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

Press-ups, burpees and running 5k. I was very unsporty at school.

Also, not exactly a new skill, but I did write a book after the age of 40 and got it published (not self published) Just the one, but I was glad to have done it.

Patchwork and quilting can be a very expensive hobby though!

I think Lockdown has allowed a lot of us to find whole new things we didn't know we can do. I always thought I was a terrible gardener, but it turned out I just didn't really have the time to develop the interest previously and now I make the time. I learned basic Spanish and have recently been to a Spanish speaking country and actually chatted quite well, although I also randomly started speaking French sometimes as got confused between the two and luckily, they spoke French too so it was like Espangcais-ish. 😀

Did an MBA while having a last baby at 40 and set up a consultancy business. Learned to play the piano with my daughter when she was 5, achieved my scuba diving PADI qualification, became a really good gardener, got involved with animal welfare and led a successful campaign to have several laws changed. Loved doing it all.

I got my kids names tattooed on my wrists after years of talking about it. I'm booked in to get my husbands name, my grandsons name and one in memory of my Dad who I sadly lost to cancer. I also got more piercings and planning on more. I'm nearly 50 but life is for living, my Dad taught me that with him being taken so young.

This thread is brilliant! I’m yet to get there but this is inspiring me.
Probably going to buy a quail egg @Welshy26 !

Started a fulltime modern languages degree at 39. Graduated at 43.
Started piano lessons at 51 (I'm very mediocre, not at all musical, but it's good for keeping the brain elastic)

I did it through the National Extension College, so all distance learning. My local council entered me for the exams.

If money / work / family life was no object, I'd do a degree in this subject in a heartbeat. Loved it.

I did the following -

Retrained into a new career
Bake fresh naan bread now
Kayaking
Did an astrobiology course just out of interest
DIY - so far I've sanded and revarnished furniture, cleaned up redone grout, repainted the bathroom

I'm not quite 40 but I've decided this is the year I'm going to learn to sail. I've not actually done it yet tho

I went to college, got a qualification which enabled me to get a new job in a totally different field of work than what I had been doing and I’m loving it! Best move ever!

I'm 44 and after 40 had a second baby and have studied for my second degree! (Finish in 7wks) all whilst working full time.

I did my first arena eventing clinic on my young horse age 49. Stuff of dreams especially as I didn’t have ponies as a child. I whooped after every jump and didn’t care what I looked like. My horse got a banana afterwards (they are his favourite) and much praise. My daughter videoed it and I bored my non-horsey family with EVERY single clip on group chat and then made a reel on my Facebook page probably boring all my friends too. It had 3,000 views of which 2,999 were likely me rewatching it grinning to myself. I’m super proud as I’ve had my horse from a foal and it feels extra special achieving this for the first time for both of us. In fact I’m just going to watch it again…

Learning to play the piano - mid 50s. Loving it, but bloody hard!

I’ve learned a new alphabet over the last year, and can converse a bit in a language I couldn’t speak at all before that. Quite pleased with that.

I've earned a diploma in aromatherapy but more importantly I've learned to say 'no' to people who always took me for granted. Liberating

I found an exercise routine that I genuinely enjoy and look forward to. It’s a revelation that exercise can be done because it feels good, not as punishment for your body.

I also learned to ski. I had to overcome a lot of anxiety to do so, and it’s hard not to slink off to the lodge when small children are whizzing past you on the easy hills. But I decided not to care and now find it so enjoyable and a great way to appreciate the long winters where we live. It’s also special time with my children, or at least it is on the chair lifts. After that I usually just have to hope that they’ll wait for me at the bottom.

I was in a pretty low place overall 10 years ago. A friend persuaded me to start violin teaching, I've loved it and studied how to do it well. I now have a very different perspective on what my playing ability was like in my teens, as I can see how well taught I was (lots of things I was clearly taught to do that I didn't realise I'd learnt, just do). Some of my students are becoming quite good now, but most of all I just enjoy teaching, I feel better after lessons even if I'm having a bad day.

And now, coming up to 50, I've also started to resurrect a career that I thought I'd lost after my youngest was born, nearly 18 years ago. I've now got a dream of part-time employment combined with part-time teaching, not got there yet but it's looking plausible.

Love this thread

While an over 40s football team for normal football is unlikely, I'm sure you will find a local ladies' team . There will be youngsters, but don't let that put you off. Otherwise, walking football may be an option if fitness is an issue. 😉

Learned to pillion on a motorbike - I’m disabled and was 62 when started. Recently took up watercolour painting and doing really well!

I quit a profession that I had studied for years for, and worked in for 20+ years to completely retrain, doing a year post grad studying and then on to a new career at 50.

Where did you do your A Level Joan?

This is an inspiring thread!

Pole dancing. I'm deeply unfit and quite overweight, but have found a form of exercise I absolutely love. It's done absolute wonders for my confidence, and I might not be great at it, but it's still one my favourite things in life!