A NEED FOR NOVELTY - A NOT SO OBVIOUS BYPRODUCT OF LIVING IN A PANDEMIC

I love routine because it creates a sense of order, consistency, and normalcy. And, for the first time in my life, I’ve had enough of it! Pre-pandemic, I took for granted that my daily routines included random run-ins with different people. Some of my most energizing conversations would occur in the locker room at the local community center after my swim or gym workout. On March 13th, all of that went away, and it does not appear to be coming back anytime soon.

Do you also miss the novelty of unexpected interactions with different people throughout your day? Perhaps it was the conversation with the person behind you at Starbucks or the brief discussion about current events with a co-worker at the water cooler. It can be challenging, if not impossible, to experience these encounters during a pandemic where we are encouraged to stay physically distanced.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Little Connections:

One of my favorite experiences during COVID has been participating in Little Connections conversations hosted by Katie Elliott. These one-hour zoom calls enable me to meet people around the world and feel connected during this global pandemic. We share our concerns and strategies for keeping-it-together during difficult times. Each call is a novel, bonding experience.

Breakout Rooms:

If you are responsible for training sessions or leading meetings, use the power of breakout rooms to enable people to connect more personally. Try putting 2 or 3 individuals who do not typically work together in each breakout. Give them a topic to discuss and an opportunity to share. These breakouts are surprisingly helpful in keeping people engaged and offering the novelty of meeting new people while working from home.

Exercise:

You can also experience novelty through exercise. Try walking along a different route, embrace a new activity, or switch up your workout. These changes may seem small, yet they send a message to your brain that something is different and unique. You also have the opportunity to connect with others if you join on-line classes or create an accountability group that agrees to follow a specific course of action. For example, I started practicing yoga back in April and am part of a WhatsApp group with seven friends committed to practicing yoga daily.

BONUS

If you seek novelty outside of interactions with people, try ordering take-out from different restaurants; explore new cuisines. Thanks to Neil Danzger for this suggestion - I guess he’s getting tired of my always wanting to order from the local diner!

What are you doing to satisfy your craving for novelty?