If you鈥檙e like most of us, you spend all week in a familiar rhythm (work, gym, dinner, The Tonight Show, sleep, repeat). That鈥檚 fine, but you also need to shake things up, and there are tons of benefits to trying new things, from sparking creativity to getting to know yourself better. Next Sunday, sign up for a lesson, explore an unknown forest, sleep in a strange place… Here are five suggestions for making your next Sunday brand-new.聽
Take a Lesson
Do you know how to roll a kayak? Or set up a top-rope anchor? Life would be so much cooler if you did, so make Sundays all about learning a new skill. Local outdoor clubs and gear stores often organize lessons for their members so they can learn from experts, with many offering聽classes and clinics nearly every weekend on everything from how to repair your mountain bike to how to recognize edible plants.聽
Sleep in a Strange Space
If you like to camp, chances are you鈥檝e fallen into a rut, visiting the same few state parks or favorite campsites all the time. Enter , which is like Airbnb for campsites, allowing campers to find sites on privately owned land. Search by your hometown or state, and you鈥檙e virtually guaranteed to find a new place to set up your tent.聽
Explore New Trails
Pull out the map of your nearest local national or state forest. Look for the corner that you鈥檝e never explored before鈥攁nd head that way for a hike or bike ride. Or聽look for the gray lines that represent聽the often overlooked gravel and dirt roads, many of which see little traffic are perfect for exploring in your . To find roads聽you can legally ride, check your local government website聽for OHV laws and regulations or head over to聽, which has tons of resources like basic off-road driver courses and tips for minimizing聽your impact.聽And, of course, before you head out, remember to wear protective gear and review聽safety guidelines.
Take a Leap
Everyone has limits. Maybe yours is looking over the railing from the second story of your local mall, or maybe it鈥檚 skydiving. Find your limit and push it just a little bit further. And we say one of the best ways to test your mettle is with a simple cliff jump. Find a swimming hole near you with plenty of depth and a rocky ledge you can jump from ( is an exhaustive database of locations across the country). And if you chicken out, no worries: at least you鈥檙e spending the afternoon outside in a beautiful spot.聽
Train for a Race鈥攊n a New Sport聽
Big runner? Take up cycling. Longtime mountain biker? Sign up for an open-water swim. Pick a race in a sport you have limited experience in and spend your Sundays getting better at it. Gather the right gear, consult a coach, and give yourself enough time to improve (pick a race that鈥檚 at least a few months out). It鈥檚 not about winning or even racing well. It鈥檚 about learning a skill and challenging yourself in a completely new way.聽
America鈥檚 a big and varied country, with tons of off-road trails. One of the most fun and family-friendly ways to explore is in a side-by-side. Which one is right for your family or preferred terrain will depend on a lot of factors, which is why Honda鈥檚 Talon 1000 family of sport side-by-sides includes both two- and four-seat models. To learn more, and find a demo ride or event near you,聽.