Things I Started Doing Because I Was Tired of Having Nothing to Look Forward To (And How to Make Life More Exciting)

Have you ever looked at your calendar and realized that almost everything on it is something you have to do, rather than something you actually want to do?

Work commitments, appointments, errands, household responsibilities, the never-ending to-do list. Somewhere in the middle of everyday life, it's surprisingly easy to stop making plans for the things that bring us joy.

I reached a point where I realized I wanted more things to look forward to. More experiences, more adventures, more fun sprinkled throughout the weeks and months ahead.

And I'm not just talking about big vacations or expensive experiences. I'm talking about everything from a dinner reservation at a restaurant I've been wanting to try, to a weekend day trip, a class, a walk somewhere beautiful, or a fun afternoon with friends.

I wanted to look at my calendar and feel excited about what was coming. So I started making a few intentional changes to how I plan my life.

And part of the fun is the anticipation itself. Sometimes just knowing you have something exciting coming up is almost as enjoyable as the experience itself.

8 Things I Started Doing How to Make Life More Exciting:

(Read this and take some notes so you can start doing this too!)

1. I Started Planning the Month Ahead

One of my favorite things to do before a new month begins is sit down with my calendar and plan a few things I can look forward to.

I start by looking at what's already scheduled, then I think about what I'd love to add.

Maybe it's dinner at a new restaurant, a spa day, tickets to an event, a little weekend getaway, or an afternoon exploring somewhere new.

Some months are busier than others, and I always try to be realistic about how much I want to fit in. The goal is to create a balance of things that I need to, want to do and make sure I also squeeze in some time to rest.

I also love thinking seasonally. In the autumn, that might mean visiting a pumpkin patch, going for a scenic hike, or planning a cozy dinner with friends. In the summer, it could be a beach day, an outdoor concert, or a little road trip.

My tip: Before each month begins, choose three things you'd love to do and put them on your calendar. They can be big, small, free, or something you've been saving up for.

Having those plans in place gives you something to feel excited about throughout the month.

2. I Keep a Running List of Things I Want to Do

I always seem to come across interesting places, activities, restaurants, and experiences that I'd love to try. But it's easy to forget about them when it comes time to actually make plans.

So now I keep a running list on a Google Doc. Whenever I see something interesting, I add it to the list.

It could be a restaurant recommendation, an upcoming exhibition, a nearby town I'd love to explore, a new activity, or somewhere I saw on social media. I also like to collect ideas for different seasons and occasions.

That way, when I have a free weekend or want to organize something with friends, I already have a collection of ideas to choose from.

My tip: Create a note or Google Doc called "Things to Do" and divide it into categories like restaurants, local adventures, experiences, events, travel, and free activities.

It's a simple way to turn those passing "we should do that sometime" thoughts into actual plans.

3. I Make Sure There's Always Something on the Horizon

There's something really lovely about knowing you have something coming up that you're excited about. It might be a holiday six months away, a concert next month, or dinner with friends next Friday.

I've found that I love having a combination of smaller plans in the near future and a few bigger experiences to anticipate further down the road.

And there's a reason anticipation feels so good. Research into the psychology of happiness suggests that looking forward to positive experiences can be enjoyable in its own right. In other words, the excitement doesn't have to begin when the experience starts. We can enjoy thinking about it and imagining it beforehand, too.

That's one of the reasons I love planning ahead. A weekend getaway can bring excitement when you book it, when you research what to do, when you pack, and finally when you experience it.

My tip: Try having one small thing to look forward to each week, something a little more special each month, and perhaps a bigger experience or personal goal on the horizon.

It gives everyday life a lovely sense of momentum.

4. I Stopped Saving All the Fun for Weekends

This has been such a simple but meaningful change.

I think so many of us get into the routine of treating weekdays as the time for work and responsibilities, and weekends as the time for fun. But there are five weekdays in every week. That's a lot of life!

And let's be real, weekends are often filled with responsibilities too. Between laundry, groceries, meal planning, cleaning, and everything else that needs to get done, it's easy for the whole week to become one long to-do list.

So why not make room for a little fun on any day of the week? A random Wednesday dinner reservation, a Thursday evening at the theatre, a sunset walk, or an afternoon coffee date can completely change how a week feels.

I particularly love having something planned midweek because it gives me something to look forward to and breaks up the usual routine.

And it can be incredibly simple. You could make your favourite dinner, invite someone over, watch the sunset, or visit a local park after work.

My tip: Choose one weeknight this month and plan something purely for enjoyment. It doesn't need to be elaborate or expensive. Just something you'll be excited to see on your calendar.

5. I Started Planning More Little Adventures Close to Home

I love travelling and exploring new places, but I've also realized how many interesting experiences are available close to home.

It's easy to become so familiar with our surroundings that we stop being curious about them. We return to the same restaurants, visit the same shops, walk the same routes, and spend our weekends doing the same activities.

Meanwhile, there might be beautiful trails, interesting museums, charming towns, local events, or hidden gems we haven't discovered yet.

One of my favourite ways to make life feel more exciting is to act like a tourist in my own area. I'll look for somewhere I haven't visited, a neighborhood I haven't explored, or a place that's been sitting on my list for ages.

Sometimes even a short drive and a change of scenery can make an ordinary weekend feel like a mini vacation.

My tip: Make a list of ten places within an hour or two from home that you'd love to explore. Plan to visit one each month.

You might be surprised by how much there is to discover right on your doorstep.

6. I Started Adding More New Experiences to My Life

I love routines. I love having systems, structure, and familiar things I enjoy doing regularly. But I also love the energy that comes from trying something new.

There's something exciting about learning a skill, visiting somewhere you've never been, trying a different activity, or having an experience you've never had before.

New experiences give us fresh stories to tell, new things to think about, new people to meet, and often a different perspective on what we enjoy. And I think they play an important role in making life feel rich and interesting.

I've found that even small changes can make a difference. Trying a new restaurant instead of your usual favorite. Taking a class in something you've always been curious about. Visiting a new gallery. Going to an event you wouldn't normally attend.

You never know what new interest, hobby, friendship, or favourite place you might discover.

As I write this, I'm actually planning to give pickleball a try. We'll see how it goes!

My tip: Encourage yourself to try one new experience every month.

It can be as simple as visiting somewhere new or trying a different walking route. The important part is staying curious and continuing to explore.

7. I Started Repeating the Things I Really Love

You know those experiences you enjoy so much that you wish you could do them more often? Well, why not make that happen?

I've started being more intentional about making my favorite activities a regular part of my life, rather than something I only do occasionally.

For example, I absolutely love a good spa day, so I try to plan one every quarter. It's something I really enjoy, and knowing I have another one coming up in a few months makes it even better.

Maybe for you it's a monthly dinner at your favorite restaurant, a weekly hike, a seasonal getaway, or an annual event you love attending.

I think there's something really special about having activities and traditions that become part of the rhythm of your life. Things you look forward to, enjoy, and then get to experience all over again.

And sometimes, making life more enjoyable is as simple as doing more of what you already love.

My tip: Think about three things you love doing and how often you'd ideally like to do them. Then make them a recurring part of your calendar, whether that's weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually.

8. I Stopped Waiting for Other People to Make the Plans

This might be one of the best changes I've made. If there's something I want to do, I've learned to take the initiative and organize it.

I suggest the dinner. I look up the dates. I make the reservation. I send the invitation. Because the reality is, everyone has busy lives, and sometimes we're all waiting for someone else to get things moving.

I've found that taking the initiative has helped me create more of the experiences I want to have. And it's also been a lovely way to stay connected with the people in my life.

Of course, not every plan works out. People have different schedules, responsibilities, and priorities. But I've also become more comfortable doing things independently when there's something I'd really enjoy.

A solo visit to a museum, a walk through a beautiful neighbourhood, or an afternoon exploring a new place can be just as fulfilling.

My tip: Think of something you've been wanting to do and take one step toward making it happen today. Send the message, suggest the date, or put it in your calendar.

How to Always Have Something to Look Forward To

If you're feeling inspired to create more excitement in your everyday life, here's a simple activity you can try. Take out your calendar and look at the next 30 days.

Ask yourself:

• What's one experience I'd love to have this month?

• Is there somewhere new I'd like to explore?

• Who would I love to spend more time with?

• What's something I already enjoy that I'd love to do again?

• Is there a free activity I could plan this week?

• What's one bigger experience I'd love to start planning for the future?

Now choose three things and give them a place in your calendar. As you go through the month, keep adding ideas to your running list.

Over time, you'll start building a calendar that reflects not only your responsibilities but also your interests, relationships, experiences, and the kind of life you want to create. And that's really what intentional living is all about.

Your Life Is Happening Right Now. Make It Something You Love.

One of the most meaningful life edits I've made is realizing that having things to look forward to is something I can create. Of course, some of the best moments in life happen spontaneously. And there will always be seasons when life is busier, quieter, or more challenging than others.

I love knowing that I can play an active role in creating a life filled with experiences, connections, and moments I'm excited about. I've found that the more intentional I am about planning things I enjoy, the more I notice opportunities to make everyday life feel special.

And that's the thing about designing a life you're obsessed with. It isn't just about the big milestones, dream vacations, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It's also about the little things you choose to make room for along the way.

A dinner with friends. A new adventure. A favorite tradition. A beautiful afternoon outdoors.

All those little experiences add up.

And you can start creating more of them today.

One edit at a time. ✨