For years, Amy Wild believed her tastes were fixed and unchangeable. She knew what she liked and, more importantly, what she didn't. But this mindset eventually trapped her in a draining cycle of long work hours, commuting, and little else after moving to London.
The Automatic 'No' That Led to a Rut
Surrounded by creative housemates who frequented salsa lessons and interactive theatre, Amy's instinct was always to decline. She found herself stuck in a repetitive loop of work, sleep, and eating, which left her feeling flat and unfulfilled. This monotony prompted a radical question: was her taste truly fixed, or could it be trained like a muscle?
Inspired by the idea that children need multiple exposures to accept new foods, she wondered if the same principle could apply to adults trying new social activities. She decided to start saying 'yes' to things she had previously written off.
The Unexpected Joy of Book Clubs and Baffling Theatre
Her first challenge was a book club invitation. As someone with dyslexia, reading felt like a strenuous mental workout. She attended anyway, listening to the first book on audio. To her surprise, she enjoyed the discussion, the company, and the pints. The next month, she pushed herself to read a physical book on her commute. This small change transformed her tube journeys from mindless scrolling to engaged reading.
Emboldened, she ventured into music and performance. She tried jazz clubs, spoken word nights, and even line dancing. One contemporary performance featured a full cast in morphsuits, leaving her bewildered for the first fifteen minutes. Yet, by the end, she was captivated. She discovered that trying things you expect to dislike becomes oddly addictive. The initial awkwardness of a running club faded as she showed up regularly, finding that shared activity made conversation flow naturally.
Chess, Cognitive Health, and Cross-Generational Friendship
The most profound experience came from her local library's chess club. She was easily thirty years younger than every other member, but that became part of the appeal. She played against people with decades of experience, quipping that "there's nothing quite like being wiped off the board by someone who's been playing since before your parents met."
These games opened conversations about past careers and local news, offering a connection with older generations she rarely experienced. This social expansion is backed by science; research suggests engaging curiosity in new activities can help protect against age-related cognitive decline and support long-term brain health.
The rewards multiplied as her new interests began to interconnect. Book club talks led to theatre tips, which led to art exhibitions and entirely new conversations. The true value wasn't just in the hobbies themselves, but in the non-judgmental communities she found within them.
By scheduling one new experience a week, Amy shattered the work-commute-collapse cycle. Now, she gets a buzz from stepping out of her comfort zone, simply counting to five and saying hello to the friendliest face in the room. Her diary is open for magic lessons, life drawing, or whatever unexpected adventure comes next.
