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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:
Thread gallery
5
MeetMyCat · 20/04/2023 21:44

Sing in harmony as part of a choir

Original poster
Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:43

@AtomicBlondeRose that is beautiful. Did you already have an idea you were good at art?

I am very keen on the piano so this is really inspiring!

OP posts:
CeciNestPasUnPipi · 20/04/2023 21:42

Total career change: far less lucrative; so much more joy and satisfaction, even while it's full on at times.

Learning to be contentedly single. Three years and counting.

sleepwhenidie · 20/04/2023 21:42

Ah some amazing people here. Fantastic thread. Not so challenging for many people but I learned to play tennis - was big for me and has brought a lot of joy and friends and fun!

Original poster
Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:42

@SnacksToTheMax brilliant, so satisfying!

@Welshy26 they are lovely 🥰

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AtomicBlondeRose · 20/04/2023 21:41

I’m 43 and since lockdown I’ve taught myself to play the piano, draw and paint! I did this is about 20 minutes the other day- preparation for a full colour portrait.

What’s the most amazing / inspiring thing you learned to do after 40?
GrazingSheep · 20/04/2023 21:41

Circus skills !

GeriKellmansUpdo · 20/04/2023 21:41

I wrote and published 3 books with a traditional publisher and am now writing a 4th. Niche books which didn't make me much money, but did to paid opportunities in other fields.

SnacksToTheMax · 20/04/2023 21:41

Fun and silly rather than amazing/inspiring, but: hula hooping! Tricks, dancing, routines, the works.

Tiddlywinkly · 20/04/2023 21:41

Loving these posts btw, you ladies are amazing!

Welshy26 · 20/04/2023 21:40

Incubation period is just 16 -18 days! Heres a pick of one of my lovely quail.

What’s the most amazing / inspiring thing you learned to do after 40?
Tiddlywinkly · 20/04/2023 21:39

Qualifying for a championship place at the London Marathon after taking up running 6 years ago when my youngest turned 1. I'll be 40 when I run it next year.

BunsenBurnerBaby · 20/04/2023 21:38

At 50: learned to run (never ever did before used to skive school in the summer to avoid PE); started lifting weights; started a course to retrain (new profession). Still want to learn tap dancing! Am also more flexible now than I was in my 30s. Oh, and have clothes I feel better in than ever before. So far, 50 is fab (had early menopause so did the worst of that transition my 40s).

Original poster
Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:38

@Welshy26 you win for the most weirdly wonderful! How lovely googles incubation period for quail eggs

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Welshy26 · 20/04/2023 21:37

Bit random mine...but I always wanted to incubate a fertile egg and have my own quail...so I did just that at Christmas and now the proud owner of 9 quail who give me 6 little egg gifts every evening. I love them. They make the most beautiful noises and so easy to look after.

NoraLuka · 20/04/2023 21:37

I’m going to learn to ride a motorbike (I had a thread about it on here a few days ago and the verdict was unanimously go for it!). I haven’t started yet because I’m still figuring out where to go to learn but it’s going to happen!

Original poster
Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:37

@StarDolphins solidarity - that’s the sort of place I was hoping to start. It’ll be a veg plot next year, an orchard the next….😁

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Original poster
Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:35

@Dyslexicwonder double points for parenting teens.

Strong votes for not giving two fucks.

All of you doing degrees are smashing it!

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DontMakeMeSayItTwice · 20/04/2023 21:34

Okaaaay.......My husband taught me (I trust him with my life, obviously), on a week's holiday to Cyprus. I couldn't believe myself! Yes, I love it.

StarDolphins · 20/04/2023 21:34

Here’s you lot with your amazing accomplishments….

I thought I was great for ‘thinking’ I might read up on growing my own lettuce so I don’t have to go to the shop every3 days for fresh lettuce.

I need to try harder.

Oatsamazing · 20/04/2023 21:34

I learnt to operate a cherry picker at work (as a gardener) so i can prune climbing shrubs on the buildings. It's really fun whizzing around up high Grin

winkywankie · 20/04/2023 21:33

Not give a fuck about what people say or think about me.

Bitterestpil · 20/04/2023 21:33

Graduated at 44

Dyslexicwonder · 20/04/2023 21:33

Running long distances, getting my teeth fixed and looking after them. Does parenting teens count ?

McConkeysPlate · 20/04/2023 21:33

I am mid 40’s and currently in the middle of a biochemistry degree!