I want to try 12 new things this year

[morejumpingfrogs]

Last year was a bit blah, for various reasons. So, to change things up a bit this year, one of my new year's resolutions is to try one new thing a month. I'm limited to five hours during school days, which has ruled out a six hour wet felt bowl making course I wanted to go on, as well as learning to throw an axe (which I was seriously tempted by) once you add in travel time. But I'm sure there are loads of other things out there I could do.

So far my list has -

visit the Mary Rose museum - local-ish to me and when I went (eons ago) I saw the Victory and the Warrior but the Mary Rose museum was being revamped, and I think it's about time I made the effort to finish the set

a massage - not new as such, just new to the post children me, so I think that counts (my children are both teenagers)

trying a new exercise class at my gym - a very January type goal I thought

a candle making course

… and my inspiration has dried up.

Any ideas anyone? I'd also like ideas for new things I could try at home, not cooking because we're quite adventurous with trying new meals, but other ideas would be most welcome

Most universities do free public lectures. The nearest to me offers at least a monthly one from the ethics dept in the daytime eg prison reform, academisation of schools. Also free music events.

Watch an epic movie youve never seen but everybody else has E.g.Gone With The Wind, Dr Zhivago, Its a Wonderful Life (as examples)

Try a clay pigeon shoot.

Look out for sailing club open days at Easter with free taster sessions for dinghy sailing. They'll just take you for a ride so not too energetic 😁

Paint a picture
Learn quantum physics
Learn how to code
Read a book set in a country you’d like to know more about

Learn how to chop food really fast. This was on my list of things to do when I retired six years ago. Still not done it.

outdoor swimming. I’m a lido member & I love swimming in winter.

Painting? Drawing .? Photography? A choir;?

Have added Sophie's World to the philosophy month, learning to juggle and knife skills (in the kitchen that is, not throwing like at the circus). Going to pass on the quantum physics though

Another one - I want to learn how to replace the pretty but useless taps on our bathroom sink. The pipework is all quite accessible, so I'm thinking I'd be able to have a go. Maybe this is a bit ambitious, but I'm going to watch a good few youtube videos and see. I do know from prior less than successful experience on other jobs that the right tools matter!

Learn to crochet

The Mary Rose visitor center is incredible, so well worth going. I love Portsmouth so much, we go twice a year now. A walk along the seafront to Southsea castle is also lovely.

Swim in the sea: unless it's something you do regularly anyway😜

I think if you have lots of free time you have a moral imperative to use some of that time for the greater good rather than just selfish pursuits.

There are so many voluntary organisations who struggle to recruit volunteers, so many community projects...

I’d feel guilty if I wasn’t giving something back...

As it happens, I have had a volunteer position working with severe SN children for almost two years now and will be continuing with that for the foreseeable future. It's about an hour every school day and a bit of a busman's holiday, but hey ho.

I started this thread because I'm looking for something completely different, just for me - purely selfish in fact! - to add a bit of sparkle to my everyday life. I read a book recently that said the best route to happiness is a balance of pleasurable and purposeful pursuits, hence why I wanted a mix of goals for each month of this year.

Oh, I no sooner pressed post than I realised that probably wasn't directed at me, Verily1. Sorry!

For exercise you could try aerial arts - that gives you silks, pole, aerial hoop
Or aerial yoga?

It's hard to recommend stuff without knowing how much cash is available. Saying things like 'fly in a helicopter' might be out of a lot of people's price ranges and it's been lovely to read about things that can be done without a great input of cash!

Agreed Zaphodsotherhead, I don't mind paying out a bit for some things, but I can't do that every month!

I'm still a bit regretful about that axe throwing course - maybe when DH has a week off ...

Do the axe throwing! I’ve done it through being a Cub leader and it’s great fun. Turns out I’m quite good at it too.

I've decided to make an effort try new things as well. I started making soap and shampoo bars last month as DH bought me all necessary stuff as a birthday gift - I like trying different oils and herby bits etc.

Tomorrow I'm trying a choir for the first time - it's for people who enjoy singing but aren't particularly skilled at it, so I should be okay (Tuneless Choir).

Later I'm planning a needle-felting day course where you make a portrait of your dog's face and a mosaic class. I like to do craft stuff at home but think a day course will give me a boost and more motivation.

I like to go to the cinema by myself sometimes, it's relaxing to sit in the dark and not think about anything - so if there's no one near you it's easily doable during school hours.

DH did axe throwing before Xmas and really enjoyed it, said it's tricky and the people who scored most highly in the competition at the end weren't those you'd expect to, sounds like it can be an unexpected talent!

DD has outgrown/got bored with a couple of her hobbies and fancies trying a martial art and archery - so instead of sitting and waiting I might have a go alongside her.

There's so many options but for me the biggest hurdle is myself, making the effort to decide and arrange something - especially in Winter when I just want to hibernate.

I did this too, I wrote ideas down in a jar and picked one out each month, which made it more interesting as I didn't know what I would be doing. I am going to a sushi making workshop soon. I tried doing a Bob Ross painting from YouTube. I started bullet journaling. Learned a bit of a language. I got some plants and started growing my own fruit, which I kept up. I tried a pottery making class. In fact, a lot of the hobbies I now have came from that year. My favourite two were swimming with sharks and going to circus school, but those aren't so easy, especially with the school hours limit.

Belly dancing the costumes are amazing

Tree hugging!

Volunteer somewhere? Join the WI?

Sorry missed your reply yesterday

NotTheMrMenAgain "There's so many options but for me the biggest hurdle is myself, making the effort to decide and arrange something - especially in Winter when I just want to hibernate."

This! The way last year turned out, I ended up wanting to hibernate ALL the time, which is why I need inspiration to force myself to have a better year this year.

Archery and belly dancing going on the list - I should be able to find a local class, and will look more closely for a local axe throwing session.

BarbedBloom "My favourite ... swimming with sharks but those aren't so easy, especially with the school hours limit." And I have a sudden vision of me flying to an exotic location for a quick dip in the ocean one morning before flying back, arriving effortlessly, if with slightly damp hair, in time for end of day at the school gate

Seriously though, thanks to everyone for your inspiration It's going to be fun working through these this year!