VSG Intentions Series:
At VSG, we’ve always believed that what you wear is just one part of how you show up in the world.
The other part is how you live.
This series is where we share some ideas and perspectives we’ve been exploring around living more intentionally - through curiosity, growth, and the everyday choices that shape who we become.
Introducing Novelty: How to make the most of your every day
I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of novelty in life recently. As I’ve continued the grind of corporate life, moving through the usual rhythm of morning meetings and afternoon coffee catch-ups, I’ve started to notice how quickly time seems to slip by. We’re already in April, and it honestly feels like we just wrapped up January last week.
At the same time, I’m grateful. Life right now is predictable, comfortable, and safe. In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, that sense of stability is something I don’t take for granted. It feels good to know what’s coming up. It feels like I’m in control. And who doesn’t like feeling in control?
But I want to ask you something.
Have you noticed it too? The years passing quicker. The same conversations coming up more often - “Where did the time go?” Odds are you probably have, and it’s not a coincidence.
So why does time feel like it’s moving faster?
The reason is fairly simple. Our brains prioritise new experiences. When something is unfamiliar, our brain works harder. We pay more attention, we form stronger memories, and the moment gets marked in a more meaningful way. But when life becomes routine, we switch into autopilot. Fewer new memories are formed, and everything starts to blur together.
That’s why our earlier years often feel longer in hindsight. There were more firsts, more new experiences, and more moments that stood out. As we get older, those moments become fewer, and time starts to feel compressed. It probably doesn’t help that easy dopamine hits have become part of our everyday lives too.
So does that mean we’re just stuck with life feeling like it’s speeding up? That everything will gradually blur together as we get older?
Introducing Novelty: The antidote
If routine compresses time, then what expands it?
This is where novelty comes in. When we do something new, our brain becomes more engaged. We pay attention. We feel present. And when we look back on those moments, they feel richer, longer, more alive. Novelty doesn’t actually slow time down, but it changes how we experience it.
The important thing is that novelty doesn’t have to be a big, dramatic change. You don’t need to book a bungee jump or fly halfway across the world to feel it. Although, if those things are on your list, there’s no reason not to start planning.
Most of the time, introducing novelty is much simpler than that. It’s about making the everyday feel fresh again. It’s about being intentionally curious in moments you would normally overlook. Small choices can create just enough change to make life feel a little more alive.
It can be as simple as taking a different route home from work. Ordering a different flavour of bubble tea. Striking up a conversation with someone you wouldn’t normally speak to.
Some ways I’ve been trying to bring more novelty into my own life lately:
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Taking time during lunch to play basketball outdoors instead of heading straight back to work
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Changing my morning routine and reading outside instead of rolling out of bed later
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Breaking up the week by trying new restaurants with friends
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Experimenting with new outfits and colours that I wouldn’t usually wear
Everything in moderation
That said, this isn’t about constantly chasing new experiences for the sake of it.
There’s a balance to it. While novelty can make life feel fuller and more meaningful, chasing the next new thing all the time can leave you feeling just as unsatisfied, if not more. It’s easy to burn out when you’re always looking for something better or more exciting.
The goal isn’t to overhaul your life. It’s simply to add a bit more flavour to what’s already there.
For me, the key has been to approach this intentionally. Starting small. Maybe one new experience each week. Taking the time to reflect on it, even journalling how it felt and what I took away from it.
Over time, those small moments add up. They make the present feel richer, and they give you something meaningful to look back on.
Closing thoughts
Thanks for reading this and hearing me out as I work through this perspective on life.
We’re only here for a limited time. And while we can’t control how fast it passes, we can influence how we experience it.
So I’ll leave you with this.
What’s one small, novel thing you can try this week?