You already know that summer and extracurricular activities are a great way to explore your interests, challenge yourself, and maybe even strengthen your college application along the way. But where do you start?

Below, you’ll find a huge menu of ideas, all organized by values—so you can choose experiences that truly align with what matters most to you.

Download a Printable Version of the Values List

CEG’S Epic List of Summer and extracurricular Ideas

…Organized by Values

That’s right. Below you’ll find 5 summer ideas listed for every single value. And yes, we’ve taken into account the “admission nutrients.”

Personal Development

Spend a Week Doing the Opposite of Your Usual Habits: Notice patterns in your routine—where you sit, how you respond to challenges, what media you consume—and flip them. If you’re usually quiet in class, speak up. If you always listen to pop music, try classical or jazz. Reflect on what shifts in perspective you gain.
Live Like a Character from a Book or Movie for a Day: Choose a fictional or historical figure and embody their habits, speech, or thought process for 24 hours. How does this change how you approach the world?
Create a “Life User Manual” for Yourself: Write a short guide explaining how you work best—your energy cycles, what motivates you, what stresses you out, and how to get back on track when you’re overwhelmed. Share it with a close friend or keep it for self-reflection.
Learn to Do Something You’ve Always Assumed You Weren’t “That Kind of Person” For: Pick an activity outside your identity—if you don’t consider yourself artistic, try drawing. If you think you’re bad at math, explore an interactive logic puzzle. Break your own narrative about what’s “not for you.”
Keep a “Curiosity Journal” for a Month: Each day, write down at least one thing that made you pause, wonder, or question something about the world. It could be a pattern in nature, a strange fact you overheard, or a new idea from a book or podcast. See where your curiosity leads.

Recognition

Write an Award Speech—But Not for Yourself: Think of someone in your life who deserves recognition—whether it’s a teacher, a family member, or a friend—and write a one-minute speech honoring them. Deliver it in person, send it as a voice memo, or turn it into a social media post.
Curate a “Museum Exhibit” About an Overlooked Story: Use a hallway, a website, or even a single wall in your house to display objects, images, or quotes that highlight an untold or forgotten story—whether it’s a family history, a cultural tradition, or an idea that deserves more attention.
Send a “Thank You for Existing” Note to Someone Unexpected: A local librarian, a favorite podcast host, a mentor you haven’t spoken to in years. Be specific about what impact they’ve had on you.
Document the Everyday Beauty Around You: Spend a day taking photos of small, overlooked details—light on a sidewalk, the way someone arranges their desk, a pattern in the clouds. Compile them into a mini “beauty in the ordinary” gallery.
Invent a New Holiday and Get at Least Three People to Celebrate It: It could be “Obscure Fact Appreciation Day” where you text friends random trivia, or “Sit in a New Spot Day” where you challenge routine. Create a ritual and see if it catches on.

Accountability

Tell Someone Your Big, Scary Goal—and Let Them Set the Deadline: Choose a challenge that excites and intimidates you. Share it with a trusted friend or mentor and ask them to pick the timeline.
Design a "Streaks Calendar" for Something That Matters to You: Whether it’s a creative project, a fitness habit, or a study goal, print out or draw a 30-day calendar and mark each day you show up for it. The goal isn’t perfection, but tracking your commitment.
Write a Letter to Yourself from the End of the Summer: Imagine it’s August, and you’re looking back on what you accomplished. Write about what you hope you’ve done and how you got there.
Make a Bet with a Friend (Not for Money, but for Fun): Hold each other accountable for a summer goal—if you don’t follow through, the other person gets to pick a slightly embarrassing but harmless challenge for you.
Challenge Yourself to Only Complain If You Have a Solution: For a week, notice when you feel frustrated, and instead of venting, brainstorm or take action on a small fix. Keep track of how this changes your mindset.

Inspiration

Find a TED Talk or Podcast on a Topic You Think You’d Hate—and Watch It Anyway: See if you can appreciate or learn something from a perspective you don’t normally engage with.
Try “Invisible Art”: Create something that only exists temporarily—chalk art that washes away, a poem left on a café table, an anonymous compliment written on a sticky note and placed somewhere unexpected.
Take Yourself on an Artist’s Date: Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, suggests solo outings that fill your creative well—visiting a thrift store, walking in an unfamiliar neighborhood, browsing a section of the library you’ve never explored. Go somewhere just to absorb new ideas.
Ask 5 People for Book, Film, or Music Recommendations—Then Actually Follow Through: See if you can step outside your usual taste and find inspiration in someone else’s favorites.
Create a Playlist for a Future Version of You: Imagine a version of yourself who has grown, achieved a goal, or gone through a transformation. What music would they listen to?

Music

Rearrange a Song in a Totally Different Genre: Take a rap song and imagine it as a lullaby, or turn a classical piece into a rock anthem. If you don’t play an instrument, try using free music software to experiment.
Find a Song That Perfectly Describes a Memory—and Share It With Someone Who Was There: Ask them if they agree or if they’d pick a different song.
Create a Sound Map of Your Neighborhood: Sit in different locations and list or record the sounds you hear. What’s the rhythm of your environment?
Learn the Story Behind a Song That Moves You: Research its history, the artist’s intent, or how it was received when it was released.
Play a “Soundtrack to Life” Game with Friends: Take turns picking songs that match a moment (e.g., “a song for a rainy afternoon,” “a song that makes you feel invincible”) and explain why.

Helping Others

Leave Encouraging Notes in Unexpected Places: A sticky note on a school desk, a kind message in a returned library book, a compliment written in chalk on the sidewalk.
Use Your Skills to Offer “Office Hours” for Someone Younger Than You: If you’re good at writing, design, coding, or a specific subject, offer free advice or tutoring sessions online or in your community.
Organize a “One Good Deed” Relay: Do something helpful and ask the recipient to pay it forward. Track how far your chain of kindness spreads.
Find a Way to Help Without Asking “How Can I Help?”: Instead of putting the burden on someone else to think of ways you can assist, look around and take action where you see a need.
Start a “What I Wish I’d Known” Project: Write down advice you wish you’d received earlier in life—whether about school, friendships, mental health, or a personal passion. Share it through a blog, zine, video, or casual conversation.

Peace

Spend a Day Without Complaining, Rushing, or Interrupting: Notice how it affects your mood, interactions, and sense of calm. If it feels impossible, why?
Turn Off All Notifications for a Weekend: See what changes when your time and attention aren’t constantly interrupted.
Host a "Silent Dinner" or a One-Hour No-Talking Challenge: Experience what it’s like to communicate with gestures, eye contact, and presence rather than words.
Make a "Peace Map" of Your Day: Identify the places, people, and activities that bring you the most peace. How can you spend more time in those spaces?
Have a Conversation with Someone You Strongly Disagree With—Without Trying to Win: Focus on curiosity rather than debate. Try to truly understand their perspective.

Diversity

Challenge Your Algorithm: Follow five creators or thinkers on social media whose experiences or perspectives differ from your own.
Cook a Dish from a Culture You Know Nothing About: Learn about its history, significance, and traditional preparation.
Experience the Same Story Through Different Lenses: Read multiple news articles, watch a documentary, or compare two films from different cultural perspectives on the same event.
Participate in a Cultural Tradition That’s New to You: Attend a festival, watch a ceremony online, or learn about the significance of a holiday you don’t celebrate.
Create a Family or Community Oral History Project: Interview people in your family or neighborhood about their backgrounds, migrations, or traditions.

Expertise

Master Something So Well You Can Teach It: Pick a skill, hobby, or topic and challenge yourself to explain it clearly to someone else.
Trace the History of a Niche Interest: Whether it’s sneakers, comic books, or chess, research how it started and how it evolved over time.
Ask an Expert to Mentor You—Even If It's Just for One Conversation: Reach out to someone in a field you admire and ask one insightful question about their journey.
Spend a Day as an Apprentice: Offer to help someone skilled in an area you’re curious about, whether it’s mechanics, baking, photography, or coding.
Make a Guide or Cheat Sheet for a Topic You Know Well: Summarize key points, create a tutorial, or design a crash course for others.

Vulnerability

Tell Someone a Story You’ve Never Told Before: Share a personal experience with a trusted friend, family member, or even through creative writing.
Write a Letter to Your Younger Self: What do you wish you had known five years ago? Be as honest and encouraging as possible.
Practice Saying "I Don't Know" Without Feeling Embarrassed: Notice when you pretend to understand something just to avoid looking uninformed.
Let Yourself Try (and Be Bad At) Something New in Front of Others: Embrace the awkwardness of learning publicly instead of waiting until you're "good enough."
Ask for Help on Something You Normally Struggle Alone With: Whether it’s emotions, schoolwork, or a personal challenge, reach out before you think you “deserve” to.

Global Awareness

Read a Non-U.S. Newspaper for a Week: Compare how global events are reported in different countries.
Look Up the History of a Country You Know Nothing About: Learn about its culture, government, and recent challenges.
Take a Deep Dive into a Global Issue: Whether it's water access, refugee crises, or climate change, explore how different nations are addressing the problem.
Research Your City’s Global Connections: Find out which countries your city trades with, what languages are spoken in local schools, or where nearby immigrants come from.
Follow an International Creator or Journalist on Social Media: Gain insight into everyday life in another part of the world.

Hunger

Eat on a Limited Budget for a Day: Plan a full day of meals with only a few dollars and reflect on how it affects your choices.
Volunteer at a Local Food Bank or Pantry: Learn about food insecurity in your own community and how organizations are working to address it.
Research the True Cost of a Meal: Look into where your food comes from, who grows it, and what it costs at different stages.
Try Cooking a Full Meal with Just Five Ingredients: Understand how limitations shape creativity and nutrition.
Learn About School Lunch Policies and Food Access in Your Area: Investigate how hunger impacts students and what policies exist to address it.

My Country

Find Out Where Your Hometown’s Name Comes From: Research its history and any cultural or linguistic origins.
Read the Constitution or Founding Documents of Your Country: What parts surprise you? What feels outdated or still relevant?
Interview a Grandparent or Elder About Their Experience Growing Up: How has life in your country changed over generations?
Compare National Anthems: Listen to how different countries express identity and values through music.
Look Up the Top Issues in Your Country’s Next Election: What policies are being debated? Who is running for office?

Sleep

Track Your Sleep for a Week Without Changing Anything: Notice patterns in when you feel most alert and when you crash.
Try a "Tech-Free Hour" Before Bed for Three Nights in a Row: See if unplugging affects your sleep quality or dreams.
Learn About the Science of Sleep: Research how sleep affects memory, mood, and physical health.
Experiment with a Different Sleep Routine: Try going to bed an hour earlier, napping strategically, or adjusting your wake-up time.
Create a "Dream Journal" for a Week: Write down what you remember from your dreams each morning and look for patterns or themes.

Productivity

Test a "Work Like a Scientist" Schedule: Instead of forcing yourself to grind through work, mimic how scientists approach research—short, focused bursts of deep work, then stepping away to let ideas incubate.
Reverse-Engineer Someone’s Success: Pick a person you admire and break down exactly how they structured their work, habits, and focus to achieve their goals.
Try "Creative Procrastination": Instead of feeling guilty about putting off a task, use that time to work on something else meaningful. See how shifting focus impacts productivity.
Go a Full Day Without Multitasking: Only work on one thing at a time—no background music, no switching tabs. Pay attention to how your brain reacts.
Redesign Your Space for Efficiency: Experiment with making your study or work area more functional—rearrange furniture, remove distractions, or create a setup that signals "focus mode."

Intuition

Try a Day of Decision-Making Without Overthinking: Go with your gut on small choices—what to wear, where to sit, which email to answer first. Reflect on how it feels to trust your instincts.
Start a "Coin Flip Journal": For one week, when you're torn between two options, flip a coin—but instead of obeying it, notice your immediate reaction. Did you feel relieved or disappointed? That’s your real answer.
Spend Time Alone in a New Place Without a Plan: Walk through a neighborhood or explore a park without an agenda. Let your instincts guide you.
Practice "First Thought, Best Thought" Writing: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write whatever comes to mind without stopping. Don't edit, second-guess, or censor yourself.
Track Your Body’s Signals for a Week: Notice when you feel tense, drained, or energized throughout the day. What situations or people affect your instincts?

Culture

Make a "Cultural Bucket List" of Traditions You Want to Experience: Research rituals, festivals, or artistic traditions from different cultures and pick one to engage with this summer.
Explore the Evolution of a Cultural Phenomenon: Whether it’s sneakers, anime, jazz, or street food, trace its origins and how it spread across the world.
Swap Playlists with Someone from a Different Background: Ask a friend or online community member to create a playlist of music from their culture and do the same for them.
Find a Local Market or Restaurant that Serves Food from a Culture You’ve Never Tried: Learn the history behind the dishes before you go.
Watch a Movie in a Language You Don’t Speak—Without Subtitles: Try to guess the plot and emotions based purely on tone, gestures, and visuals.

Healthy Boundaries

Say “No” to One Thing Without Over-Explaining: Politely decline an invitation, request, or task without justifying your decision. Notice how it feels.
Design a "People Energy Map": Write down the people you interact with most and note who leaves you feeling drained and who recharges you. Adjust accordingly.
Go 24 Hours Without Apologizing for Things That Aren’t Your Fault: Track how often you say "sorry" unnecessarily and replace it with more direct communication.
Create a Personal Policy for Social Media and Texting: Set limits on when and how you respond to messages—then stick to it without guilt.
Write a Script for Tough Conversations: If there's a conversation you’ve been avoiding, draft different ways to say what you need without guilt or defensiveness.

Second Chances

Revisit an Old Hobby You Gave Up On: Try painting, playing an instrument, or writing poetry again—without worrying about being "good" at it.
Reach Out to Someone You Regret Losing Touch With: A classmate, former friend, or mentor—send a simple, no-pressure message.
Give a Book, Movie, or Song You Disliked a Second Chance: Approach it with fresh eyes and an open mind to see if your perspective has changed.
Try a “Do-Over” Day: Take a day to redo something you once struggled with—whether it’s speaking up in class, trying a difficult hike, or learning a skill.
Forgive Yourself for a Past Mistake—Then Take a Small Action to Move Forward: Write a letter to yourself about what you’ve learned, or make amends in a tangible way.

Listening

Go an Entire Conversation Without Talking About Yourself: See how long you can keep the focus on the other person’s experiences and thoughts.
Try "Deep Listening" with Music: Put on a song you’ve heard before and focus only on one instrument at a time. What do you notice that you’ve never heard before?
Let Silence Be Part of the Conversation: After someone speaks, wait an extra beat before responding. Sometimes, they’ll fill the space with something deeper.
Watch an Interview with a Public Figure You Strongly Disagree With—Without Reacting Immediately: Try to truly understand their reasoning before forming a response.
Listen for What’s Not Being Said: In conversations, pay attention to body language, hesitation, and tone to pick up on emotions beyond words.

Family

Ask a Family Member a Question You’ve Never Asked Before: What was their biggest dream growing up? What’s a mistake they learned from? You might be surprised by their answer.
Make a "Family Soundtrack": Choose songs that remind you of each family member and share the playlist with them.
Cook a Meal with an Older Relative Without Looking at a Recipe: Learn by watching, listening, and improvising together.
Create a Time Capsule for Your Household: Collect small objects, notes, and memories from this summer and hide them to open in the future.
Try Living by a Family Member’s Routine for a Day: Wake up when they do, eat what they eat, do what they do. What’s different about their world?

Excitement

Set a Timer for 10 Minutes and Do Something You’ve Been Avoiding: Whether it’s starting a big project, reaching out to someone, or trying a new skill, jump in without overthinking.
Ask a Stranger for a Book, Movie, or Music Recommendation—and Follow Through: Let someone else’s favorite thing shake up your routine.
Create a "Spontaneity Jar": Write down 10 things you wouldn’t normally do (e.g., take a different route home, eat dessert for breakfast, start a conversation with someone new), and pull one at random when you need a spark.
Try Something at the Absolute Last Minute: Buy a ticket to an event the day of, decide on dinner based on what’s left in the fridge, or let a random generator choose your next activity.
Watch the Sunrise or Sunset from the Best Spot You Can Find: Chase that perfect moment of natural wonder.

Travel

Take a Bus or Train to the End of the Line—Then Explore What’s There: Treat your own city or town like a place you’re visiting for the first time.
Learn to Navigate Without Google Maps: Rely on landmarks, a paper map, or even asking strangers for directions.
Plan a Dream Trip on a Budget of $10: Find free or low-cost experiences in a place you want to visit.
Try a "One-Day Immersion" in a Foreign Culture: Eat the food, watch the movies, listen to the music, and learn a few phrases of the language.
Create a Travel-Themed Scavenger Hunt for Yourself: Whether you’re traveling far or just to a new part of town, make a list of things to find—street art, a historic landmark, a local specialty—and see how many you can check off.

Adventure

Flip a Coin to Decide Your Next Move for an Entire Afternoon: Heads, you go left. Tails, you go right. Let randomness dictate your path.
Try an Activity You’ve Always Considered "Not for You": If you’re not a hiker, go on a trail. If you’ve never tried skateboarding, give it a shot.
Find the Highest Place You Can Access and Climb It: A hill, a tower, a parking garage—get a new perspective on a familiar place.
Go Somewhere in Nature Without Bringing Your Phone: Pay attention to sounds, textures, and movement. See what details you notice that you’d normally miss.
Give Yourself a "Mission" in a Public Place: Act like a tourist in your own city, find a hidden detail in an old building, or challenge yourself to get a stranger to laugh.

Laughter

Watch a Comedy You Loved as a Kid and See if It Still Holds Up: What parts are funnier now? What jokes totally flew over your head back then?
Try a "Ridiculous Debate" with Friends: Argue passionately about the most absurd topics—e.g., what’s the best utensil? Is cereal a soup?
Spend a Day Speaking Only in Movie Quotes or Song Lyrics: See how long it takes for someone to notice.
Write a Fake Product Review That Sounds Real: Pick an everyday object and craft the most over-the-top review possible.
Attempt a New Skill and Fully Embrace Being Terrible at It: Bad dancing? Weird drawings? Off-key singing? Give yourself permission to fail hilariously.

Entrepreneurship

Try to Make $10 in a Day Using Only What You Have Right Now: Sell something, offer a small service, or find a creative way to earn cash.
Write a Business Plan for a Totally Absurd Idea: A rental service for lost socks? A delivery app for high-fives? Let your creativity run wild.
Interview Someone Who Started Their Own Business: Ask about their biggest mistake, their best decision, and what they wish they knew earlier.
Sell Something You Created: Make stickers, digital designs, or even a zine, and see if you can sell them online or at a local event.
Test Out a "Microbusiness" for a Weekend: Try offering a service like organizing closets, pet sitting, or making custom playlists for people.

Wonder

Lay on the Ground and Watch the Sky for 20 Minutes Without Distraction: Observe how the clouds move, how birds interact, or how the stars shift.
Ask Five "What If?" Questions and Try to Answer Them: What if animals could talk? What if colors had flavors? What if you lived in a different era? Let curiosity drive your thinking.
Go to a Library or Bookstore and Open a Random Book to a Random Page: Read whatever’s there. Does it connect to your life in an unexpected way?
Collect "Tiny Miracles" for a Week: Write down small, beautiful moments—coincidences, acts of kindness, patterns in nature—and reflect on them.
Research the Science Behind Something You Take for Granted: How do fireflies glow? Why do some foods taste better together? What makes déjà vu happen?

Health and Fitness

Pick a Workout or Sport That’s the Opposite of Your Usual Routine: If you like slow, controlled movements, try something high-energy. If you love solo workouts, try a group activity.
See How Many Steps You Can Take Without Looking at Your Phone Once: Turn a walk into a focused, phone-free experience.
Try "Temptation Bundling" for a Week: Pair a workout with something enjoyable—only listen to your favorite podcast while running, or watch a show while stretching.
Make a "Feeling Good" Playlist and Dance for Three Songs Straight: Bonus points if you don’t care how ridiculous you look.
Test How Food Impacts Your Energy: Experiment with different meals and track how they affect your mood, focus, and endurance.

Love

Write a Letter to Someone Just to Say Why You Appreciate Them—Then Actually Send It: It doesn’t have to be romantic—just genuine.
Try an "Acts of Love" Challenge for a Week: Do something small but meaningful each day for a friend, family member, or stranger.
Spend a Day Giving Genuine Compliments Without Expecting Anything in Return: Notice how people react and how it shifts the energy of your interactions.
Make a Playlist of Songs That Feel Like Love to You: It could be about romance, friendship, family, or self-love.
Ask People You Trust: "What’s the Best Piece of Love Advice You’ve Ever Heard?" See if their answers surprise you.

Close Relationships

Interview a Friend or Family Member Like a Podcast Host: Ask questions you’d never normally ask and record the conversation (with their permission).
Spend a Full Day Without Interrupting Anyone: Notice how it changes your conversations.
Swap a Favorite Book, Movie, or Album with a Close Friend: Discuss what resonated most with each of you.
Plan a Surprise for Someone You Care About—Just Because: It could be a small note, a playlist, or something homemade.
Recreate a Memory with Someone You Haven’t Seen in a While: Go back to a place you used to hang out, revisit an old inside joke, or just reminisce together.

Humility

Do Something You’re Bad At in Front of Others—On Purpose: Whether it’s drawing, dancing, or playing a sport, embrace being a beginner and see how it shifts your perspective.
Ask Someone to Teach You Something—Without Pretending You Already Know It: Drop the instinct to nod along or act like you understand. Ask follow-up questions and really learn.
Spend a Day Giving Credit to Others: If someone compliments you, redirect the praise to a mentor, teammate, or friend who helped you.
Write Down Five Times You Were Wrong About Something—And What You Learned: Shift your mindset from “failure” to “growth.”
Take a Walk Through a Place That’s Been There Longer Than You: Whether it’s a historical site, an old tree, or a well-worn path, reflect on how small your moment in time really is.

Art

Create Something and Destroy It: Paint over a finished canvas, erase part of a drawing, or shred a piece of writing. See how it feels to let go of perfection.
Make Art with Found Objects: Use things from your house, nature, or even trash to create something unexpected.
Listen to an Album While Drawing or Writing—Without Thinking About the Outcome: Let the music guide your hand and see what emerges.
Reimagine a Famous Artwork in a Wildly Different Style: What would Starry Night look like as a comic book? How would The Mona Lisa appear in pixel art?
Give a Piece of Art Away to a Stranger: Leave a small sketch, poem, or painting in a public place for someone to find.

Responsibility

Take Full Ownership of a Task from Start to Finish—Without Being Asked: Whether it’s cleaning, organizing an event, or helping a sibling, complete it without reminders or shortcuts.
Admit a Mistake Immediately Instead of Making Excuses: Own up, apologize, and offer a solution before anyone even asks.
Manage a Tiny Budget for a Week: Plan and track how you use a small amount of money, even if it’s just for snacks or entertainment.
Look at the Bigger Picture of a Daily Chore You Hate: Research why recycling matters, how laundry detergent affects the environment, or where your food scraps go.
Help Solve Someone Else’s Problem—Without Expecting Credit: Assist a friend, teacher, or family member in a way that makes their life easier, just because you can.

Wealth

Redefine Wealth Beyond Money: Make a list of the non-material things that make you feel rich—time, experiences, relationships, knowledge.
Try Living a Day as if You Were Extremely Wealthy—Without Spending More Money: How would you carry yourself? What decisions would you make?
Calculate the True Cost of Something You Buy Regularly: Research how much labor, resources, and transportation go into one cup of coffee, a T-shirt, or a streaming subscription.
Give Away Something You Value to Someone Who Needs It More: Not junk—something that still has meaning to you. See how it feels.
Have a Conversation with Someone from a Different Socioeconomic Background About Money: Ask about their experiences, habits, or beliefs without judgment or comparison.

Safety

Identify the Places Where You Feel Safest—and Why: Is it a physical location, a person, or a routine? What makes it feel secure?
Learn a Basic Skill That Could Keep You or Someone Else Safe: Practice first aid, self-defense, or even how to change a tire.
Have a Conversation with Someone About Their Experience with Safety: Ask a grandparent about how safety has changed over time, or talk to a friend about what makes them feel secure.
Create a Personal “Emergency Plan” for Something Unexpected: Whether it’s a natural disaster, a mental health crisis, or a financial setback, outline your next steps in case of an emergency.
Examine the Invisible Safety Nets in Your Life: Who or what protects you in ways you don’t always notice? Parents, teachers, social services, infrastructure? Reflect on what safety means beyond the obvious.

Creativity

Redesign an Everyday Object to Work Differently: Imagine a shoe that functions as a backpack, a book that glows in the dark, or a phone that charges itself through movement.
Go an Entire Day Without Using Words: Express yourself through drawings, gestures, or sounds instead. See what happens when language isn’t an option.
Use an Object in a Way It Wasn’t Meant to Be Used: Make art out of coffee stains, use books as weights, turn a spoon into a musical instrument.
Give Yourself Five Minutes to Brainstorm 50 Ideas for Something—No Matter How Wild They Are: Push past the obvious and see where your brain takes you.
Take a “Creativity Walk” and Notice Details You Usually Ignore: Look for patterns in nature, hidden street art, or everyday objects with unusual textures.

Knowledge

Read About a Topic That Feels Intimidating or Boring—And See If You Can Find an Angle That Interests You: History, physics, finance—what’s a weird or unexpected fact that makes it come alive?
Teach Someone a Concept You Just Learned: The best way to understand something deeply is to explain it in simple terms.
Listen to an Expert in a Completely Different Field Than Your Own Interests: A scientist, an artist, a mechanic—how do they think differently than you?
Spend an Hour Exploring Wikipedia by Clicking Only on Hyperlinks That Catch Your Attention: Start with one topic and see where curiosity takes you.
Look Up the Origin of a Common Phrase or Everyday Object: Who invented the fork? Why do we say “break a leg”? Find out.

Inclusion

Watch a Movie or Read a Book Created by Someone from a Background Different from Yours: Pay attention to the perspective and themes that might not be part of your everyday experience.
Ask Someone About a Time They Felt Left Out—And Really Listen: What made them feel excluded? What helped?
Look for Ways to Make Your Own Spaces More Inclusive: Notice who speaks most in group conversations, whose ideas get ignored, and what assumptions you make about others.
Spend a Day Being More Conscious of Accessibility: Try navigating your town as if you were in a wheelchair, or using captions instead of sound. How inclusive is your environment?
Intentionally Learn About a Culture, Religion, or Identity You Know Little About—From Sources Created by People Within That Community: What do they want the world to understand?

Curiosity

Ask "Why?" About Something Five Times in a Row—And Keep Digging Deeper: Why do we yawn? Why does laughter sound different in different people? Keep following the question until you reach an unexpected insight.
Let a Child (or Someone Younger Than You) Pick a Topic for You to Research: Kids often ask the best questions—try to find the answer for them.
Follow a Random Hobbyist Forum or Niche Blog for a Week: Even if you don’t care about model trains or birdwatching, see what passionate people notice that you don’t.
Go a Full Day Without Saying "I Already Know That": Approach every conversation and interaction as if it has something new to teach you.
Take a Field Trip to a Place You’d Normally Overlook: A factory, a tiny museum, a courthouse—somewhere people rarely think to visit.

Gratitude

Write a Thank-You Letter to Someone from Your Past—Even If You Don’t Send It: A teacher, a coach, a childhood friend—someone who shaped you in ways you only realize now.
Spend a Day Noticing the "Invisible Work" That Keeps Your Life Running: The mail carrier, grocery store workers, sanitation crews—who contributes to your daily routine without recognition?
Choose One Object in Your Room and Think About How It Got There: Who made it? Who shipped it? What resources went into it? Appreciate the chain of effort behind it.
Write Down Three Good Things That Happened Today—But Make Them Extremely Specific: Not just “I had a good day,” but “I saw a dog wearing a ridiculous sweater” or “My coffee was the perfect temperature.”
Express Gratitude Without Words: Give someone a meaningful gift, do an unexpected favor, or simply spend quality time with them as a thank-you.

Faith

Learn About a Religious or Spiritual Tradition You’re Unfamiliar With: Not just the rituals, but the deeper philosophy behind them.
Try a Day of Silence or Mindfulness: Pay attention to what happens when you slow down and listen—internally and externally.
Create a Personal Ritual That Grounds You: It could be lighting a candle before writing, taking a deep breath before answering calls, or saying a phrase that reminds you of your values.
Talk to Someone About How Faith (or the Lack of It) Has Shaped Their Life: Listen without trying to debate or convince—just understand their experience.
Spend Time in Nature and Reflect on the Feeling of Awe: Whether or not you believe in a higher power, notice what inspires reverence and wonder in you.

Communication

Go a Full Conversation Without Using Any Filler Words ("Like," "Um," "You Know"): Notice how this changes the way you speak and listen.
Write a Text to Someone Using Only Emojis and See if They Understand It: Can you express meaning without words?
Record Yourself Explaining a Complex Topic in Under Two Minutes: Try to make it as clear and engaging as possible—then watch it back and refine it.
Read an Article from a Different Political or Cultural Perspective and Summarize It Without Adding Your Opinion: Focus on understanding rather than reacting.
Try Mirroring Someone’s Communication Style in a Conversation: If they use short sentences, do the same. If they use lots of gestures, match their energy. What happens?

Interdependence

Track How Many People Contribute to One Simple Part of Your Day: Your morning coffee, your clothes, your favorite app—how many people’s labor and ideas made them possible?
Go an Entire Day Asking for (and Accepting) Help When You Need It: Notice when you instinctively try to do everything alone.
Make a List of the People Who Support You in Big or Small Ways—and Let Them Know: A quick thank-you text, a shoutout, or a small act of kindness in return.
Offer to Help Someone with a Task You’d Normally Ignore: Carrying groceries, editing a friend’s resume, watching a neighbor’s pet—be part of someone else’s support system.
Spend a Day Thinking About Decisions in Terms of "We" Instead of "I": How do your choices impact the people around you?

Efficiency

See How Much of a Task You Can Complete in 10 Focused Minutes: Set a timer and give something your full attention—how much more do you get done?
Try the "One-Touch Rule" for a Day: If something takes less than two minutes (responding to a text, putting a dish away), do it immediately instead of delaying it.
Rearrange Your Workspace or Digital Files to Reduce Extra Steps: Small tweaks can make everyday tasks smoother.
Identify the Time of Day When You Work Best—Then Use It Intentionally: Are you most focused in the morning or at night? How can you structure your hardest tasks around that window?
Ask Someone More Efficient Than You for Their Best Productivity Trick—and Try It for a Week: Adapt their method to your own workflow.

Stability

Create a “Calm Space” in Your Room or Home: Rearrange an area to make it feel more peaceful and grounded.
List the Things That Make You Feel Secure—Then Add One More: Stability isn’t just external—what internal habits or mindsets help you feel steady?
Spend a Day Noticing the Rhythms of Your Environment: What are the patterns in your daily routine, your home, or your community that create consistency?
Interview Someone About How They Built Stability in Their Life: Ask a teacher, mentor, or older relative how they created a stable foundation for themselves.
Commit to One Small, Predictable Ritual for a Week: It could be morning journaling, stretching before bed, or taking five deep breaths before stressful situations.

Humor

Try to Make Someone Laugh Without Using Words: Use only facial expressions, gestures, or a creative method to get them to laugh.
Read or Watch a Comedy from a Different Culture: Notice how humor differs across languages, time periods, or traditions.
Rewrite a Serious News Headline as If It Were Satire: What would it look like as a joke on The Onion?
Spend a Day Laughing at Yourself on Purpose: Whenever you make a mistake or feel awkward, turn it into a joke instead of stressing about it.
Ask Five People What Their Favorite Joke or Funniest Memory Is—Then Rank Them: Which types of humor make you laugh the most?

Truth

Go a Full Day Without Exaggerating or Downplaying Anything: Say exactly what you mean, without stretching the truth or softening it.
Look Up a “Fact” You’ve Always Believed and See If It’s Actually True: Many “common knowledge” ideas turn out to be myths—what’s one you’ve never questioned?
Tell a Story from Your Life Two Ways—Once with Absolute Honesty and Once with Embellishment: Which version is more interesting? Which feels more authentic?
Have a “Radical Honesty” Conversation with a Close Friend: Say something you’ve been holding back (kindly) and encourage them to do the same.
Find a Speech or Essay That Changed the Course of History and Read It Closely: What made it so powerful?

Order

Rearrange a Space in Your Home for Maximum Efficiency: Can you make your room, desk, or kitchen function better with small changes?
Spend a Day Following a Strictly Scheduled Routine—Then Spend a Day with No Schedule at All: Which one makes you feel more productive, and which makes you feel freer?
Organize Something That’s Been Messy for Too Long: A playlist, your files, your closet—how does it feel once it’s in order?
Follow a Complex Set of Instructions Exactly—Then Find a Way to Simplify It: Try a complicated recipe, a DIY project, or an intricate game and streamline the process.
Look for Patterns in Chaos: Walk through a crowded place or listen to a noisy street—what hidden structure or rhythm can you find?

Excellence

Identify One Area Where You’d Like to Improve—Then Find the Best Person to Learn From: Whether it’s writing, leadership, or fitness, study someone who excels in it.
Spend an Hour Trying to Perfect a Tiny Detail: A single brushstroke in a painting, one sentence in an essay, a note in a song—how does obsessive focus change the final result?
Ask Someone Who’s Great at Something What Their Practice Routine Looks Like: What habits separate good from great?
Redefine Excellence for Yourself: Is it about perfection, persistence, innovation? What does excellence mean to you?
Try to “Master” Something in One Hour: Whether it’s folding origami, memorizing a poem, or learning a dance move, see how much progress you can make with pure focus.

Religion

Attend a Religious Service from a Tradition Different from Your Own: If in person isn’t possible, watch a livestream or read about the rituals involved. What stands out to you?
Study a Sacred Text Without Looking for Right or Wrong—Just Patterns and Themes: Read a passage from the Bible, Quran, Torah, Bhagavad Gita, or another religious text and focus on recurring symbols, metaphors, or moral questions.
Talk to Someone About Their Faith Journey—Without Trying to Debate or Compare: Ask what drew them to their beliefs, what challenges them, and what gives them peace.
Research the History of a Religious Holiday You Don’t Celebrate: What are its origins? How has it changed over time?
Write Your Own Set of “Life Commandments”: Whether spiritual or not, outline your own guiding principles for how you want to live.

Beauty

Find Something Ordinary That Becomes Beautiful When You Look Closely: The pattern in tree bark, the reflection in a puddle, the way light moves in a room—notice details you usually overlook.
Create Something Designed to Decay or Disappear: A sand drawing, a chalk mural, an ice sculpture—something beautiful that isn’t meant to last.
Ask Five People What They Think “Beauty” Means—Then Compare Their Answers: Does beauty come from symmetry, meaning, effort, or something else?
Make a Playlist of Songs That Feel Like Pure Beauty to You—Then Describe Why: Is it the lyrics, the melody, the emotion behind it?
Redefine Beauty for Yourself: Is it effortlessness? Precision? Chaos? See if you can move beyond standard definitions.

Meaningful Work

Interview Someone Who Loves Their Job—And Ask What Makes It Meaningful: What aspects of their work bring them joy or fulfillment?
Spend a Day Doing a Task with Full Presence—No Distractions or Rushing: Whether it’s washing dishes, writing, or organizing, notice what happens when you fully commit to it.
Make a List of 10 Careers That Seem Meaningful to You—Then Look Up Someone Who Does One of Them: What do their day-to-day responsibilities actually look like?
Do a Small, Thoughtful Task That Improves Someone Else’s Day: Even if it’s invisible work—tidying a shared space, helping someone without being asked—see what happens when you contribute without recognition.
Think About the Work You Do for Free: Whether it’s helping a friend, creating something, or volunteering, what kind of work feels inherently worth doing?

Trust

Let Someone Else Make a Small Decision for You: Whether it’s picking your meal, planning an afternoon, or choosing a movie, practice letting go of control.
Keep a Promise to Yourself for a Full Week—No Matter How Small: Even if it’s just drinking a glass of water in the morning, prove to yourself that you follow through.
Ask a Friend to Share an Honest Opinion on Something—And Accept It Without Defensiveness: See how it feels to trust their perspective without arguing.
Pay Attention to What Your Gut Instinct Says—Then Test It: Do you feel uneasy about someone? Drawn to a certain opportunity? Follow your intuition and see if it was right.
Think About a Time Someone Trusted You Completely—How Did It Change Your Behavior?: Notice how trust, rather than suspicion, affects how we act.

Self-Expression

Tell a Story in a Completely New Format: If you usually write, try drawing. If you express yourself through music, try dance. See how the shift changes the story.
Wear Something That Represents Who You Are—Even If It’s a Small Detail: It could be a color, an accessory, or a piece of clothing that makes you feel the most you.
Create a “Me” Playlist with Songs That Feel Like Different Aspects of Your Personality: Make a soundtrack that represents your highs, lows, and everything in between.
Write a Letter to Yourself Five Years Ago—And One to Yourself Five Years in the Future: What do you wish you had known? What do you hope you’ll remember?
Ask Someone You Trust How They Would Describe You in Three Words—Then Compare It to Your Own List: Are you expressing yourself the way you think you are?

Fun

Try to Make the Most Mundane Task as Fun as Possible: Turn cleaning into a race, studying into a game, or walking into a personal adventure.
Ask a Group of Friends to Each Bring the Most Ridiculous Game They Can Find—Then Play Them All in One Night: Mash-up card games, improv games, and made-up rules.
Invent a Holiday and Celebrate It with Friends: “National Compliment Day,” “Eat Breakfast for Every Meal Day”—make up traditions and get others to join in.
Do a “Yes Day” Where You Say Yes to Every Fun (and Safe) Opportunity That Comes Up: Let spontaneity take over.
Challenge Yourself to Make Three People Laugh Today—Without Using Words: Use gestures, facial expressions, or absurdity instead.

Rationality

Debate Yourself on a Strongly Held Belief: Write down your opinion on an issue, then argue the other side as convincingly as possible.
Test a Common Myth by Looking at Actual Research: Does sugar actually make kids hyper? Does cracking your knuckles really cause arthritis? Find out.
Track Your Emotional Reactions for a Day and See How They Compare to Reality: Did a minor inconvenience feel like a disaster? Did something actually turn out as bad as you expected?
Try Explaining a Complex Concept to a Kid—Or Someone Completely Unfamiliar With It: If you can’t simplify it, do you really understand it?
Examine a Decision You Made Recently and Break Down the Logic Behind It: What factors influenced you? Were they emotional, practical, or a mix of both?

Democracy

Look Up One Law in Your City or State That You Didn’t Know About—Then Find Out How It Was Created: What was the reasoning behind it? Who fought for or against it?
Attend (or Watch Online) a Local Government Meeting: School board, city council, or town hall—see how decisions actually get made.
Ask Five People What They Think the Most Important Issue Facing Society Is—Then Compare Their Answers: What patterns emerge? What biases might be shaping them?
Try Running Your Own “Mini Democracy” for a Day: In a group setting, let decisions be made by vote, debate, or a structured process. How does it change how people interact?
Read a Speech from a Famous Democracy Movement—Then Write Your Own Speech for a Cause You Care About: What persuasive techniques do they use? How would you inspire change?

Self-Control

Delay Gratification on Something Small for a Week—Then Reflect on How It Felt: Whether it’s saving a treat for later, resisting the urge to check your phone, or holding back an impulse buy, notice how your brain reacts.
Try a “No Complaint” Challenge for 24 Hours: Instead of venting, find solutions or reframe situations positively. See how it shifts your mindset.
Sit in Stillness for Five Minutes Without Looking at a Screen, Talking, or Moving: Pay attention to how your thoughts behave when there’s nothing to distract you.
Choose One Small Habit You Want to Change and Track It for a Week: Whether it’s biting your nails, overthinking, or procrastinating, see what happens when you actively monitor it.
Write Down a Goal, Then List Everything That Could Possibly Distract You From It—And Plan How to Avoid Each One: Set yourself up for success by anticipating obstacles.

Balance

Go an Entire Day Alternating Between Work and Play—See What Feels Like the Best Ratio: Do you focus better with frequent breaks? Long work sessions followed by full rest? Find your personal balance.
Write a List of Things That Make You Feel "Too Much" in One Direction—Then Brainstorm the Opposite: If you feel overwhelmed by school, what would slow things down? If you feel stagnant, what would add excitement?
Spend a Day Prioritizing “Enough” Over “More”: Instead of pushing to do extra, recognize when something is sufficient—whether it’s studying, exercise, or social time.
Try Eating, Walking, or Talking at Half Your Usual Speed for an Hour: Notice what changes when you slow down.
Make a “Life Pie Chart” of How You Spend Your Time—Then Make One for How You Want to Spend It: Where are the biggest imbalances?

Adaptability

Say “Yes” to Something You’d Normally Say “No” To—Just to See What Happens: Accept an unexpected invitation, try a new food, or switch up a routine.
Spend a Day Without Using a Schedule or Checking the Time: Let events unfold naturally instead of controlling them.
Do Something You’re Bad At—On Purpose: Instead of avoiding failure, lean into it and see what lessons emerge.
Reframe a Setback as an Opportunity: Look at a recent disappointment and find at least three ways it could lead to growth.
Switch Up Your Perspective in a Literal Way: Walk a different route, sit in a new seat, eat somewhere unusual. How does a small physical shift change how you think?

Success

Define Success for Yourself—Without Using External Metrics: What does success look like if grades, money, or achievements don’t define it?
Ask Three People You Admire How They Define Success—And Compare Their Answers: Do their definitions align with yours, or do they challenge your perspective?
Break a Big Goal Into the Smallest Possible Steps—Then Do the First One Right Now: Success is about action—start before you feel ready.
Think of a Time You Failed at Something—What Did It Teach You About Success?: Write down what that experience revealed about resilience, strategy, or priorities.
Spend a Day Acting as If You Are Already Successful: Walk, talk, and make decisions with the confidence of someone who has already “made it.” What changes?

Independence

Spend a Full Day Making Every Decision Alone—Without Asking for Advice or Checking What Others Think: Notice how it feels to trust yourself fully, even for small choices.
Go on a Solo Adventure Somewhere You’ve Never Been: Whether it’s a new café, a park, or a museum, experience what it’s like to navigate the world without relying on anyone else.
Create a “Self-Reliance Plan” for Something You Usually Depend on Others For: Whether it’s cooking a meal, budgeting money, or fixing something broken, take the first step toward mastering it yourself.
Challenge Yourself to Solve a Small Problem Without Googling It: Instead of looking up an answer immediately, try to figure it out on your own first.
Make a List of the Things You Want for Your Life—Without Considering What Anyone Else Thinks You Should Want: What truly matters to you?

Variety

Go an Entire Day Without Repeating Anything You’ve Done Before: Eat different foods, take a new route, listen to an unfamiliar genre of music—see how much change you can introduce in 24 hours.
Shuffle Your Routine by Rolling Dice or Using a Random Generator: Let chance decide what you wear, where you go, or what activity you do next.
Pick a Topic You Know Nothing About and Spend an Hour Learning About It: What’s the most random, fascinating thing you can discover?
Have a Conversation with Someone You Don’t Normally Talk To: A younger sibling, a classmate from a different group, or even a stranger—what new perspectives do they bring?
Make a “Variety Jar” with 10 Different Activities—Pull One at Random When You’re Bored: Keep life spontaneous by mixing up how you spend your time.

Community

Find a Way to Contribute to Your Community Without Spending Money: Offer your time, skills, or effort to make a meaningful impact.
Ask Three People What They Wish Existed in Your Community—Then Brainstorm How to Create It: Whether it’s a social club, an art space, or a local initiative, think about how to bring people together.
Plan a Small Gathering with No Reason Other Than to Connect: Invite a few people for a casual hangout, game night, or conversation—no special occasion needed.
Volunteer for Something That Aligns with Your Interests—Even Just for One Day: Whether it’s helping at an animal shelter, a library, or a food pantry, see what role fits you best.
Map Out the “Invisible Community” Around You: Who are the people who keep your world running—cashiers, bus drivers, teachers, mail carriers? Notice their contributions and find a way to acknowledge them.

Patience

Stand in the Longest Line You Can Find Without Checking Your Phone: Observe the people around you, the details of the space, and how your mind reacts to waiting.
Take a Timelapse of Something That Usually Feels Too Slow to Notice: A flower blooming, a sunrise, or ice melting—appreciate time in a new way.
Spend an Hour Doing a Tediously Slow Activity—And See If You Can Enjoy It: Puzzle-solving, embroidery, deep cleaning—lean into slowness instead of fighting it.
Start a Project That You Know Will Take Weeks or Months to Finish: Whether it’s growing a plant, writing a story, or learning an instrument, commit to something long-term.
Watch an Old-Fashioned or Slow-Paced Movie Without Multitasking: Instead of fast cuts and constant action, see what patience reveals in storytelling.

Challenges

Pick Something You’ve Always Thought Was Too Hard for You—And Try It for 10 Minutes Anyway: Whether it’s speaking a new language, solving a math problem, or attempting a push-up, push past hesitation and just start.
Turn a Frustration Into a Game: Whether it’s studying, waiting in line, or cleaning, add a rule, a reward, or a race-against-the-clock element to make it engaging.
Do Something Outside Your Comfort Zone Every Day for a Week: Speak up in class, eat a food you’ve never tried, or ask a question you’d normally keep to yourself.
Ask Someone You Admire About the Hardest Thing They’ve Ever Done: What helped them get through it? What did they learn?
Take on a “Micro-Challenge” with a Clear, Measurable Goal: Whether it’s walking 10,000 steps daily, memorizing a short poem, or making your bed every morning, prove to yourself that you can follow through.

Autonomy

Make a Decision Without Asking for Advice—Even If It’s a Small One: Trust yourself to choose without seeking validation.
Spend a Full Day Handling All of Your Own Needs Without Relying on Others: Cook your own meals, manage your schedule, and solve your own problems.
Create Your Own System for Managing Time, Money, or Responsibilities—And Stick to It for a Week: Find an approach that works for you, rather than copying someone else’s method.
Take Yourself on a Solo Outing Without Making Plans in Advance: Let the day unfold however you decide in the moment.
Think of a Rule You’ve Always Followed Without Question—And Research Where It Came From: Does it still make sense, or is it just a habit?

Loyalty

Write a Letter to Someone Who Has Stuck by You Through Difficult Times—And Actually Send It: Expressing gratitude deepens loyalty.
Do Something to Support a Friend or Family Member Without Them Knowing: Help behind the scenes, advocate for them, or take on a task to make their life easier.
Examine the Difference Between Loyalty and Blind Loyalty: When is it healthy to stand by someone, and when is it important to speak up?
Reflect on the People and Causes You Are Loyal To—And Why: Are they aligned with your values, or are they based on habit or obligation?
Be Your Own Biggest Ally for a Day: Treat yourself with the same loyalty and encouragement you’d offer a best friend.

Courage

Do Something That Makes You Nervous—Even If It’s Just a Little Bit: Speak in front of a group, start a conversation with someone new, or share an idea you’ve been hesitant about.
Tell the Truth in a Situation Where You’d Normally Stay Silent: Whether it’s expressing an opinion, giving feedback, or admitting a mistake, practice being honest despite discomfort.
Make a List of Every Time You’ve Been Brave—Even in Small Ways: Notice how many times you’ve already shown courage in daily life.
Reframe a Past Failure as a “Courage Story”: Instead of focusing on what went wrong, tell the story of what you risked, tried, or learned.
Do Something Alone That You’d Normally Only Do with Friends: Eat at a restaurant, go to a concert, or explore a new place—prove to yourself that your presence is enough.

Self-Love

Write a Letter to Yourself as If You Were Your Own Best Friend: Be as kind, encouraging, and understanding as you would to someone you care about deeply.
Celebrate a Personal Win—Without Downplaying It or Adding “But” Statements: Give yourself permission to enjoy an accomplishment fully.
Make a “Self-Care Menu” with Activities That Replenish You: List things that help you feel calm, confident, and joyful, so you always have a go-to when you need a boost.
Stand in Front of a Mirror and Say One Good Thing About Yourself Out Loud Every Day for a Week: Even if it feels awkward, notice how repetition changes your mindset.
Do Something Kind for Yourself Without Feeling Like You Have to “Earn” It: Rest, treat yourself, or take a break simply because you deserve it.

Ritual

Invent a New Ritual for the Start or End of Your Day: Light a candle, listen to a song, journal, or stretch—make a small act feel meaningful.
Observe a Ritual You Normally Overlook: Pay attention to how your family, school, or culture marks transitions, beginnings, and endings. What do these rituals say about values?
Create a “Before & After” Ritual for a Task You Struggle With: Set up a small action that signals when it’s time to start and when it’s time to stop, making it easier to focus.
Ask an Elder About a Ritual That Was Important in Their Life: What traditions shaped them? Do they still follow them today?
Document a Personal Ritual You Already Have—Even If You’ve Never Thought of It as One: Do you always drink tea while reading? Listen to music while cooking? Name it, honor it, and continue it with intention.

Purpose

Write Down Three Moments in Your Life When You Felt Completely Engaged and Alive: Look for patterns—what activities or values were present?
Ask Yourself: “If I Could Teach the World One Thing, What Would It Be?”: Whether it’s kindness, creativity, or a skill, what do you feel called to share?
Think of a Small Problem in the World That Frustrates You—Then Take One Step to Address It: Whether it’s picking up litter, helping a neighbor, or raising awareness, see what it feels like to take action.
Have a Conversation with Someone Who Loves Their Work—And Ask How They Found Their Purpose: What twists and turns did their journey take? What advice would they give?
Redefine Purpose as Something You Create, Not Something You “Find”: Instead of waiting for clarity, experiment with different experiences and notice what feels meaningful.

Privacy

Spend a Day Without Sharing Anything About Yourself Online: No posts, no likes, no responses—notice how it feels to keep your experiences to yourself.
Create a “Sacred Space” That’s Just for You: A journal, a playlist, a corner of your room—somewhere that no one else has access to.
Try Writing a Secret Letter That No One Will Ever Read: Let yourself be completely honest, knowing it won’t be shared.
Go for a Walk Without Telling Anyone Where You’re Going: Enjoy the feeling of moving through the world unseen and uninterrupted.
Define What Privacy Means to You—Then Set One Small Boundary to Protect It: Whether it’s limiting social media, setting a phone-free time, or saying no to oversharing, take a step to guard your personal space.

Freedom

Spend a Full Day Making Choices Without Explaining Yourself: Order what you want, wear what you want, say what you want—without justifying or seeking approval.
Do Something That Makes You Feel Wildly Free—Even If It’s Just for 10 Minutes: Run at full speed, dance alone in your room, take a new route without a destination.
Break One Small Rule That Doesn’t Really Matter: Sit somewhere unexpected, mix two foods that "shouldn’t" go together, take an unconventional approach to a task.
Write a List of Everything That Makes You Feel Trapped—Then Brainstorm Ways to Loosen One of Those Constraints: Even small adjustments can create more space.
Ask Yourself: “If I Had Unlimited Freedom, What Would I Do First?”: What does that reveal about what you really want?

Quiet

Spend an Hour in Complete Silence—No Music, No Talking, No Screens: Observe how your mind reacts to the stillness.
Visit the Quietest Place You Can Find and Just Listen: A library, a nature trail, a late-night park—what sounds do you notice in the absence of noise?
Have a Silent Conversation Using Only Gestures or Writing: How does communication change when words aren’t an option?
Unplug from Digital Noise for a Full Evening: Turn off notifications, step away from screens, and see how it feels to exist without the constant flow of information.
Pay Attention to the Spaces Between Sounds: Listen to the pauses in music, the breath between sentences, the moments of stillness in everyday life.

Compassion

Do Something Kind for Someone Without Them Knowing It Was You: Anonymously leave a kind note, pay for someone’s coffee, or help behind the scenes.
Try Seeing Everyone You Meet as a Complex, Full Human Being—Not Just Their Role in Your Life: Imagine their struggles, their hopes, their past experiences.
Listen to Someone Without Offering Advice or Talking About Yourself: Sometimes, the best compassion is simply holding space.
Find a Story of Someone Who Did Something Incredibly Kind—Then Share It With Others: Spread the inspiration of compassion in action.
Extend Compassion to Yourself as You Would to a Friend: When you make a mistake or feel overwhelmed, talk to yourself the way you’d comfort someone you love.

Cooperation

Spend a Day Letting Others Lead—Even in Small Ways: Let a friend choose where to eat, let a sibling pick the movie, or let a classmate take charge in a group project. Notice how cooperation shifts when you step back.
Join Forces With Someone to Solve a Small Problem Together: Fix something broken, help a teacher organize, or work on a creative project—experience how teamwork makes tasks easier.
Observe a Group You’re Part of and Identify the Unspoken Roles People Play: Who keeps things organized? Who brings energy? Who mediates conflict? How do these roles contribute to cooperation?
Try “Mirroring” in a Conversation—Match the Other Person’s Energy and See How It Affects Communication: Cooperation isn’t just about agreeing; it’s about alignment.
Ask a Friend, “What’s One Thing We Could Do Together That We Couldn’t Do Alone?”—Then Do It: Collaboration creates possibilities that don’t exist in isolation.

Growth

Commit to Something That Challenges You for 30 Days—Even If It’s Small: Whether it’s stretching, reading one page a day, or practicing a new skill, long-term consistency leads to growth.
Find a Personal Weakness and Turn It Into a Strength—One Tiny Step at a Time: Struggle with speaking up? Start by making one comment in class. Bad at time management? Set one reminder for tomorrow.
Ask Someone Older About a Time They Grew the Most—What Sparked Their Transformation?: Growth often comes from unexpected moments.
Look Back at a Past Version of Yourself—What’s the Biggest Way You’ve Grown Without Noticing?: Often, progress is invisible until we reflect on it.
Do Something That Forces You to Be a Beginner Again: Try a new sport, learn a new language, or attempt something creative without worrying about perfection.

Authenticity

Spend a Day Only Saying What You Actually Mean—No Polite Half-Truths, No Over-Explaining: Notice how it feels to express yourself without filtering.
Wear, Do, or Say Something That Feels Completely “You”—Even If It’s Not What Others Expect: Authenticity is about aligning with your own truth.
Write Down 10 Things That Make You Feel Most Like Yourself—Then Do One of Them Today: Reconnect with the things that ground you.
Think of a Time You Hid Part of Yourself to Fit In—What Did That Experience Teach You?: Authenticity isn’t always easy, but it’s freeing.
Have a Conversation With Someone Where You Skip Small Talk and Go Straight to the Real Stuff: Ask deeper questions and share something honest.

Practicality

Learn a Skill That Will Actually Help You in Daily Life—No Matter How Small: Budgeting, sewing, writing a formal email—practical skills create independence.
Find an Inefficient Task in Your Routine and Improve It: Whether it’s how you study, get ready, or plan your week, small changes save time and effort.
Challenge Yourself to Solve a Problem Using Only What You Have Right Now: Whether it’s fixing something broken, making a meal with random ingredients, or organizing a space, practice resourcefulness.
Ask an Older Relative or Mentor What Practical Advice Has Helped Them Most—Then Try Applying It to Your Life: Sometimes wisdom is hidden in simple truths.
Spend a Day Making Decisions Based on Logic Rather Than Emotion—Then Reflect on How It Changed Your Choices: Practicality isn’t about ignoring emotions, but about balancing them with reason.

Nature

Spend 20 Minutes Observing a Small Patch of Nature Without Looking at Your Phone: Notice patterns in the wind, the movement of insects, or the way light changes.
Find a Natural Element That Represents Your Current Mood: A rushing river, a still rock, a tangled vine—what does it reflect about you?
Go on a Walk Without a Destination and Let the Landscape Decide Your Path: Follow an interesting tree, a sound, or an open road—see where it takes you.
Research the Oldest Tree, Rock Formation, or Natural Landmark Near You—Then Go See It: What has it witnessed? How has it remained unchanged?
Spend a Day Moving With the Rhythm of Nature Instead of a Clock: Wake up with the sun, eat when you’re hungry, rest when it gets dark—see how it affects your sense of time.

Objectivity

Debate a Strongly Held Belief With Yourself—Argue Both Sides Honestly: Challenge your assumptions by fully committing to the opposing perspective.
Take an Emotional Reaction You Had Recently and Try to See It From a Completely Neutral Perspective: What would an outside observer say?
Read a News Article From Two Different Sources With Opposing Biases—Compare How the Story Is Told: What facts remain the same? What changes?
Practice Describing a Situation Without Adding Any Personal Opinions—Just the Facts: Notice how hard it is to remove emotion from storytelling.
Ask a Friend to Describe You Honestly—Without Sugarcoating or Over-Praising: Do their observations match how you see yourself?

Leadership

Take Initiative on Something Small Without Waiting for Someone Else to Suggest It: Clean up a space, start a conversation, or organize a group activity.
Observe a Leader You Admire and Take Notes on Their Actions—What Makes Them Effective?: Is it their confidence, their ability to listen, their decisiveness?
Give Clear, Simple Instructions to Someone and See How Well They Follow Them: Leadership isn’t just about ideas—it’s about communication.
Ask a Group What They Need—Then Step Up to Make It Happen: Leadership isn’t about taking charge; it’s about serving.
Identify the Leadership Style That Fits You Best—Then Challenge Yourself to Try a Different One: Are you a quiet leader? A visionary? A strategist? Experiment with a new approach.

Wisdom

Ask Someone Older About the Most Important Lesson They’ve Ever Learned—Then Reflect on How It Applies to Your Life: What can experience teach you that books can’t?
Write a Letter to Your Future Self With Advice You Think You'll Need in Five Years: What truths might you forget?
Look Up a Famous Quote About Wisdom—Then Try to Apply It to a Real Situation in Your Life: Does it hold up in practice?
Make a List of the Mistakes You’ve Learned the Most From—Then See If There’s a Pattern: What lessons keep repeating?
Practice Pausing for Three Extra Seconds Before Reacting to Anything Today: Wisdom often comes from reflection—see what changes when you give yourself more time to think.

Respect

Go an Entire Day Treating Every Interaction as If the Other Person Has Something to Teach You: Whether it’s a teacher, a sibling, or a cashier, assume they hold wisdom you don’t yet see.
Identify an Unspoken Rule of Respect in Your Culture or Community—Then Question Where It Comes From: Is it about greeting elders a certain way? Speaking formally? How does it shape interactions?
Find a Public Space and Observe How People Show (or Don’t Show) Respect: Do people hold doors open? Give space to others? Interrupt in conversation?
Think of a Time You Felt Deeply Respected—What Made It Meaningful?: Was it about being heard, given space, or trusted? How can you offer that to others?
Practice Listening Without Interrupting, Without Mentally Preparing Your Response, and Without Trying to “Fix” Anything: Just listen. Notice how different it feels.

Strength

Define Strength Beyond Physical Power—What Does It Mean to You?: Is it emotional resilience, discipline, integrity? Write your own definition.
Do Something That Tests Your Mental Strength—Then Keep Going for 30 Extra Seconds: A cold shower, holding a plank, making a difficult phone call—push yourself just a little further.
Ask Someone About the Hardest Thing They’ve Ever Overcome—Then Ask What Strength Meant to Them in That Moment: Did it look like endurance? Adaptability? Letting go?
Think of a Time You Felt Weak—What Strength Did That Experience Teach You?: Sometimes strength is built in struggle.
Take a Physical or Mental Endurance Challenge—And Track Your Progress Over Time: Whether it’s running, writing, or meditating, commit to improving even 1% each time.

Flexibility

Go a Full Day Without a Plan—See Where the Day Takes You: Instead of sticking to a routine, respond to opportunities as they arise.
Intentionally Break a Small Habit and Do Something Differently: Sit somewhere new, switch your dominant hand for a task, eat breakfast for dinner—embrace change.
Pick a Minor Inconvenience and Reframe It as an Opportunity: Missed the bus? Now you get time to think. Lost an assignment? A chance to practice problem-solving.
Ask Someone Who’s Experienced a Major Life Change How They Handled It: What helped them adjust? What did they wish they had known?
Do an Activity Where You Have to Constantly Adjust—Like Improv, Freestyle Drawing, or Cooking Without a Recipe: See how quickly you can adapt when there’s no set plan.

Financial Stability

Calculate How Much It Costs to Live for One Month in a City You’d Like to Live In One Day: Rent, groceries, transportation—what does financial stability really look like?
Ask Someone Who Manages Their Own Finances About the Biggest Money Lesson They’ve Learned: What do they wish they had known earlier?
Try a “No-Spend Day” Where You Find Ways to Enjoy Life Without Spending a Cent: Get creative with free entertainment and resources.
Look Up the Starting Salaries for Three Careers You’re Interested In—Then Compare Them to the Cost of Living in Different Cities: What does financial success look like in real terms?
Create a Budget for a Dream Trip—Even If You Can’t Take It Yet: Research real costs and outline what it would take to make it happen one day.

Empathy

Spend a Day Responding to Every Situation by Asking Yourself, “How Would I Feel If I Were in Their Place?”: Whether it’s a cashier, a friend, or a stranger, practice stepping into their experience.
Have a Conversation Where You Only Ask Questions—No Giving Advice, No Offering Solutions: See how it feels to purely understand, rather than fix.
Watch a Documentary or Read a Story About Someone With a Completely Different Life Experience Than Yours: What emotions or perspectives surprised you?
Go a Day Without Complaining—And Instead, Find One Positive Thing About Each Situation: Notice how this shift in perspective affects your mood and the way you treat others.
Write Down the Last Three Times You Misunderstood Someone—What Would You Do Differently If You Had Another Chance?: Sometimes, empathy requires learning from mistakes.

Belonging

Think of a Time You Felt Completely Accepted—What Made That Space Feel Safe?: How can you create that same feeling for someone else?
Spend Time in a Group Where You’re the Outsider—Then Reflect on What Helped You Feel Included (or Not): What can you learn about making spaces more welcoming?
Invite Someone to Join a Conversation, Activity, or Group Who Might Be Feeling Left Out: Pay attention to how their energy shifts when they feel seen.
Ask Five People What “Belonging” Means to Them—Then Compare Their Answers: Is it about shared identity? Feeling understood? Being valued?
Write Down Three Things That Make You Unique—Then Write Three Ways Those Qualities Connect You to Others: Belonging isn’t about sameness; it’s about connection.

Equity

Research a Policy or Rule in Your School, City, or Country—Who Benefits Most? Who Might Be Left Out?: Look at how fairness and accessibility play out in real life.
Talk to Someone Who Has Faced a Barrier You’ve Never Had to Think About: What challenges do they navigate daily?
Ask Yourself: “What’s Something I Have That Others Might Struggle to Access?”—Then Find One Small Way to Share It: It could be knowledge, time, resources, or even just a connection.
Look at a Space You Spend Time In and Identify How It Could Be More Inclusive: Could the environment, language, or expectations be adjusted to support more people?
Instead of Asking, “What Would I Do in Their Situation?” Ask, “What Resources Do They Have That I Might Be Taking for Granted?”: True equity is about access, not just effort.

Resourcefulness

Go a Full Day Using Only What You Already Have—No Buying, Borrowing, or Googling for Solutions: Get creative with what’s around you.
Find a Way to Fix, Repurpose, or Improve Something Instead of Throwing It Away: A broken object, an outdated idea, or even a routine that isn’t working.
Set a Challenge to Make a Full Meal Using Only Ingredients You Already Have at Home: Stretch your creativity in the kitchen.
Write Down the Biggest Problem You’re Facing—Then Come Up With Five Different, Unconventional Ways to Solve It: Think beyond the obvious.
Identify a Skill You Wish You Had—Then Find a Way to Start Learning It Without Spending Any Money: Use free resources, mentorship, or trial-and-error.

Decisiveness

Make a Decision in 30 Seconds That You’d Normally Overthink for Hours—And Stick to It: Whether it’s what to eat, what to wear, or which book to read, practice trusting your instincts.
Set a Timer and List Every Decision You’ve Made Today—Then Reflect on Which Ones Were Easy and Which Ones Felt Hard: What patterns emerge?
Ask a Friend to Give You Two Options for Something—Then Choose Instantly Without Explaining Why: See how it feels to decide without second-guessing.
Practice Saying “Yes” or “No” Without Adding Extra Justification: Notice how it changes your confidence when you don’t feel the need to over-explain.
Look at a Time You Delayed a Decision and Ask Yourself: What Would Have Happened If I Had Chosen Sooner?: Sometimes, waiting too long is worse than choosing “wrong.”

Competence

Pick a Skill You Feel Insecure About—Then Take One Small Step Toward Improving It Today: Whether it’s public speaking, budgeting, or cooking, competence grows with action.
Ask Someone You Admire What It Took for Them to Become Skilled at Something: What did the learning process actually look like?
Teach a Concept You Just Learned to Someone Else—Even If You’re Not an Expert Yet: Explaining something forces you to truly understand it.
Make a “Competence List” of Everything You’re Already Skilled At—Then Add One More Skill to the List This Month: Often, we overlook our own progress.
Take on a Task You’d Normally Avoid Because You Feel “Bad” at It—And Approach It as a Learning Experience Instead of a Test: See mistakes as data, not failure.

Collaboration

Join a Group Where You Have to Work Toward a Shared Goal—Even If It’s Just for One Day: A volunteer project, a brainstorming session, a team challenge.
Practice Giving Credit More Than You Normally Would: In a conversation, a project, or an idea, make sure contributions are recognized.
Take on a Role in a Group That You Normally Wouldn’t Choose: If you usually lead, step back and support. If you usually stay quiet, speak up.
Observe How a Well-Coordinated Team Functions—What Makes Their Collaboration Work?: A sports team, a band, a workplace—watch how they communicate.
Ask a Friend or Colleague What They Need Help With—Then Offer Support Without Taking Over: Good collaboration means assisting, not dominating.

Spirituality

Spend 10 Minutes in Stillness, Silence, or Reflection—Without Distractions: Whether through prayer, meditation, or quiet observation, see what thoughts arise.
Learn About a Spiritual Practice You’re Unfamiliar With—And Try It for a Day: It could be mindfulness, fasting, journaling, chanting, or a ritual from a different culture.
Go Outside and Observe the World as If You Were Seeing It for the First Time: Let yourself feel wonder, awe, and connection.
Ask Someone What Their Spiritual Journey Has Been Like—And Just Listen Without Judgment: What has shaped their beliefs, doubts, or experiences?
Write Down Your Own Beliefs—Even If You Don’t Consider Yourself Religious: What gives you meaning? What makes life feel purposeful?

Social Change

Identify a Small Injustice in Your School or Community—Then Take One Step to Address It: Whether it’s a lack of resources, representation, or fairness, brainstorm one tangible action to make a difference.
Research a Historical Social Movement—Then Compare It to a Modern One: What strategies did past activists use that are still effective today? What’s changed?
Write a Letter or Petition to Someone in Power About an Issue You Care About: Whether it’s a school policy, a local law, or a global concern, take your voice from thought to action.
Have a Conversation With Someone Who Disagrees With You on a Social Issue—And Focus Only on Understanding Their Perspective: Social change requires listening, not just talking.
Volunteer for a Cause That Aligns With Your Values—Even If Just for a Few Hours: Experience what change looks like in action.

Honesty

Go an Entire Day Without Telling a Single Lie—Even Small Ones: No exaggerations, no white lies, no polite half-truths—how does it change your interactions?
Write Down a Hard Truth You’ve Been Avoiding—Then Decide What to Do About It: Sometimes, being honest with ourselves is the hardest part.
Practice Radical Honesty in a Conversation With a Trusted Friend: Express exactly how you feel without sugarcoating—but also without cruelty.
Think of a Time Someone Was Honest With You in a Way That Hurt—But Helped You Grow: How did that honesty shape you?
Identify a Situation Where People Tend to Be Dishonest—Then Challenge That Norm by Speaking the Truth: Social pressure often encourages us to hide things—what happens when you don’t?

Mindfulness

Eat a Meal Without Any Distractions—No Phone, No TV, No Rushing: Focus on the taste, texture, and experience of the food.
Pick a Daily Activity and Slow It Down by Half Its Usual Speed: Whether it’s brushing your teeth, walking, or drinking coffee, notice how it feels to be fully present.
Spend Five Minutes Noticing Every Sensation in Your Body—Without Judgment: Where do you feel tension? Comfort? Energy? Awareness is the first step to mindfulness.
Try a “Mindful Listening” Exercise Where You Focus Fully on the Sounds Around You: Close your eyes and hear what you normally tune out.
Pause Three Extra Seconds Before Reacting to Anything Today: Whether it’s a conversation, an email, or a stressful moment, see what changes when you take time to breathe.

Grace

Forgive Someone for a Small Mistake Without Bringing It Up or Holding It Against Them: Grace means letting go, even when you have the right to be upset.
Give Someone the Benefit of the Doubt Instead of Assuming the Worst: Notice how it changes your perception of others.
Think of a Time You Made a Mistake and Someone Responded With Grace—What Did That Teach You?: How did it affect your ability to grow and learn?
Practice Extending Grace to Yourself by Reframing a Personal Failure as a Learning Experience: How can you treat yourself with the same kindness you offer others?
Express Gratitude to Someone Who Showed You Grace When You Didn’t Deserve It: A simple acknowledgment can be powerful.