Book the Trip You Almost Didn’t. Eat the Thing You Normally Skip.
There’s a reason your best stories don’t start with “I went to the same place and ordered the same thing.” Routine might feel safe, but trying new things - especially when it comes to travel and food - actually makes you feel better, think faster, and enjoy life more.
Here’s how (and why) to break the habit.
1. Switch up your order
It sounds simple, but the fastest way to feel something new? Eat something different. Researchers have found that trying unfamiliar flavours or cuisines stimulates dopamine, the brain’s feel-good chemical. And it sticks - new sensory experiences have a stronger memory imprint than the familiar.
Action: Order the thing you usually skip. Try the place around the corner from your go-to. Ask your server what locals order and go with that. Whether it’s modern Korean in LA or rooftop cocktails in Dubai, a curious appetite takes you places. Literally.
2. Change your surroundings to reset your thinking
When you’re somewhere new, even everyday tasks feel different. That’s not just a holiday feeling - it’s cognitive refresh. Novelty increases neuroplasticity (aka your brain’s ability to adapt and grow).
Action: Stay in a different part of the city next time you travel. Walk to dinner without Google Maps. Start your trip without a plan and just follow what looks good. Even one night in a new hotel - one with a lobby bar instead of a TV - can shift how you feel about work, relationships, and what’s next.
3. Make curiosity a habit, not a holiday
Trying new things doesn’t have to be big or expensive. But it does need to be intentional. When you commit to making small disloyal moves - choosing a new café, city or route - you build a mindset that’s open to change. That’s valuable far beyond your next trip.
Action: Once a month, go to a city you’ve never stayed in before. Pick the less popular menu item. Travel midweek. Say yes to the plan you usually decline. You’ll be surprised how much you get back from saying yes to what’s unfamiliar.
One more reason to try it
If you need a nudge, there’s a growing global membership for people who feel the same. It unlocks access to 300+ design-led hotels, restaurants and bars, across 70+ cities around the world - plus perks like free daily coffee, 50% off new hotels and 10% off food and drinks bills.
Right now, you can get 15% off your first year log into your benefits hub to access your code and enter the code at checkout here
