When living in a small town or city, we tend to take our area for granted. We become accustomed to the same routines, the same routes throughout the area, and the same stores we like to visit. Over time, a sense of familiarity, even when the town changes, can cause us to view our surroundings as “less exciting” than somewhere else less familiar.
Of course, it’s not hard to see why that’s the case. However, you’d be surprised just how much fun and enjoymen can be had by making a dedicated effort towards exploring your hometown anew. With a little effort and the willingness to branch out a little, you may be surprised just how much you had taken for granted thus far.
In this post, we’ll discuss the mental health benefits of exploring your local area more thoroughly, what outcomes that may yield, and how to have a good time doing that in the first place. Without further ado, let’s get started:
Attending Local Groups
You’d be surprised just how many humble hobbyist, craft, and niche groups get together in your local town. They might have a humble Facebook page or a simple meetup host on apps designed for community, but if you look, you will find them. This might involve yoga groups, art groups, amateur dramatics, improv comedy, or even support groups for people going through hard times. It can be nice to get involved in community life by heading to these groups, or even do so for special events, like fundraisers at your local charity bookshop. The more you get involved, the more you learn, and the cooler the little niche goings-on you can take part in.
Exploring Side Streets & Hidden Areas
Exploring side streets and hidden areas is a fantastic use of your time. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to walk down any small side street with no visibility that you see, that’s not always wise. But it does mean going down some of the side commercial streets to see local vintage shops, hidden restaurants, or perhaps even bars with hidden pub gardens you can enjoy with your partner. Look out for smaller signs or check out where others seem to walk, you may find that a service is round the corner you’ve been walking past for years.
New Vistas & Views
If you hope to explore more of your city or town, getting around and exploring is key. Perhaps you’ll do so on an e-scooter or Onewheel GT to cover more ground in the most fun way possible. You may also find joy in heading to the top of buildings that may be publicly accessible, or host to certain services like rooftop gyms, to see the worth there. Seeing over the landscapes of the city can help you see it like never before, take a few great photographs, and gain a new familiarity with an area you may have taken for granted for some time.
With this advice, you’re sure to see and enjoy the very many mental health benefits of exploring your hometown anew.
