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Original poster

What’s the most amazing / inspiring thing you learned to do after 40?

191 replies

Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:23

Ok, so not an AIBU but posting here for lighthearted traffic. Just turned 40 and feeling as flat as a pancake. Would love to hear some of the wonderful (and weird) things you’ve learned to do after 40 to give me a bit of a lift. It might be to do a handstand, learn a language, to swim, run, cook a new dish - anything you are proud of. Go!

OP posts:
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Arraminta · 09/04/2024 21:58

I learned needlepoint or counted cross stitch. I find it incredibly soothing and I spend far too much money on gorgeous silks and patterns from Etsy. I have quite the selection of elegant embroidery scissors, hoops and thimbles. Next year I want to start learning embroidery, especially gold work, and there's a few courses I'm looking at.

Original poster
Okaaaay · 09/04/2024 21:49

@xsquared did you get a marathon spot?

OP posts:
Original poster
Okaaaay · 09/04/2024 21:47

It’s nearly a year since I started this thread and I wanted to give a little update (and see if anyone inspired by the thread made any changes 😊).

Inspired by you wonderful lot, I bought a piano for my 40th and have been having lessons for 6 months. And I’m good!! (relative to not being able to play at all that is 😆). Most importantly, I love it - it makes me happy and so satisfied. Thank you for all for your inspiration, loved this thread.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 22/04/2023 01:18

We went to Butlins for my 40th ( DC were 6.6 yo and 4yo so mainly for them)

I learned how to spin a plate GrinLife Changing

Rosesandstars · 22/04/2023 01:10

Wenfy · 20/04/2023 21:48

  1. i got my degree
  2. I had a baby
  3. i learned how to code
  4. then because I had years of experience in my industry but in another area I walked into a 6 figure paying STEM consultancy role.

Wow!

Which degree did you do?

neverendinglauaundry · 21/04/2023 23:35

I graduated from a masters degree at 40 and changed careers.
I'm now 45 & looking for the next thing

Nonamenoplacetogo · 21/04/2023 20:37

Ran a half marathon, full marathon in a couple of months. Very slow and quite fat but as I've also learnt to not give a fuck then it's win win Smile

scruffiee · 21/04/2023 10:18

Went to university, got a degree and am now a high earner in terms of the uk.

NotHangingAround · 21/04/2023 09:13

Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 23:14

@NotHangingAround that is amazing, congratulations 🎉

Thank you so much!

OriginalFloorboards · 21/04/2023 09:07

Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 22:48

@OriginalFloorboards i’d watch your videos, what a buzz and how proud you must be.

You can do anything. Don’t feel flat. You are just coming into your own at 40. I’m 50 now and I have stage 4 endometriosis on organs and bowel (awaiting major surgery) and some days are excruciating but that day was awesome. I bought him as a foal age 44, having never raised one before (had a pre-made horse before all ready to hop on and ride away). He was probably my mid-life crisis and what a wonderful soul he is. And yes, I’ll be likely still mucking out at 70 but what a great way to keep fit. So many inspirational people out there on this thread. Love it!

squashedalmondcroissant · 21/04/2023 07:53

Not quite 40 but learned to roller skate! It's so much fun, great exercise and I'm adding loads of new skills 😁

SunshineLollipopsAndRainbows · 21/04/2023 07:45

Started karate at age 45 & was well on my way to brown belt when I stopped. Now totally unfit again & several stone overweight - I really miss how my body looked when I was training.

HighlandCowbag · 21/04/2023 07:43

I'm 3rd year in a 4 year degree in English and Philosophy. Never went to uni when I was younger and I fucking love it. I'm 45 now.

Also dd decided she no longer wanted to ride the pony we had bought as a youngster for her so after 25 years of not riding I broke her in and ride her myself. Have had lessons and everything 😁.

Also I have learned to be selfish and sometimes put my needs before everyone else. I needed to to be able to do uni and ride and keep on top of the rest of the shit that comes with having dcs and a dh and a house. Being selfish and not giving a shit is liberating as fuck.

NotHangingAround · 21/04/2023 07:39

xsquared · 21/04/2023 00:15

Running.

I used to jog the same 4 mile route, maybe twice or three times a week at most.

In 2021, I ran longer and explored new routes as a way of managing depression

In 2022, I ran the Great North Run for Mind.

On New Year's day, I entered Manchester Marathon on a whim, probably egged on by my much faster running buddy.

Last Sunday, my official time at the finish line was 3:44:28.

I will try entering for The London Marathon again for next year.

that is SO fast. i am in awe.

NotHangingAround · 21/04/2023 07:37

emsie12345 · 20/04/2023 22:54

Witchcraft

tell us more!!!

Sockloon · 21/04/2023 05:08

Working shitty manual low paid jobs all my life, went to collage relearning maths and English, followed by going to university got my science based Bsc Hons then Masters degrees and now have a much better standard of living and also learned to drive this was at 43+.

TanteRose · 21/04/2023 04:10

Started going to music festivals on my own in my forties - and gigs too! Much prefer going by myself, tbh.

I also learned to snowboard just before I turned 50 (I’m pretty rubbish at it, but I don’t mind - the snow and mountains are lovely)

GobbieMaggie · 21/04/2023 03:57

Photography, only using my mobile phone. My husband gave me, “ Smart Phone Smart Photography “ by Jo Bradford.

It’s been an inspiration. I’ve been to a few photographic exhibitions in London and one in Paris.

I love old photographs too, especially of places I know.

emptythelitterbox · 21/04/2023 03:37

Working on a PhD at 60.

weegiemum · 21/04/2023 03:28

For my 40th I learned to Scuba dive and speak Spanish. Both have gone a bit rusty now (I'm 52) so I'd have to redo them if I wanted to take it up again, which I'm quite prepared to do!

For my 50th I'm retraining as a counsellor. I was a secondary teacher but had to stop when my health deteriorated 11 years ago, so a job in the warm sitting down appeals and I've been listening to people all my life for one reason or another (from when I was asked to volunteer to sit on the "friendship bench" at school when I was 6).

It's never too late to do something you love!

DPotter · 21/04/2023 03:04

T'ai Chi and trained as an instructor too

FinnsLeftSpoon · 21/04/2023 02:17

Have had four books published since I was 40.
Started running in my 50s, and now run at least 3 miles five days a week. I still hope to do a half-marathon sometime soon but in the meantime I am bloody fast for my age and very fit.

Catsmere · 21/04/2023 01:31

Also learned to knit in my late 40s. Not amazing or unusual but it gives me a lot of pleasure to be wearing my own jumpers (and more reason to curse a lingering summer, lol. Go away! I want to wear knitwear!)

Catsmere · 21/04/2023 01:28

Learned to drive in my late 50s. I’m soon to turn 60 and am on P plates.

cabbagesandkingsandbeeswax · 21/04/2023 00:45

SInce I was 40 I have:

Been depressed
Been to therapy
Taken medication for depression
Left job I had been doing for 20 years
Started a business (no business experience before so a whole new learning curve is involved in this!)
Carried on and will hopefully finish soon a BA degree done via distance learning.

Feel a whole lot more confident and happy. Absolutely not depressed anymore.