I’ve noticed that there are soo many small businesses, cafés, just so many places. So, I wanted to create this new challenge for my coven to participate in. See your world challenge: going out once a week and exploring the places surrounding you, me included, that I want to see and be able to experience! And, if you’re anything like me, you’re a bit of a homebody. And sometimes, you need someone, even if it’s yourself, to push you to go outside once in a while.
So, I thought that I would challenge myself and get myself out in the world, my area, and see what it has to offer that I’ve been missing! Now, you may be asking… Samantha, what made you come to this realization? Well, I remember I went walking in a local park and wanted some tacos. And well, what do you know… I passed a sign that was for a local taco place. But, they were 5 minutes from closing, so I thought of other authentic places I could go grab a bite.
I looked up restaurants near me and found this small business that was so close to me! And guess what? I’ve introduced that same place to so many people! And it all happened because I just wanted to go out for a walk. And if that happened, can you imagine what else can happen if you explore the environment around you? So, let’s figure out how to do this challenge. Shall we?
Step 1 – Make a Plan!
Well, you kind of have to figure out what you’re going to do or at least where you’re gonna go. It helps at the very least! Now, it doesn’t have to be a list that you can scroll through for the rest of eternity. You can just start with three places that you’ve been really wanting to go to, but you’ve been telling yourself that you’re busy, you don’t have the time, etc. I know for me, I would really like to try some new restaurants that have opened up. I also want to do some summer activities and be able to say that I’ve enjoyed my summer!
If you want, you can make a whole day of it and go to multiple places. However, I will advise you to be cautious about this. Make sure that you’re allowing yourself to be able to drive to the first establishment, be able to enjoy yourself without rushing, and be able to drive to the next establishment without feeling like you have to be a character in Fast and Furious 219.
If I were to set up the day to where I’d do multiple activities in one day, I would have them be each different activities. So, maybe you want to try that new park that everyone’s been raving about in your city, area, whatever. Maybe go to that place in the morning so that you don’t have to worry about the sun beaming down on you and baking you. Then, you can go to that new restaurant that you want to go to. Finally, you can do that mini golf, race car, arcade activity that you wanted to do!
Now, do all things go as planned… no! But, at the very least you can feel as if you have an itinerary (at least that’s what I like).
Step 2 – Figure Out What Days Work For You!
You have to work, you have summer school, you want just a “do nothing” or “me” day, you have errands you’ve been procrastinating, I get it! At the very least, try to find a slither of unused time in your schedule that you want to designate as your exploring the town time. When it comes to this challenge, I would just recommend doing this once a week. That way, it doesn’t become so overwhelming. I also know that, for me, it depends on the activity that I want to do. For example, if I want to try axe throwing, I might want to go when there’s multiple people there. So, just in case something happens, there are plenty of witnesses.
However, when it comes to trying a hot new restaurant, you DON’T want to go to the restaurant on the weekend. Everyone and their mama is going to go to the restaurant. And you know what that means? You have to fight to find parking, wait a long time, and depending on the restaurant, you may have limited time at that table before the shuttle you out to give that table to the next waiting guest.
In that case, you may want to go during a time where they may not be too busy. Honestly, when it comes to figuring out that, I just go to Google and see if they have their hours on there. I know for some restaurants, they’ll show you how busy that restaurant is on that day and at all hours that they are open. For me, I like to go where there’s a crowd, but there isn’t a stampede. For you, I don’t know what hours that may be, but hopefully you can achieve that!
Again, I mentioned this in the previous step, but make sure that you give yourself time for commuting if you have to! Traffic is no joke, and some people’s driving isn’t either! And if traffic is inevitable in your area, I just make a traffic playlist and keep it moving.
Step 3 – Enjoy yourself!
I know that may seem crazy that I’m putting this as a step, but it’s a step that I think can be the hardest for some people. Why? Well, because the world is continuously spinning and so are they. The whole point of this challenge is to be able to explore your area and ENJOY IT! That means that you can put the phone down for a bit and enjoy the scenery, the food, the music (if they’re playing it), just the vibes. It’s okay to not know what’s happening every second of the day.
Okay, so we’re putting the phone down. Now, we have to work on something else… allowing yourself to have this time to yourself. I know that, for me, whenever I need to sit down, I can… for a bit. Then I start thinking about all of the things that I would be able to achieve if I just get those things done now. And then that break that I was supposed to take then becomes errands or chores. But, whenever I do that, I always find ways to make them as fun and stress free as possible, but that’s a different blog post.
But, seriously, I am teaching myself to sit down and be able to stay there. And, it might sound crazy to some people, but honestly I’m glad that I am teaching myself to enjoy these little moments that I have to just sit down and enjoy my time, whether that time is me alone, me and my dog, me and family or me and my friends.
Now, how the heck am I going to do that, Samantha?! Well, I’ma be honest… It’s really simple. And you may think that it’s too simple, but that’s sort of the point. And guess what? It’s easier than you think because it’s the same lesson as your phone: allow yourself to be present in that moment. Your mind is going a thousand miles per minute, I understand. You just feel as if it’s easier to just stay running a thousand miles per minute than to slow down. But, I’m telling you… it’s so nice to allow yourself to be a tortoise in a world full of hares.
It may take some time. I mean, I don’t expect you to be able to just sit at a restaurant and be able to just enjoy your time so easily. Sometimes, it feels weird to have nothing happen, but I’m telling you that it’s such a blessing. To be able to do nothing is such a luxury. To be able to unplug and unwind is such a luxury that I want more people to appreciate. Even if it’s for a few seconds.
Step 4 – Rinse, Cycle, and Repeat!
Well, hopefully this becomes a ritual for you! Personally, I’m doing this challenge by myself. I like being able to spend time by myself and enjoy my own company. I also want to be able to expand my experiences for the summer and just in general. I mean, there’s only so much that can happen in your own home. It’s also nice to enjoy tranquility and serenity. However, you DON’T have to do this alone. You can add a plus one, plus two, plus seventeen, doesn’t matter!
I want to enjoy the little moments in life. For example, today as I am writing this, I hung out with my dad all day and was able to enjoy his company. We fooled around, made jokes, clowned each other, and just got to know each other better. Even though he got on my nerves a bit, I still enjoyed my time with him. And you know, I didn’t really want to go with him at first. It was just supposed to be a quick activity. But now, this is a memory that I’ll be able to cherish for the rest of my life. And when I was hanging out with him, I started to sing that song “Little Life” by Cordelia.
Honestly, it may seem like it’s not that deep, but to me it is. Sometimes it feels like life goes by so fast, and I want to make sure that I’m not just standing around as the world passes me. I want to experience life and not let life experience me. With that in mind, this allows me to be able to explore the world that I’m surrounded by. And hopefully, you’ll be able to explore the world that surrounds you.
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