Two-thirds of Brits wish they were braver when it comes to trying new things

24 August 2023 , 13:47

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Two-thirds of Brits wish they were braver when it comes to trying new things

Two-thirds of Brits (65%) say they wish they were more open to trying new things – but feel they don't have the time (29%) or the energy (35%), research has found.

Booking a last-minute weekend away, or heading off on a road trip, are among the top spontaneous activities Brits believe everyone should try, according to a survey of 2,000 adults.

And other spur-of-the-moment acts include extending a holiday while you are already on it, jumping on a random bus or train to see where it takes you, and staying up to see the sun rise.

And nearly a quarter of those polled (23%) believe that being more spontaneous would make them feel more joyous and fulfilled in life.

Almost half (45%) admit that a lack of cash is holding them back from saying “yes” to exciting opportunities – while 27% worry that they will try something new, but not enjoy it.

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However, 65% feel as though they need more excitement to break up their daily grind – with seven in ten saying they could be getting more out of each day.

Taking a road trip is one of the top spontaneous acts Brits feel everyone should try (Steve Cole Images/Getty Images)

And it emerged that Boomers – born between 1946 and 1964 – are the most likely age group to feel stuck in a rut, or as if their current life is too predictable and monotonous.

On the other hand, Gen Z do things to shake themselves out as a rut twice as often each year than those who are Gen X or older.

A spokesman for chewy sweets brand, Mentos Fanta, which commissioned the research, said: “Being spontaneous is liberating. Doing something new and different doesn’t have to involve skydiving out of a helicopter onto a jet-ski in a volcano.

“It can be something as simple as buying a totally different sandwich in your daily supermarket meal deal – or giving a new flavour a chance.”

The research found that only 9% of respondents currently feel they are “very much” living their best life – with Gen Z most likely to feel this way (17%).

And when it comes to wishing they had the bravery to try new things, those aged 35-44 most likely to feel this way – as a whopping 83% of this age group say they’d like to be braver.

But it emerged that 38% do want to get out of their comfort zones and experience new things, according to the OnePoll.com figures.

Mentos Fanta’s spokesman added: “Those in the middle-age ranges seem to be stuck between two poles – they’re not young and carefree anymore, but they’re not so old that they’re past wanting to experience new things.

“It seems like Gen X really need to shake things up and try something new, more than anyone else!”

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BRITS’ TOP 40 FAVOURITE SPONTANEOUS ACTS:

1. Book a last-minute weekend away
2. Go on a road-trip
3. Visit a friend you haven't seen in a while
4. Say what you really think
5. Extend a holiday while you are already on it
6. Jump on a bus or train to see where it takes you
7. Go to a free event in your local area
8. Stay up to watch the sun rise
9. Set yourself a fitness challenge
10. Strike up a conversation with a stranger
11. Get up in the night to look at the stars
12. Go to a comedy night
13. Rearrange your furniture
14. Buy a present for someone, and take it to them that day
15. Dye your hair a different colour
16. Donate to charity
17. Tell your parents/other family that you love them
18. Offer to help at a local animal shelter
19. Give blood
20. Start a business
21. Buy a pet
22. Ask someone out
23. Say yes to everything all day
24. Get a radical new hairstyle
25. Visit a psychic
26. Get a piercing/a new piercing
27. Go off-grid for a night (no social media)
28. Collect a household item going free in your local community
29. Quit a job
30. Go camping with a friend – right now, for one night only
31. Book a dance lesson
32. Call in sick to work when you're not ill
33. Check out a new neighbourhood
34. Go and support a local sports team
35. Go skinny-dipping
36. Do karaoke
37. Smash something on purpose, like a plate
38. Buy a musical instrument
39. Sign up for a new sport
40. Sign up for a foreign exchange programme

Sarah Lumley