Try New Things Together
Forty easy tips to try new things together, so your love keeps growing and laughing.
New adventures, new bonds. Try together.
40 tips that really help
These ideas come from The 5 Love Languages (Gary Chapman), Eight Dates (John and Julie Gottman), Hold Me Tight (Sue Johnson), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.
Novelty fuels love
New experiences release feel-good chemicals and create shared memories. They keep couples feeling excited.
Try one.
Make a list of ideas
Write ten things you both would like to try, such as a class, a new trail or a new food. A list makes planning easy.
List ten.
Pick small first steps
Start with simple things, such as a new cafe. Big adventures can come later.
Start small.
Take turns choosing
Each person picks in turn. Variety shows respect for both.
Take turns.
Try something slightly scary together
Climbing wall, dancing class or a new language can be fun. Shared nerves bond.
Try a bit scary.
Learn something together
A cooking, painting or language class builds teamwork and talk.
Sign up.
Travel nearby
A day trip to a new town is easy. Explore like tourists in your own area.
Plan a day trip.
Laugh at mistakes
When something goes wrong, laugh instead of blame. Shared laughter builds love.
Laugh.
Take photos and notes
Record your adventures so you can look back. Memories feed gratitude.
Snap one.
Share what you learned about each other
After each try, say what surprised you. New discoveries keep love fresh.
Share one.
Keep a bucket list
Write goals for the year, such as five new places. A list keeps you moving.
Write five.
Example: the dance class
Sara and Jim joined a beginner dance class. They stepped on each other’s toes and laughed all night.
Try a class.
Example: the new trail
Every month, Hana and Bo try a new walking trail. They say it renews their spirit.
Pick a trail.
Example: the cooking night
They picked a new country each month and cooked its food. Their kitchen became a joy.
Cook new food.
Script: inviting
Shall we try something new this weekend? Say it brightly.
Use it.
Script: choosing
You pick this month, I will pick next month. Say it warmly.
Use it.
Script: laughing
That was a disaster, and I loved it with you. Say it lightly.
Use it.
Script: thanking
Thank you for trying new things with me. Say it sincerely.
Use it.
Mistake: forcing your partner into something they hate
Choose activities both can enjoy, so respect limits.
Ask first.
Mistake: treating new activities as tests
Keep it playful, so no one has to be perfect.
Stay playful.
Mistake: skipping adventures when busy
Even short ones count, so go small.
Do a mini.
Troubleshoot: when your partner resists change
Start with tiny steps and ask what they would enjoy. Gentle changes help.
Start tiny.
Troubleshoot: when it costs too much
Look for free events, hikes and library classes. Many are free.
Search free.
Troubleshoot: when you disagree on activities
Alternate, or mix elements, such as hiking with a cafe stop. Creativity helps.
Blend ideas.
Drill: write a couple bucket list
Write ten shared goals and tick them as you go.
Write ten.
Book idea: self-expansion
Psychologist Arthur Aron found that couples who try new and exciting activities together feel more in love and more satisfied than those who stick to routine.
Plan something new.
Book idea: the boredom antidote
Relationship researchers note that shared novelty can lift love for long-term couples as much as the early days did.
Try a first-time activity.
Myth: new things are only for the young
People of any age gain energy and closeness from fresh shared experiences, and age is no barrier.
Try one this month.
Myth: routine is the enemy of love
Routine gives safety and fun gives sparkle, so a healthy mix of both is the secret.
Add one new thing to your routine.
Story: Hannah and Piers try pottery
Hannah and Piers took a clumsy pottery class, laughed until they cried and still use the bowl they made.
Book a class.
Story: Samir and Dee explore a new trail
Samir and Dee picked a new walking route every Sunday, and each trip became a story they shared.
Try a new route.
Journal: what have we always said we would try together?
Dreams you postponed are perfect starting points for your next adventure.
Write five ideas.
Journal: which new things would feel safe and exciting to me?
Balancing safety and thrill helps you choose activities you can both enjoy.
Write three.
Challenge: try one new activity every month for a year
A calendar of firsts keeps love fresh and gives you memories to share.
Pick the first one.
Challenge: swap choices, each picks a surprise for the other
Taking turns to surprise each other keeps things playful and fair.
Agree on the budget.
Green flag: both of you suggest ideas and say yes to each other’s
Shared willingness shows a healthy spirit of adventure.
Say thank you.
Red flag: one person always vetoes new ideas
If all ideas are rejected, talk kindly about fears and look for smaller steps.
Try a mini version.
Say this: let us try something neither of us has done before
A simple invitation that turns an evening into an adventure.
Use it.
Quick win: cook a recipe you have never made together
A shared kitchen experiment is fun, cheap and quick.
Choose a recipe.
Fun fact: new experiences release dopamine
Neuroscientists link novelty with a feel-good chemical that can strengthen bonding.
Share it.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many love and relationship moments.
“Shall we try something new?”
“You pick this time.”
“That was funny.”
“We learned something.”
“Thank you for trying with me.”
“Let us do it again.”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
List ten ideas
Pick one
Plan a date
Try it
Laugh at mistakes
Share what you learned
Plan the next
Further reading
- The 5 Love Languages (Gary Chapman)
- Eight Dates (John and Julie Gottman)
- Hold Me Tight (Sue Johnson)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
More lessons in “Showing Love Every Day”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Surprise Them With Small GiftsNext: Laugh Together Every Day →
- Find Your Own Love Language
- Find Your Partner’s Love Language
- Words of Praise That Mean Something
- Quality Time That Counts
- Say Good Morning and Good Night Warmly
- Send a Sweet Message in the Day
- Hug for Twenty Seconds
- Say Thank You for Small Things
- Plan Regular Date Nights
- Surprise Them With Small Gifts
- Try New Things Together
- Laugh Together Every Day
- Support Them When They Are Stressed
- Celebrate Their Wins
- Be Kind When You Are Tired
- Help Without Being Asked
- Share Dreams and Goals
- Create Your Own Traditions
- Say I Love You in New Ways
- Make a Love Plan for the Year
