‘Firsts’: The Shortcut to a More Memorable Life

As part of my annual review - a ritual I have been doing for years - I jotted down 30 ‘firsts,’ and just like that, I knew 2024 had been a banger of a year.

‘Firsts’ are exactly what they sound like: the first time you do, see, feel, meet, or try something new. Think: your first trip to a new city, your first time speaking a language, your first call with the electricity company without having a meltdown, or your first time confidently saying "no" to something you didn’t want to do. As someone whose life has been in a constant state of shuffle for two decades (five degrees, eleven countries, at least twenty apartments, four career pivots, and so much more), I’m practically the poster child for the ‘firsts’ fan club. Not every ‘first’ is a hit—but when they’re intentional and true to who you are, they’re pure gold for personal growth.

For kicks, I tallied up all my documented ‘firsts’ over the past five years and landed on a whopping 150+. Some were tiny and delightful (like sneaking off to a midday movie), others pushed me to upgrade myself (hello, self-assembled office chair), and a few earned lifetime highlight status (floating in a hot-air balloon or taking a sabbatical). Some have stuck around (remote work, anyone?), and others made for killer anecdotes (like spilling my life story to a stranger on a plane). Many were new places I’d never set foot in before, from Cádiz to Stockholm.

And here I am now, a woman built from a patchwork of those 150+ moments, events and achievements, perched on the very office chair that she, with zero demonstratable skills, built herself. (Yes, I’m still obnoxiously proud of that one.)

But here’s the thing—life has a sneaky way of losing its sparkle as we get older. The more you build a life you’re proud of, the more it can start to feel... samey. One day you wake up, and your carefully crafted existence feels worn thin. The thrill of newness fades, and everything becomes déjà vu—your partner, kids, pets, home, commute, coworkers, social circle, even your favorite Friday night pizza place. Isn’t it a twisted irony that we spend our 20s (and sometimes 30s) working so hard to create a stable life, only to feel trapped by it later?

Now, you could go full Eat Pray Love, ditching your old life to gallivant around the world in search of a new one. But that’s not necessary (and honestly, not always advisable). There’s a better way: learn to find newness right where you are. If you start looking, you might be surprised how much untapped variation and adventure your current life can actually accommodate.

Here are five reasons why seeking out ‘firsts’—and stumbling into even more along the way—might just be the most refreshing thing you do this year.

1. ‘Firsts’ Snap You Out of Autopilot

I kicked off 2025 with a bang—or rather, a shaky salsa step. I finally did something I’d been too scared to try for ages: I joined a dance class. Now, I know what you’re thinking: Really? Dance? What’s the big deal? But that’s the thing about ‘firsts’—they have a way of poking at your insecurities, making you squirm just enough to feel alive.

In my case, it was the fear of salsa-ing my way into chaos, fumbling through the steps, and unintentionally becoming a toe-crusher for my unsuspecting dance partner. And don’t even get me started on bachata—the thought of swaying closely with a total stranger? Let’s just say it didn’t exactly scream “comfort zone.”

But here’s the twist: ‘firsts’ have this uncanny ability to hijack your focus. Once you step into the newness, it consumes you entirely. You lose track of time, forget your fears, and suddenly, you’re in it—fully present, every nerve alive. That’s the flow state, my friends. And when you hit it, it’s like dancing with magic itself.

2. You Learn Faster, Become Nimbler and Tougher

Moving to a new country is often viewed as the ultimate nightmare scenario. And as someone who’s done it a dozen times, let me confirm: yes, it’s dreadful—at first. There’s the endless mountain of paperwork, the bittersweet ache of leaving people and memories behind, and the awkward dance of adjusting to your new surroundings while secretly (or not-so-secretly) comparing them to your old life. And let’s not forget the joy of language barriers, where ordering coffee feels like preparing for the UN General Assembly.

But here’s the kicker: you always adapt. Slowly but surely, you stretch, bend, and grow into this new reality, emerging as a sharper, more resilient version of yourself.

And it’s not just cross-country moves that do this. Every single ‘first’—no matter how small—fortifies you in some way. Taking a new route to work, testing a new banana bread recipe, or earning a shiny new certificate for your job? They all add something to your inner library of experiences, helping you learn faster, think on your feet, and tackle life’s curveballs with a little more flair. With each ‘first’, you become a little more agile, a little more resilient—and a lot more interesting.

3. Your Perspective Shifts

Ever found yourself stuck in a funk, only to shake it off by wandering somewhere new? Happens to me all the time. Sometimes I grab my phone, pop in some earbuds, and head out without Google Maps, letting my feet decide the route. Along the way, I’ve stumbled upon charming neighborhoods, cozy cafes, hidden bookstores, and shops I never knew existed. By the time I’m heading back home, my brain has hit refresh. Hello, newfound clarity.

That’s the beauty of ‘firsts’: they nudge you out of your head and into the present moment. I’ve said it before—some cities have been my unofficial therapists, helping me see the bigger picture simply because I visited them for the first time and let their stories unfold. Hong Kong, Copenhagen, Milan—they all showed up in tough chapters of my life, their novelty giving me fresh angles on old problems. Sometimes all it takes is a new place to unlock a new perspective.

But it doesn’t have to be a place—it can be a new hobby, a surprise for your partner, a different conversation, or even a daring attempt to cook something other than your go-to pasta. Novelty, in any form, has a way of shaking loose the mental cobwebs and opening a window to fresh possibilities.

4. ‘Firsts’ Expand Your Identity

When someone asks, “Who are you?” most people default to their job, relationship status, nationality, or hobbies. But aren’t you more than a LinkedIn headline or a census form?

Case in point: I was never a runner—or even remotely sporty, as my old classmates, who endured my tragic attempts at P.E., can confirm. Yet, when I committed to a gym in Valencia, something shifted. First, I was someone who went twice a week, then three times, then four. Suddenly, I was that person—someone who worked out regularly. And now? Brace yourself, childhood friends: I run several times a week. Yes, me—running, willingly. Am I an athlete? Not quite yet, but I’m on my way. Every step, every ‘first’, is reshaping how I see myself.

From my first shaky jog to (hopefully) my first marathon someday, I’m becoming a runner. Each new experience doesn’t just add to your life—it adds to you. It builds your identity, piece by piece, like a mosaic of everything you ever dared to try.

5. ‘Firsts’ Are a Fuel for Creativity

Finally, ‘firsts’ have a way of sparking creativity that can ripple through every corner of your life, often in ways you don’t expect. Take, for example, the time I signed up for my first interior design class. At the outset, it was just a fun way to sharpen my eye for aesthetics and explore my sense of style. But it ended up being so much more than that.

The process of learning something new reawakened my curiosity and opened creative floodgates. Suddenly, I wasn’t just arranging furniture differently; I was rethinking how I approached problem-solving at work. I found myself more attuned to the nuances in conversations, becoming a better listener, friend, and partner. The fresh perspective even spilled over into my writing, which flowed more freely, and my physical habits, as I started moving more intentionally and trying out other activities.

‘Firsts’ have a knack for lighting a spark in one area of life that quickly grows into a bonfire, illuminating new paths in others. They inspire connections between seemingly unrelated experiences, nurturing a creativity that enhances not just what you do, but how you live.

As we dive into 2025, why not make this the year of ‘firsts’? Whether it’s trying your hand at a new skill, exploring a place you’ve never been, or simply switching up your daily routine, there’s a world of newness waiting to be discovered. It doesn’t have to be grand or life-altering—a simple change in perspective can set off a ripple effect, expanding your creativity, resilience, and sense of self in ways you never imagined.

‘Firsts’ are like little sparks of electricity in an otherwise predictable grid. They’re not just experiences; they’re investments in becoming a fuller, richer version of ourselves.

So, this year, don’t settle for the well-worn paths. Wander somewhere new, say yes to something unexpected, and let yourself stumble, grow, and marvel at the surprises along the way.

By the end of 2025, you might just look back and realize that this was the year you truly came alive.

What are you doing this year for the first time ever? Share your comments below!

You can search for all destinations currently featured on mucho mundo here and consult the blog articles here.