Why Not? Simple Ways to Try New Things and Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

Austin has no shortage of things to do. We have trails, live music, constant events, and new eateries popping up every five minutes. But even in a city with this much going on, it is still easy to fall into the same routines with the same restaurants, the same hobbies, the same routes, the same mindset.

Last week, I practiced what I preach. I was invited on a press trip to Elkhart Lake. The invite described it as a charming resort village with clear water, tree-canopied hiking and biking trails, watersports, a luxury, holistic spa, and great dining. Before I even finished reading the email, I was already looking for the RSVP form.

In addition to all those lovely things, one day included a peek into the auto racing culture at Elkhart Lake. As someone who drives a Toyota Highlander, I don't have much (any) experience or knowledge about race cars. But I went in with an open mind, ready to learn and try something new.

I was surprised by how much I loved Road America… karting at 40mph (and trying to lap the other writers), maneuvering a UTV across the rugged, wooded terrain, and getting a ride around the famous Road America course in a racing Corvette.

More on Elkhart Lake to come, but... I'm so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and my speedometer zone. With my hair whipping around in the wind at 100 mph on a curvy racetrack, it was an adrenaline rush and such a fun way to see the track from a driver's perspective.

I walked out feeling alive, a little windblown, and proud of myself for saying yes.

And because I was already on a roll with trying new things, I said yes to the cold plunge. This is a big deal for someone who gets cold at anything under 82 degrees. I pumped myself up, counted to three, eased in, and felt that mix of shock and accomplishment that comes from doing something you never thought you would do.

Trying new things is one of my favorite parts of travel, but you do not have to be on a trip to get that feeling.

If you're home this week, you can still shake things up in small, meaningful ways:

• Join that intro class, whether it's two-step, salsa, improv, Spanish conversation, whatever sparks curiosity.
• Try that interesting-sounding dish on the menu.
• Explore a different neighborhood or part of town and act like a tourist (not in an obnoxious way).
• Book a local tour. Food tours, ghost tours, street art walks, history strolls… they're not just for tourists. Note: Viator has a 10% off code for experiences booked before July 3.

And if you are traveling soon, this is your reminder to build in one moment of "why not," whether it is a class, a tasting, a trail, or something you would normally talk yourself out of.

Rachel K. Belkin, M.Ed., is an Austin‑based educator, writer, travel advisor, and marketing director. She is the founder and editor‑in‑chief of Probe the Globe, a travel publication with nationally and globally syndicated content. Rachel collaborates with businesses and community organizations to produce storytelling and content that inform and connect audiences. Her work has been featured by HuffPost, Matador Network, Yahoo News, and the Associated Press, and she regularly appears on local news and speaks at industry events.