Almost Six in Ten Brits Feel Stuck in a Rut – And Why 2026 Is the Year of “Intentional Firsts”

Almost SIX in ten Britons (57%) feel stuck in a rut, with as many as 43% having done the same routine of going to work, coming home, watching  telly and then going to bed for YEARS.

As many as 78% feel tired of always playing it safe, according to the nationwide survey of 2,000 British adults by TUI.

A further 46% find the current global landscape overwhelming, with 58% wishing they could throw caution to the wind and mix things up a bit.

In fact, as many as 49% would like to reclaim their sense of adventure in 2026, while half (50%) feel like this year should be about spontaneity and self-discovery, swapping ‘someday’ for ‘why not?’.

And with 52% seeking new experiences over the usual grind, a new trend of ‘intentional firsts’ is emerging as more than two thirds (67%) are deliberately chasing new pursuits that they’ve never done.

Topping the list was booking the holiday of a lifetime, to somewhere new (56%), followed by taking up a new hobby or interest (22%) or learning a new language (17%).

For some, these ‘firsts’ include getting the TATTOO they’ve always wanted (14%), while 10% say they will finally get the DOG they’ve always wished for. From big to small, many ‘firsts’ Brits have planned for 2026 are simple pleasures they’ve always wanted but never prioritised, while others involve long-held ambitions or wild bucket-list dreams.

Brits will also get busy launching news businesses (11%), going cold water swimming (8%), learning to salsa dance (6%) or getting a dramatic new hairstyle or hair colour (5%).

Around one in twenty even have plans to go on blind date, try a bungee jump or skydive, have a digital detox or attempt a viral TikTok trend.

And travel plays a key role in our lust for adventure, with as many as 83% planning to travel somewhere completely new this year – with Japan topping the list (30%) followed by New York (29%) and The Maldives (24%).

TUI have teamed up with neurology doctor and neuroscientist Dr Faye Begeti, who says the findings have powerful implications for brain health.

These findings tap into people’s instinct for ‘firsts’ which echo something neuroscience has long understood – trying something for the first time is incredibly powerful for the brain. The routines of everyday life can leave us stuck in autopilot mode: same commute, same decisions, same neural pathways firing. It’s efficient, but it’s not stimulating because we’re relying on the same circuits over and over again.

“The brain doesn’t thrive on repetition; it thrives on novelty and challenge.

“Challenging ourselves to do something unfamiliar – whether it’s learning a new skill or taking a bold adventure – strengthens our neural connections and helps build cognitive reserve which supports long-term brain health.”

TUI, who commissioned the research, are encouraging the nation to bite the bullet and embrace ‘intentional firsts’ in 2026. More than just new experiences, these purposeful choices are a conscious pursuit of joy – a deliberate shift toward optimism in challenging times. In fact, the leading travel brand is predicting a year of ‘never done this before’ holiday firsts where we pack our bags for something completely new.

Neil Swanson, Managing Director at TUI UK&I comments, “This research shows almost six in ten Brits feel stuck in rut, but there is a clear shift at play as people get ready to reclaim their sense of adventure and find an antidote to uncertainty through exciting new experiences.  We can forecast some interesting holiday choices ahead.  From a surge in hobby and skill-based holidays, to milestone getaways to mark significant life events from divorces to empty nesting, to embracing bucket list dreams our ‘firsts forecasts’ shows an appetite to chase first-time travel experiences like never before.

NEUROLOGY DOCTOR AND NEUROSCIENTIST DR FAYE BEGETI’S TOP TIPS FOR TRYING SOMETHING NEW THIS YEAR:

1. MOVE YOUR BODY IN A NEW WAY – Try a skill-based activity like salsa dancing or paddleboarding. Exercise triggers the release of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein that supports brain cells and reduces age-related damage. Activities that require coordination and learning a new skill engage the brain far more than repetitive workouts. Setting an ambitious goal, like training for a half-marathon, can also create momentum to push yourself further.
2. BOOK A HOLIDAY YOU’VE NEVER TAKEN BEFORE – Travel is one of the most powerful ways to stimulate the brain. New places, languages and routines activate neuroplasticity – the process of forming new neural connections. Even a solo trip or visiting a country you can’t yet place on a map can pull the brain out of autopilot mode.
3. LEARN A LANGUAGE, EVEN JUST A FEW PHRASES – Give your brain a serious workout by learning a new language. A major study published in Nature Aging of 86,000 adults found that bilingual people show slower biological ageing. One explanation is that switching between words and sounds keeps attention and memory networks active active – systems that naturally weaken with age. You don’t need to be fluent – even practising a few phrases before a trip or trying them out abroad is enough to spark these benefits.
4. GET OUTDOORS AND TRY NATURE FIRSTS – Spend time in nature to reset your brain. Nature has a calming effect on the amygdala – the part of the brain that processes stress. Big adventures like wild camping or cold-water swimming work wonders, but even small doses – like planting a vegetable garden – make a measurable difference.
5. STRENGTHEN SOCIAL BONDS – Strong social bonds are one of the best predictors of long-term brain health – positive interactions activate networks that help us interpret emotions, form memories, and regulate responses. Make those bonds even stronger by sharing firsts together: host a dinner with a cuisine none of you have tried, book a group trip to a new destination, or take a pottery class as a team. New experiences with friends or in group settings add an extra layer of stimulation by engaging learning and social networks at the same time.

26 WAYS BRITS PLAN TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL IN 2026

1. Book the holiday of a lifetime (to somewhere you’ve never been) 54%

2. Take up a new hobby you’ve always wanted to try   22%

3. Learn a new language       17%

4. Take a solo trip abroad       15%

5. Start a side hustle/passion project     14%

6. Get a tattoo        14%

7. Go to a music festival       13%

8. Go on a wellness retreat      12%

9. Launch a business       11%

10. Get the dog you’ve always wanted     10%

11. Write a novel        9%

12. Book a break to mark a milestone     8%

13. Try wild swimming       8%

14. Learn to play a musical instrument     7%

15. Take up meditation or breathwork     7%

16. Go wild camping       7%

17. Learn to salsa dance       6%

18. Go on a blind date       6%

19. Get a dramatic new hairstyle or colour     5%

20. Try a digital detox        4%

21. Go skydiving or bungee jumping      4%

22. Attempt a viral TikTok challenge      4%

23. Join a local sports team       3%

24. Try stand-up paddleboarding      3%

25. Train for a marathon       3%

26.  Learn to DJ        2%

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