Dear Friends -
Last week I caught myself running errands on autopilot, so deep in thought that I barely noticed the turns. It reminded me how easily our days can blur together when the scenery and the activities stay the same. Routine is comfortable, even necessary, but when every week starts to feel like the one before, we miss out on one of the simplest ways to feel more alive: doing something new.
Trying something unfamiliar doesn’t have to mean climbing Kilimanjaro or quitting your job. It could be as small as taking a new route on your morning walk, signing up for a cooking class, or striking up a conversation with a stranger. The point isn’t the scale. It’s the novelty. Neuroscience tells us that when we encounter something fresh, our brains light up in ways that boost mood, sharpen memory, and even make time feel slower and more expansive.
Big investors are buying this “unlisted” stock
When the founder who sold his last company to Zillow for $120M starts a new venture, people notice. That’s why the same VCs who backed Uber, Venmo, and eBay also invested in Pacaso.
Disrupting the real estate industry once again, Pacaso’s streamlined platform offers co-ownership of premier properties, revamping the $1.3T vacation home market.
And it works. By handing keys to 2,000+ happy homeowners, Pacaso has already made $110M+ in gross profits in their operating history.
Now, after 41% YoY gross profit growth last year alone, they recently reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.
Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.

Why Novelty Matters
Research shows that doing new things triggers dopamine release, engages reward pathways, and keeps the brain flexible. Novel experiences make us more present, broaden our thinking, and can lead to long-term psychological benefits, especially as we age. Even small changes to our environment or routine can improve mood, spark creativity, and increase resilience.

Practical Tips for Adding Novelty
Start Small
Swap your usual breakfast for something different.
Take a walking route you’ve never tried.
Listen to a new music genre.
Document the Experience
Keep a short “novelty journal” or take daily photos to make new experiences stick.
Try a Hard Skill
Learn a few phrases in a new language.
Take a pottery or woodworking class.
Use the “Novelty Rule”
Once a week, deliberately choose a new activity, large or small, to engage the brain.
Schedule Joy
Put one new experience in your calendar every week so it doesn’t get lost in “someday.”

A Week of Simple Experiments
Day | Novel Action |
---|---|
Mon | Cook a recipe from another culture |
Tue | Walk in a different park or neighborhood |
Wed | Brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand |
Thu | Listen to a podcast on a topic you know little about |
Fri | Visit a local shop you’ve never entered |
Sat | Invite someone new to coffee |
Sun | Reflect on the week in writing or photos |
Further Exploration
Podcasts
The Liz Moody Podcast: “The Novelty Rule” – Neuroscience-backed tips to make life feel fuller.
Happiness Lab: Episodes on how small changes can lift mood and improve resilience.
Books
New: Understanding Our Need for Novelty and Change – Science behind our craving for the new.
The Happiness Hypothesis – Jonathan Haidt’s look at how experiences shape well-being.
Steal Like an Artist – Creativity fueled by exploration.
The Scout Mindset – Staying curious and open to fresh experiences.

The beauty of novelty is that it’s available to all of us, every day, without a plane ticket or a big budget. By sprinkling small, intentional new experiences into your week, you not only make life more interesting, you also keep your brain engaged, your mood lifted, and your perspective fresh. This week, try adding just one thing you’ve never done before. You may be surprised by how quickly those small moments start to add up to a richer, more memorable life.
Have an excellent week full of newness!
Cara Gray
Third Act Consultant, CPRC, CEPA™️
P.S.S. If you want to start planning your third act, set up a time on my calendar for a chat: Schedule a Chat with Cara