10-4 Magazine / May 2026 29 Health & Happiness: By Dr. Terence P. Hannigan Creativeness, curiosity, restlessness, interest in trying new things, inquisitiveness. These are all words that could describe children at play. We see in children an interest and openness in having fun and seeking out new things. We sometimes lose touch with this rejuvenating outlook as we grow into adulthood and take on life’s responsibilities. Really, the strategy is to become responsible adults without losing sight of one of the most valuable features of our early years. That would be our ability to be open and wondrous about the world around us and the myriad of things it shows us that we should appreciate. Undoubtedly, we should be receptive to such openness and its potential impact on our loved ones, friends, and others. Certainly, if we are trying to be open to experience, this can change or puzzle those who work or live with us. Someone acting differently or having a new perspective can be unsettling for those who know us. Maybe the solution is to invite that person to join you in a novel experience, so that the quest to have different, interesting experiences is a group activity. Some examples would be as simple as joining friends for a meal in a new restaurant, going for a hike in a local state or national park, or taking a day trip to a never-visited destination. This concept of “Openness to Experience” is an idea that’s been researched in the field of psychology for decades. Famous personality theorists such as Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow were intrigued by these ideas about personality. Openness to Experience is also one of the Big Five Personality Traits that is most important when psychologists work at describing personality (the other four traits are agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and extraversion). Our daily and/or weekly routine anchors us against the unknown and the unexpected. It is comfortable – like your special spot on the sofa. However, that is only one side of the coin. Unchanging routine can also lead to boredom. We also need novelty in our lives. The new or unfamiliar things we try can be exciting and refreshing. Perhaps we see people in our lives who are in a rut and self-limiting. They struggle to try new things that bring joy and meaning to their lives. This involves thinking big, trying new things, getting in touch with our adventurous spirit, and shaking things up in a safe way, to fight off the boredom that results when there is little break in our routine. An example for us is the tradition of taking a vacation. Such an activity serves to recharge our batteries and helps us return to our work refreshed and ready to work again. Traveling to a new place and making friends with someone outside your usual circle of friends can be energizing, too. Thinking differently could lead to you going out dancing, trying some new food, or learning to play a musical instrument. When we are open to new experiences, we can consider the unusual, a unique way of looking at something, suspending judgment about why it would not work. A person who is open to experience is less likely to respond to the question about why we do something a certain way with an answer like, “Because we have always done it that way.” Edison, Marconi, and other inventors had wildly different visions about electricity and radio waves. They had to be able to imagine a world illuminated by electric light or radio waves that worked without the need for wires to transmit the human voice and music. Such ideas were fantasies before these modern technologies were invented. What ideas for openness to experience can I offer to you? It may be a hugely unique way to think about things and consider trying something you have never done or have not done in a long time. Every idea will not appeal to everyone. For example, I have been trying to find the time to visit the batting cages to practice my swing. I have not done that for a while, but it has appeal to me, but it may not be your thing. Just imagine if there were lists of new things to try? Well, such lists do exist. Here are some resources that can get you started on trying new things. Visit www.liveboldandbloom.com for some novel ideas. Pick up the book “2001 Things To Do Before You Die” by Shane Sherwood. If you like architecture, check out “1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die” by Mark Irving. If you are more interested in art and paintings, a similar book is “1001 Paintings To See Before You Die” by Steven Farthing. If music is your interest, check out “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.” There are also books in this series that focus on movies, songs, and other great books. There are numerous publications that provide interesting ideas about a person’s search for new experiences with a goal of deepening the joy in one’s life. Talking to your local librarian can also be a great way to get fresh ideas. Hoping the above will get you thinking and moving toward remodeling your life to include new and adventuresome activities. You are never too old to try new things and play! Also, feel free to reach out to me through the magazine and share your ideas about psychology topics – maybe I will write about it in a future issue. n OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE ~ Dr. Terence P. Hannigan is a licensed psychologist in New York and New Jersey. He is a semi-retired psychotherapist who works with both couples and individuals. Trained as a Counseling Psychologist, his focus is working with healthy people who want to use psychological principles to improve the quality of their lives.
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