To ask you to suggest a new skill to lean in lockdown

[justsayso]

Obviously the first time round there was a bit of a 'blitz spirit' going on, and I know some people used the time to develop a new skill or learn something. I didn't! I worked all the way through as did many others, but as the nights are long and lockdown is going to drag this time around I wondered if anyone had any suggestions of a fun skill or new talent to develop?
I run, badly but make myself go. I enjoy painting and printmaking, but have done quite a bit of this recently so am looking to branch out.
What have people learned recently or what can people do that they're proud of?
Instrument? New language? Yoga pose? Juggling? Chess? Please don't say chess!

DD is learning to play the ukele. Having online lessons once a fortnight, having a real person teaching her makes it more fun.
It's quite an easy instrument to pick up.

Thanks for the ideas all and sounds like others are thinking of picking up a new skill too.
I'm thinking seeing again - I've got a machine and we really need some new curtains, so that's a month of evenings gone! I also have a catapult and terrible aim so might start practicing that, you never know when we might need to start hunter gathering at this rate I think it would be a useful skill...

I learnt to do fair isle knitting last time round with this company's online classes: www.teaandcrafting.co.uk/ Now getting through WFH wrapped in my newly knitted legwarmers and fingerless mittens! They have lots of options including crochet, book binding and soap making and will send out kits with whatever you need for the class.

Crochet! (i did download chess after watching Queen’s Gambit!🤣)

Darts

Pole vaulting.

Hula-hooping!
Lots of inspirational YouTube videos of people's one year journey from nothing to skilled with a hoop.

I’m learning embroidery via YouTube when the kids are asleep and I need to give myself an hour of me time so I don’t lose my marbles completely. I’m also making a pom pom wall hanging, it’s nice and easy and can knock out a few pom poms in 10 mins.

@Scarby9

Hula-hooping! Lots of inspirational YouTube videos of people's one year journey from nothing to skilled with a hoop.

oh yes! I ended up watching the hula hooping journeys following on from the jump rope ones.

Spelling?

@randomer

Spelling?

Oh dear.

@PurpleDaisies

Another vote for British sign language.

I see Doncaster Deaf Trust appear to be still running their free online level 1 course .

I am trying to learn the skill of keeping my house in some kind of order.

OP I know you said branching out from art but I'm an artist (oils and acrylics) , if anyone else is looking for some pointers of how to get started feel free to drop me a msg

As for yourself OP, I recently took up knitting, I got a kit. It's been not to tricky too self teach but I like that my phone goes to the side when I'm doing my knitting.

Good luck 🍀

Critical thinking skills.
Udemy, coursera edX
anything useful relating to your work - if you actually like your career.

knitting is easy and fun. Verypink has great youtube videos

First lockdown I bought the British Sign Language course but I need to go back to it and work through it properly. DH tried to learn Python.

Second lockdown I learnt how to crochet (still learning). DH is trying to learn guitar.

I did a lot of cross-stitch in the first lockdown. I think lots did because all the pattern sites had notices about high demand and delays in shipping.

This time around I'm addicted to a stupid game on my phone...

Crochet is really good as you can learn it very quickly, if you make a mistake, it is easy to sort (unlike knitting where you end up with a hole!!!!) You also get results VERY quick!

Try Paul Noble's language courses on Audible. Best language method I have found. I do 30 minutes before bed. I also have an online Spanish tutor I found on Tinder. Only time Tinder has ever been useful.

There are some courses on reed.co.uk

I started to learn Italian, took up diamond painting and dressmaking.

Another vote for BSL especially if you work in a customer focused role or with a lot of people. It’s really valuable and available for super cheap / pay what you can!

Mosaics

Sewing, quilting, and dressmaking are all easy and exciting skills to learn. Don’t buy a cheap all plastic new machine. Check Facebook marketplace, eBay, or Gumtree for good older Singers, Janome, Brother, or Bernina machines. If you decide you want to do dressmaking, find a machine with a one step buttonhole. It’s much easier.

I was thinking this exact thing yesterday after having a slight emotional breakdown about going into lockdown again. I need something that keeps me away from scrolliny mindlessly through my phone and makes me feel like I've achieved something but also that I can do with 2 small people in my charge and working... languages, musical instruments and even reading require too much time and concentration I think.

Love the idea of calligraphy.

I did do a little simple hand sewing last time as I don't have a machine and it was very satisfying. I mostly did DIY type stuff last time round and some fitness. I also learned how to make some characters for cakes by following YouTube videos and made cake toppers for a few friends and family (gruffalo etc).