Enrich Your Life: Say Yes to New Experiences!

I spent the last week in Australia meeting up with friends, family and friends of family and it was seriously enriching.

The term "enriching" means to improve or enhance the quality, value, or experience of something by adding elements that provide greater depth, interest, or meaning. It can refer to various aspects of life, such as personal growth, education, relationships, travel, culture, or hobbies, and the goal is usually to broaden one's perspective, knowledge, skills, or enjoyment. For example, reading enriches the mind, travel enriches the soul, and relationships can be enriching when they bring new insights, connections, or shared experiences.

It got me thinking. How many enriching experiences are you having right now? In your family? At work? My observation at the end of my tenure in Corporate was that many people were under the pump, in the pressure cooker and there was a little more UGH that Whoop vibes at play.

Designing enriching experiences can be as simple as ASKING others to join you in an activity or adventure or SAYING YES.

Designing enriching experiences often involves being open to new ideas and opportunities, saying yes to things that might be outside of your comfort zone or routine. Here are some examples of how saying yes can lead to enriching experiences:

1. Trying new food: Instead of sticking to the same meals, try saying yes to a new type of cuisine. You might discover a new favorite dish or learn more about another culture. I cooked my family this salmon pasta but added exta lemon, currants and a little white wine.
2. Attending a workshop or event: When you receive an invitation to attend a workshop or event that aligns with your interests, say yes. You may meet new people, learn new skills, and gain fresh perspectives. My Mum booked us tickets to & Juliet which was equal parts hilarious and entertaining, totally recommend.
3. Traveling to a new destination: Saying yes to a trip to a new destination can be an enriching experience. You can immerse yourself in a different culture, try new activities, and see new sights. We popped in on our friends who have a place in Scotland Island in NSW, such a magical spot and we had to go by boat to get there.
4. Saying yes to a social event: Social events are a great way to connect with others and expand your social circle. Even if you feel nervous or unsure about attending, saying yes can lead to enriching experiences and new connections. I'm always a fan of saying YES to invitations, Mum and Dad's friends had invited them for lunch and they kindly extended the invitation to me and it was SOOOO much fun.
5. Saying yes to a challenge: When presented with a challenge, saying yes can be an enriching experience. Whether it's taking on a new project at work or learning a new skill, saying yes can lead to personal growth and new opportunities. We are saying YES to a lot of challenges at the moment, from opening and operationalising www.wonderlab.community, selling the last places to www.sheevolves.community and gathering an epic community of change makers for our Antarctica Expedition - it is ALL about stretching ourselves for our communities to provide opportunities for people to experience WONDER, WELLBEING and EVOLVE.

Overall, designing enriching experiences involves being open to new experiences and opportunities and saying yes to things that push you outside of your comfort zone.

But it's not just about waiting around for others to create awesome stuff so you can be the one always saying yes; it's also about creating opportunities to ask others along for the ride. So, how are you saying yes, or alternatively, creating something to ask others to join you on an enriching experience? Let's design a life full of adventure, growth, and fulfillment!