The Quest for Novelty

Well, in a few days I'll be moving this blog to a new location so that it is more tightly integrated with a new website I'm launching.  You will be able to find it at www.maineadhdcoach.com by the end of the week. Websites are funny things.  You work on one and launch it, and then six months later you look at it and want to blow it up and start all over.  At least I do. But the process got me to thinking about why I always seem to be changing things.

I think it's my ADHD that creates this need for constant re-arrangements and novelty.  I am famous for spontaneously re-arrangeing the furniture in different rooms of my house.  I just get bored with the same old thing day after day.  I switch up my routines and daily patterns fairly frequently as well.  I'll go through periods of time where I love a particular food or brand of beer, or TV show, and then just as quickly I'll drop it and move on to something else.  It's not that I don't like it anymore I just need a change.  Finding a level of consistency and routine that I can maintain has been the greatest challenge of my life.  One thing I'm deeply thankful for is that I haven't blown up my marriage or my family life.  This is the one area I've tried to be consistent and steady.  I've made mistakes of course, but nothing I could not readily make amends for.  I've found more than enough challenge, novelty, and stimulation to remain fully engaged as a Husband and a Father.  I'm sure I drive them all crazy sometimes, but that's all a part of it.  

I always worry about my clients when they see only the negative aspects of this trait.  While it can be taken to extremes and can be disruptive the quest for novelty and new experiences can also be extremely rewarding and exciting.  Living your life is all about trying new things and expanding your horizons.  It would be a sad place if we simply stopped learning or changing and stayed the same.  I've tried a lot of different things and done some different things in my life, and I'm sure I'll keep on doing that.  It doesn't have to be radical, and you don't have to turn your life upside down.  You can continue to follow routine and structure, and have new things in your life.  Here are a few thoughts:

1. Volunteer work: you meet new people, and do good things for your community!
2. Learn a new skill: take a yoga class, finally figure out how to use Excel, change your car's oil yourself.  It's a new thing that you didn't have before and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money.
3. Become a local tourist: how many places have you actually been to in your immediate area?  Check them out and see what you can find.
4. Adopt a pet: Animals can provide a wonderful new aspect to your life; just be sure that once the novelty wears off you can really commit to the care and attention they need.

It's amazingly refreshing and energizing when I try new things or have a new experience.  Just remember that the key is balance.  It's not a sign that your slipping into bad habits if you want to try new things.  Maintain your structure and routine, but find constructive ways to inject novelty into your life.  No one said life is supposed to fun, but no one said it had to be boring either.