Diets, Juice Cleanses, Resolutions, UGH.

We take ourselves way too seriously.

And we need to stop it.

We need to stop being so serious and stop doing the same old things we’ve always done. We need to find more ways to add color to our lives. More creativity and more moments of joy.

Like watching Noodle chase her own tail.

(Because I'm easily amused, lol.)

I recently read an article on the influence of emotions on creativity. (This explains a lot about the epiphany I felt I experienced when the concept for Dare to Detour just came to me.) It called out studies that have found when individuals are in unusual environments with contrasting emotions, creativity increases.

Creativity, to me, = color. It equals joy and fun.

So starting now, I’m buying myself flowers each week for the rest of the winter. (It’s a long, cold one here in Montana so adding natural color also just feels necessary!) And I’m going to start making a list of other little ways to add color to my life. Here’s what I’ve got so far… tell me if you have any more!

Pick up an instrument you played as a kid, or learn to play a new one - I want to learn how to play the guitar!
Play with your pets, like really engaging with them. When you do, their joy becomes contagious!
Walk in nature WITHOUT listening to music or a podcast. Listen to nature or the sounds of your neighborhood instead.
Learn to cook new recipes. I'm learning to make my own tortillas because tacos are my absolute favorite.
Put down the self-help books, and escape into fiction novels.
Start a game night with friends. Backgammon anyone?
Buy yourself a bouquet of flowers.

I know need color in my life.

I need flowers (flowers always help.)

And I know I also need to kick my own butt and stop taking things so seriously.