Why it matters: Our culture tells us rest doesn't count unless it's productive. But searching for novelty in comfort is the ultimate rebellion: you're saying that paying attention to your own pleasure and peace matters. That's a radical redefinition of what makes time 'well spent’.
January closed with a very satisfying thud.
I had a dozen guests come through my house, and more than 30 people come to celebrate the launch of the Novelty Experiment and my subsequent 40th birthday with me. It was a wonderful and exhausting 30 days.
In my quest to do a 100 novel things this year (Jan 8 2026 - Jan 8, 2027), I have needed to be very thoughtful about my own search, looking for opportunities to say yes to any new, interesting, or unusual thing.
Friends are texting me, sending me DMs, and outright keeping lists on my behalf. I love this for us all! My entire community is shaping with me, and I already love them for it. They’re suggesting concerts for bands I don’t know, new classes for types of art I’ve never considered, and events with authors I hadn’t heard of.
I’ve also heard from two different people about how their journey with novelty is excitedly shaping their own years.
One told me she’d already done three things! From trying a new restaurant with a new friend, to learning to play Mahjong, to an immersive magic show. People all over are finding ways to engage in novelty, just by looking for it.
Let’s go!
Novelty is so important because it shifts our focus from the fires we put out every day to the ways that we want to show up in life over time. It changes our scope from the right now, to the what could be.
This is what I’m already finding in my first 30 days.
I’ve been thinking more about the purpose novelty holds, the ways that we might be wired to want or not want to engage, the ways that it shifts time, the way that it elicits conversation and connection.
As I already look to what February is bringing, I’m excited for what I see as a continuing of conversation and community.
But how am I doing with my goal to do 100 novel things in my 40th year (roughly 2026)?
Here is my current list of novel things I was able to do in January:
Stumbled upon drag music bingo after a new ramen restaurant for dinner
A group trip to a reimagined indoor mini golf, complete with a mini course inside of a bus, a zip line hole-in-one, pool-style golfing, a life-sized Incredible Hulk, and more.
Explored a giant Asian grocery market, and made a new recipe with things we found there: Kimchi Stew
New Indian restaurant: an entire experience of serenades, eating, and tales from the town
MontiSlam: a storytelling competition
3rd Friday Durham: a local art community open house all over the downtown area
Participated in the Walk for Peace
Created a hushpuppy tour: a local adventure, tasting and comparing hush puppies to find the best ones in the city
I did also say that I was trying to read somewhere around 25 books to help with my consideration of what a life lived outside of the norm looked like. Frankly, I have yet to read any of them. But I just downloaded the first one! I’m starting with Slow Productivity, by Cal Newport.
Want to join me? Shoot me a note saying you’re going to read it too!
This is just the start to the Novelty Experiment and I think it’s pretty strong. So buckle up, who knows what’s to come.
Talk soon,
Rachel
Leadership trainer, novelty junkie, and human being
P.S. Want to explore novelty as a group? I help teams build trust for better deliverables. Shoot me a note if this sounds like something your team would benefit from.
CREW CONTENT
Have you already selected your novelty for this month? It’s Novelty in Comfort for the theme in February, looking for how you can find novel experiences as close to home as you can.
As a crew member, below we’ll explore:
Want to access to Novelty Club content? Become a Crew member today!
Join the Novelty Club!
I'm doing 100 novel experiences this year to learn what it means to be human-centric at work and at home.
Join me on the adventures by becoming part of the Novelty Club, and get behind-the-scenes information, special invitations, access to join me in 30-day challenges, and more!
Your Novel Idea for the Week
This week, text three people and ask: 'What's something cozy you've been loving lately?' Use their answers to spark your own comfort-novelty list.
Novelty in Comfort is the February theme, and it can be tricky.
In some ways, being comfortable can feel the opposite of novelty. Most people, when they hear “new, interesting, or unusual” think it has to be a big, uncomfortable moment. That’s why were specifically focusing on ‘comfort’.
Remember: comfort can be interpreted as self-care or cozy, not just “comfort zone” related.
Here’s a couple more ideas for you, but you can always revisit our ideas from last week to fully consider the different ways you can find novelty in comfort:
Try your comfort meal in a completely different setting: floor picnic, porch in the cold with blankets, breakfast for dinner.
Set a 10-minute timer and create the coziest possible environment in one small corner of your home. New candle scent, rearranged pillows, different lighting. Then, sit in it and do your favorite quiet activity.
Watch your comfort show/movie but do something novel with your hands: sketch, knit, fold origami, play with clay, etc.
What I’m Learning
Novelty requires a sort of slowing down. And I’m not good at it.
In order for me to hit 100 things this year, I need to get back to slowing down enough to make some plans. Not all of my activities are pre-planned. Like this crazy dinner I had. But I want to be really intentional, and intentionality can be aided by preparation.
February seems extra short. Maybe because it took me time to get back into routine after January, or maybe because I spent a week out of the state visiting family. Or maybe it just seems short because it is. Time is flying by, and I already see the ways that if I don’t slow down my goal for the year will get harder and harder to accomplish.
That’s why I’m grateful for comfort this month- these are things I can find, and focus on, at home. They can be small, and still fill me with a sense of something new.
Next Week
It’s already time to preview some new novelty ideas and review all the final ways I’m leaning into novelty through comfort.
Until then: look for one moment this week where you can let your typical routine see something a little different.
See you next week,
Rachel
Thanks for joining me on my search for novelty and one human-centric leaders's journey towards a more balanced life.
