed citizen by checking the news headlines most days and following stories of particular interest. That said, every so often I go on a “news blackout” where I tune out from the news for a few days. After such a blackout, I find that the earth has kept spinning on its axis and I feel mentally refreshed.

This entry was posted on November 5, 2007 and is filed under: Happiness, Life, Personal Growth, Wellbeing - 21 Comments »

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21 Comments

Todd
November 5th, 2007 at 3:41 pm

Peter– first, thanks for the link love!
Second, you are right, I am a BIG fan of mixing things up and this article has shed some new light on the concept for me…I am going to TRY and leave the ipod at home. Don’t know if I can survive without it, but am going to TRY

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Aaron Simmons
November 5th, 2007 at 5:27 pm

I love the “news blackout” tip. I’ve done that many times, and even when I’m keeping up with the news I just browse the headlines (and never watch TV news). This works out great. One of the problems with the news is that so many of the stories are sad and depressing, but what really makes it tough to handle is that many of the most awful and disturbing stories are well beyond my circle of influence. In essence, I’m learning about awful things in the world that I have no power to make better. That’s a recipe for frustration! By just reading headlines I know as much as I really need to about what’s happening in the world, but get to stay focused on what’s happening in “my” world.

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Peter
November 5th, 2007 at 6:08 pm

Thanks for the comment Aaron. It sounds like we take the exact same approach to the news.

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Rudy
November 5th, 2007 at 6:14 pm

I’ve been on a news blackout for years. The way I look at it, if the news is important enough, it’ll get to me some how and in some way. Either by word of mouth, or something across in friend’s and family’s emails.

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Dan
November 5th, 2007 at 7:29 pm

This is a great post! I spend so much time thinking/reading about how I can be more productive and find consistency, yet variety is the spice of life. A little vacation from the norm every once in awhile isn’t just fun but healthy. Thanks for the tips.

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Goal Setting College
November 6th, 2007 at 1:11 am

Peter, My favourite is #5. So, next time my friends complain that I’m like a hermit (i.e. not knowing what’s the earth revolving about), I’ll refer them to your article… Ha Ha.

Cheers,
Ellesse

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Colin
November 6th, 2007 at 7:45 am

Along the same lines as the iPod tip, I find myself leaving my blackberry at home on many occasions, usually a weekend day. I have an old cell phone in my car for emergencies, so I know I won’t be without in the event of something terrible. The constant calls and e-mails, as well as the web browsing and other little toys on it, keep me from taking in my surroundings and enjoying what the world has to offer.

As for the rest of the tips, I’ll be sure to start on those to help clear my mind. Just so I don’t forget, I’ll make a note of them in my blackb… damn it!

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Andrew
November 6th, 2007 at 9:28 am

You set your alarm so that you can turn it off? Really, you need to re-think that one. It just shows how programmed you have become. I agree with the iPod one, and definitely the news blackout though. There are free papers on the trains here in London, but they are full of the kind of sensationalist, fear-laden fluff that we are being told to think in order to keep us all in line. I already know that politicians, bankers and generals are misguided and weak, the news is just the repercussions of that.

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Tina Su
November 6th, 2007 at 9:39 am

Great Post! Thanks for inspiring me. I really enjoy the content of your blog.

Love & Gratitude,
Tina
Think Simple. Be Decisive.
~ Productivity, Motivation & Happiness

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Reza
November 6th, 2007 at 1:00 pm

I felt actually sad after reading all of these “tips”.. these should be normal things you do every day. If you can’t leave your ipod at home or if you feel obliged to blog.. that’s just freaking sad…

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Peter
November 6th, 2007 at 3:04 pm

Colin: it is definitely a nice feeling to “unplug”. I often do the same on the weekend – turn off the cell, turn off the computer, turn off the TV.

Tina: thanks

Reza: well I don’t know how to reply to that.

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tim maguire
November 7th, 2007 at 10:30 pm

I’m glad that so many of these posts are related to the news blackout, because I think that’s the most important one. The news is by far the most pointless source of stress and anxiety in our lives.

Every few years I do a blackout for 6 weeks. Total, no papers, no online news, no TV, no nothing. It can be tough because news comes at you from unexpected places. It’s important (and, in my opinion, a few days or just the headlines is not nearly enough to get the full benefits) to remind ourselves just how utterly unimportant it is to stay informed.

Most of the news is depressing, we are powerless to change it, and it virtually never affects us directly.

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Brad Baggett
November 8th, 2007 at 3:11 am

Great article Peter. I have all but given up television as a whole because of all the negativity. The news is definitely a “downer” most of the time. It is a shame that television and mass media are not more positive. Your blog is a breath of fresh air each day! Keep up the great post.

http://www.JuiceofChampions.com

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Jenny
November 11th, 2007 at 3:21 am

Great suggestions particularly outdoor exercise, not continuing to blog if you’ve hit a wall in creativity and the news blockout. In addition I absolutely loved the photo you used here!

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Nadege
November 12th, 2007 at 11:14 am

I completely agree with the news blackout. My anxiety levels have decrease tremendously since reducing the amount of news I am exposed to. The best part about it, I do not feel alienated in any way because I do not have a moment to moment update on violent crime in my city.

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janette
February 15th, 2008 at 4:01 am

The news black-out is a GREAT thing. After 9-11 I stopped watching television for a long time because it was too depressing. Not only did it help my mood, but it also helped with college and having a LOT more time to live my life.
I watch TV from time to time and own some movies, but I don’t even have a television in my home anymore. TV is a treat for when I go to the gym or visit someone else’s house. You wouldn’t believe what you can accomplish when you have such an easy distraction out of the way.

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farouk
December 11th, 2008 at 3:15 am

nice article:) as for point number 5 its strongly advised for stock market investors who have lost considerable amounts of money in stocks, everyday they watch the news and get depressed while if they waited their stocks will go up without having to listen to bad news:)

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Sheila
March 1st, 2010 at 4:46 am

Yes, it’s great to mix things up. You can get a different viewpoint on life, which might change your course a bit. Thanks you have inspired me.

Here are my ideas:

Walk or drive a different way to work. Or even walk when you normally drive if that is possible.

Eat something different for breakfast. If you always have cereals, then have toast and boiled eggs or a bacon butty. If you don’t eat breakfast then mix it up by eating one for a change, it won’t kill you.

Sit in a different chair. I’m thinking at home, not work. If you always sit in the same chair for meals and relaxing, try a different one. if you’ve only got one chair then move it to a different part of the room. You’ll get a different viewpoint on your home!

Make a packed lunch for work. Or if you always take a packed lunch, eat out instead.

When you get home from work dress up or dress down, whichever is the opposite of normal.

best wishes

Sheila

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