New Things Challenge Update #16–20

May 05, 2025

The mission of this challenge has been multifaceted. Initially, it was to help me bust out of the tunnel vision I was struggling with in my music—to creatively shake up my focus and refill the inspiration tank. And although it’s been helping with that a lot, it’s also just helping me grow as a human and laugh at myself a little more.

I used to resist trying new things, partly because I just didn’t take the time. And honestly, partly because I don’t like how it feels to be new at something—to feel like I’m “failing” because I’m not excellent at it right out of the gate. That’s so limiting… to put that pressure on ourselves and vacuum the joy right out of it. I’m hardwired to strive for perfection, and this challenge is helping me find a little freedom from that. To let the joy of the process override the importance of the result. That’s not something that shifts in a person overnight, but I do feel the freedom growing the more I practice with this list.

#16 – Spontaneous Skiing (…and skipping work—gasp!)

I was booked on a Songwriter’s show at Sundance Resort a little while ago, and I had the best time escaping to the mountains and putting some good fuel in the creative tank in all that wide-open space. I was with two other co-writer friends who I adore, and we’d planned to write songs during the day before the evening shows.

But on the first morning, we had breakfast together and sat at the restaurant looking out the window at the ski hill. My friend Gordie—who I’ve written probably close to 75 songs with, including Jersey on the Wall and The Last Time—turned to me and said, “What are we doing? We can write songs any day, and this mountain is calling us right now.”

My immediate thought was, I should be spending this time working. Second thought: I’m more of a hot chocolate chalet drinker than a skier. Third thought: It really does look beautiful and fun out there.

The incredible hosts at Sundance quickly arranged some passes for us, and we changed our plans entirely. I doubled up yoga pants and airplane jeans and prayed that somehow that might soften the landing for when I was sure to land on my ass trying to get the sticks down the hill. We suited up with rental gear and gloves from the gift shop and headed for the bunny hill.

I hadn’t been skiing since my eighth-grade ski trip many moons ago, and I was quite sure I’d last an hour and stick to the magic carpet lift. However, after one trip down the bunny hill next to all the adorable four-year-olds learning to ski, something shocking occurred: I was loving it.

Completely surprised by how fast it came back to me, I was overwhelmed with how awesome it felt to be outside in the sunshine skiing.

We quickly graduated to the main lift for the green runs, and I had the best day—skiing for almost eight hours. My cheeks were sore from smiling so much. The rest of me was also incredibly sore. It hurt just walking up the stairs to the stage that night. But God, I had fun. I was really thankful Gordie suggested switching up our plans and embracing what was right in front of us. I wouldn’t have done that for myself, and I would’ve missed the opportunity to fuel my creativity in a healthy way. I was clumsy the entire time and snowplowed through most of the day (hence barely being able to move afterwards), but I am proud to report I survived a few close calls and didn’t fall on my ass once.

#17 – Candle Making

Not only did I get to ski at Sundance, but they also had this beautiful art studio offering different classes during the trip. I loved making a few candles to take home. This is something I could probably do with a few supplies at home, and the process was pretty straightforward. I liked picking out the different essential oil combos I wanted, and the vases were made next door at the glass-blowing studio using recycled materials, which was pretty cool.

I also forced myself to actually enjoy the candles and let them burn at home. Usually, I tell myself to save them for guests or special occasions, but I told myself to use these—and I’ve proudly lit a couple of them at my dinner table just treating myself. My favorite scent was Orange Grove combined with Sandalwood… it felt like a cozy cabin fire and a creamsicle all in one.

#18 – Pilates

I don’t have a proper photo of this experience, so below is a picture of Sam giving an expression that, to me, captures our eyebrow-raising feelings about this Pilates class. It was the kind with the machine that slides on a track—I think it’s called a reformer.

Before starting, the instructor mentioned we could choose different levels of resistance based on how tight the carriage (such a sweet Cinderella-sounding word for something so brutal) would move. I selected the medium level, feeling pretty confident. The first move, just to warm up, was some kind of earthworm full-body extension sloooow roll-out.

I got 30 seconds in, with my abs immediately shaking, and switched it to the green easy band. Within 90 seconds, I took the bands off altogether—it was so hard. I applaud anyone with a core strong enough to handle that thing. Everyone else in this class was, honest to God, a Hercules to me. I almost left five minutes in because I couldn’t believe how difficult it was. But I hate quitting just a little more than I hate not being great at something, so I pushed through.

I barely moved for a week after that. It hurt to laugh. I might give floor Pilates another shot down the road, but I’ve got serious work to do before I try one of these reformer things again.

#19 – Sourdough Class

This one makes me laugh because I attended a bacon-seasoned sourdough bread class as a gluten-free person with two vegetarian friends. If that doesn’t tell you everything about our people-pleasing tendencies, I don’t know what will.

I was enamored by the process of making the bread, though, and I did cheat at the end and let myself taste just a little piece—and it was amazing. The instructor told us about the starter named Fred, and I couldn’t get over that this little piece of a recipe is always left behind as a living and breathing thing that has to be kept alive in your fridge and occasionally fed.

I didn’t realize the commitment I was making attending this class, ha—but I now have a whole new respect for sourdough and anyone who is dedicated to caring for a starter and baking fresh bread regularly. If it had been gluten-free, I might have put in a little more effort. But I am sad to report that my little piece of Fred was forgotten at the back of my fridge for too long and is no longer with us. RIP.

#20 – Bingo

This isn’t entirely a new thing, because I remember playing it in elementary school. But it was my first time playing as an adult at a vibey bar in Nashville—and I had a great time. The satisfaction of using the dabbers is real. My friend Laura won one of the linear card rounds, and our whole table was so pumped. It’s so fun to win. She leapt into the air and claimed her prize of highly fashionable, cheap sunglasses, and we all felt the glow of victory.

I definitely get the appeal and would go out to play Bingo anytime.

If you have any ideas to add to my list of new things to try in this challenge, I’m all ears! Thanks for coming along on this journey with me and reading about my shenanigans.

From one wandering soul to another, I hope you know you’re loved as you are.

<3 T