Give me 10 new things to try that'll open up neural pathways in the brain!

[CharlotteOwlFace]

Or even just some ideas that will challenge me for the rest of the year

I've decided to do something different for the next 10 months. Something to take me out of my comfort zone and challenge me a bit.

A new skill every month

I've already mastered how to hula hoop and I'm currently reading something that I wouldn't normally ever consider

Thinking about learning how to do a Rubik's cube.

Any suggestions please?

Definite no to a language or a sport. Purely because I would like to be able to master it (or at least get the hang of it!) within the month

Thanks in advance

Geoguessr , just the free version gives you 5 goes a day, I’ve stumbled across some amazing looking places.

This sounds fun OP.

Do you actually want to open up neural pathways, or is that just your way of saying you want to try new things? Because the best thing for neural pathways is exercise, so you may have to take up a sport after all if that's your goal

I started trying to learn all the capitals. I had no clue there were so many!
I felt defeated before I really began but, loving this thread, so I shall give it another go.

Loving these ideas. Brilliant thread OP.

Weaving (on a loom), basket making, dry stone dyking, pottery, life drawing, rambling, photography, mushroom picking, wine tasting, perfume making, some kind of volunteering, C25K, yoga every day for a month: Yoga with Adriene does a month long yoga camp on youtube every January which is suitable for beginners.

@NCSQ that's a very good question!

I suppose the answer is I want to do something that I have never done before in the Hope that it'll A feel like a small achievement, no matter how silly the 'task' and B it'll somehow boost the odd brain cell

Some things I know I can't do. So drawing for example or painting - I honestly couldn't write 'arse' on a wall. So for me, it's pointless because with all the practice in the world, I'll still produce something a 5 year old wouldn't be proud of!

If so you need to watch Jack Sucks at Geography on youtube. My kids love him.

Try the book 'drawing on the right side of the brain'. Upcycle and craft around the house.

Listen to new music and sing to old music.
Learn a new instrument if you can afford.

Learn coding...codeacademy is great

Try a dance class. I took up tap and commercial dancing a few years ago, it's as much a mental workout as it is a physical workout. Particularly tap as every step has a name and when the teacher rattles off what combination we're doing I really have to think!

www.speedcube.com.au for learning the rubix cube. Colour pics showing the different algorithms for the different set moves. Took me a week to learn it so I could do it without looking and practicing til it 'stuck'. If you can solve one side by looking, and can also line up the right colours around the edge, then there are only 6 different sets of moves you need to solve it.

Gets me kudos from my junior school class!

Minecraft.

@VeryLittleBrain For quizzes on capital cities or countries, I recommend Seterra (web or app).

Chess?

kendamo
handstands

You can't master BSL in a month. You'd be lucky if you were fluent after 5 years.

Jewelry making?

Love this thread, and OP's idea of learning new stuff. Feeling inspired, thank you!

I think no to sign language, as interesting as I think it sounds. I wouldn't be able to come even close to mastering it in a month

I played animal crossing to help with my cognitive function, was my kids idea as it is not fast paced.

Computer games are good for this, hand eye coordination.

Pocky ball or reflex ball.

Tai chi/qigong.

Fimo/modelling clay.

Jewellery making.

Clothes making, cutting out patterns etc..

A book club, reading plus talking to people about what you have read will help maintain memory and social interaction is good for cognitive function.

Print making.

Visiting new places.

Anything new that you have never done before will do.

Orienteering

I took up martial arts after a neurological condition left my coordination and memory in poor condition. Although I'll never be particularly good, it has done wonders.

@DrMadelineMaxwell thanks - I will use that to learn! I can indeed to one side very easily and sometimes two sides but then I'm defeated - and I know it's an algorithm!

@Choconuttolata ha, re the book club! I have an online one that has 50k members so that's out as a new thing as I'm a bit booked out 😝

I don't even know what coding is! Well I sort of do. I go on a computer and I make a stick man move? That sort of thing?

Not really challenging but different, what about a flotation tank session? That's on my list to do this year!
Along with learning a new recipe every month

@Rebel2 good one! Never done that before so I'll add to the list