Why New Experiences are So Important to Have

Trying New Things:  Why New Experiences are So Important to Have


Playing it safe can be comfortable, but breaking free from routine can be exhilarating. It’s as simple as putting yourself out there to try a new experience, adopt a new way of thinking or challenging your beliefs. Growth—psychological, emotional and spiritual—can happen at any age once you overcome your fear of the unknown, which is not always easy.  


 “Unfamiliarity often rings the alarm bell “danger—potentially unsafe.” But if you think about it, most of the things we fear don’t actually come to pass,” says Alex Lickerman, MD, and author of the blog, “Happiness in this World: Reflections of a Buddhist physician.” “What’s more, we’re often unable to anticipate the good things that do occur as a result of trying something new.”


 Trying new things can ignite passion—make you feel more alive, happy and self-fulfilled, which are all good. Pathway Senior Living gives residents a variety of opportunities to challenge themselves and go beyond their comfort zones to have new life experiences. Pathway seniors can:



  • fish, hike, cook outdoors and sleep in a cabin with Camp VIVA!

  • ride horses, motorcycles and hot air balloons

  • attend The Lyric Opera and Chicago sporting events

  • explore their creativity through ArtPath

  • enjoy the benefits of pet ownership through See Spot Retire

  • stimulate their minds through the Lifelong Learning Center

 “I find the spirit to try new things synonymous with the spirit of self-improvement,” said Karen Leimberer, Pathway’s Director of Life Enrichment. “Older adults can gain many wonderful benefits from pursuing new experiences and reliving old ones. We’re delighted to be able to facilitate these experiences for our residents.”


 What if you’re still hesitant to go out on a limb and try something new? Dr. Lickerman shares these four points to consider when faced with trying something new. 



  1. Trying something new often requires courage. Needing to summon courage is itself a benefit. Once it’s released it will, it will engulf everything in its path. How wonderful to open a flood of courage and be carried on its waves to destinations of unexpected benefit.

  2. Trying something new opens up the possibility for you to enjoy something new. Entire life paths are carved out by people dipping their baby toes into small ponds and suddenly discovering a love for something they had no idea would capture their imaginations.

  3. Trying something new keeps you from becoming bored. The most routine-loving people can become bored if not continually challenged.

  4. Trying something new forces you to grow. We don’t ever grow from taking action we’ve always taken. Growth seems to require that we take new action first, whether it’s adopting a new attitude or a new way of thinking, or literally taking new action. Thrusting yourself into new situations and leaving yourself there alone, so to speak, often forces beneficial change. A spirit of constant self-challenge keeps you humble and open to new ideas that very well may be better than the ones you currently hold dear.

 To learn more about Pathway Senior Living and our award winning VIVA! program, find us at www.PathwaySL.com or call 888-342-4111.

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