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!

We got a keyboard for Christmas - have ordered some beginner music (Disney mainly!) and I intend to incorporate piano lessons into the homeschooling rota for the kids. I can’t really play but I can read music (slowly) so I can at least teach them that.

I started a degree in September - it's honestly like a bit of normality in my world!

I do it alongside my PT job.

Chess

I have been learning embroidery through French mango studios free stitch alongs. I’m not stitching along as I’m still on her first one and she’s done 4 now but loving it.
Paper quilling? Could do next years xmas cards in advance!

I have been using Michel Thomas to learn French.
Loving it

@justsayso - take up sewing and you'll never be bored (or have any money) again! 😂

I had never sewed before, but I couldn't get any masks last March so bought a basic sewing machine on Amazon and started making my own. Over time I branched out and made my 2 DDs an entire summer wardrobe as well as toys and cushion covers, etc. I also made about 20 pairs of PJs and am beginning to create my own little patterns.

It's the best thing I've ever done and I'd never have learnt this new skill without Covid.

I'm playing a lot of Backgammon online. I used to play it a long time ago with family.
I found my old board but as I live alone have had no-one to play with so I downloaded an App & now play online.
I'm crap but am enjoying it. Am going to download a Whist App as well!

My husband taught himself guitar from scratch and is amazing now. I just got fat and drunk and spent time in the hot tub!

I've become highly skilled in playing the Roblox Spider game on my phone and Ipad

I made a lockdown crochet blanket in the first lockdown. Reading this thread with interest to pick a hobby for this one.

I have learned sculpting with Polymer clay, not so expensive and good progresses to be made.
I have also taken up crocheting, and it is very relaxing and surprisingly easy!

Crochet. Or if you're into painting try botanical art. There's hundreds of videos on YouTube. Coloured pencil work too if you've not tried it. That's quite difficult. I thought it would be easy. I'm going to have a go at entre lac knitting. It gives the impression of being woven. Saw it years ago in a knitting magazine.

There will be so many crocheted family blankets after 2021!

Do Yoga with Adriene 30 days of yoga. This year's one is called Breath.

Also do couch to 5k if you're not a runner already.

I did a bit of origami during last lockdown, and loads of baking until I realised I was gaining weight from eating it all

I would really recommend sugarcraft as a hobby. Buy lots of blocks of cheap sugarpaste from the supermarket. Then buy a pot of tylo (turns it into modelling paste when you mix it in), some food colouring and a set of tools from one of the cake stuff suppliers like Vanilla Valley and follow tutorials on youtube - Zoe's Fancy Cakes is brilliant, very easy to follow. It's very satisfying and really good fun.

If you enjoy it, you could also try sugar flowers which requires a more expensive type of paste and a few more tools but you can produce really beautiful work with a bit of practice.

Crochet! It kept me (sort of) sane. Buying wool is addictive and I've made loads of cool things. Loads of tutorials on YouTube. Very calming and soothing.

Learn how to stay in bed as long as possible and have 1 or 2 things to do in your day.

Sometimes the only things I do in a whole day are make food, wash up after that food, tidy up the living rooms and go for a walk, if the weather's not too bad. That's it.

But as I've been living with ME/CFS for 7 years since diagnosis, that's my normal.

Embroidery. I'm doing a year in stitch which is super-easy and you can do it at any level. Just get a hoop, needle, fabric and thread. Then doodle any stitches you like, a little bit every day.

I didn't learn any new skills during the first lockdown, this time will be different! I'm going to try my hands at a few different things and see what sticks. I'd love to be able to make my own clothes, or a bit of woodwork or learn the basics of a new language. I'd love to learn more about coding and presentation skills. I'm going to try a bunch of different things and go from there.

Wine tasting!

always wanted to learn sign language so thanks for the link.Another vote for gardening.inexpensive and lovely flowers or herbs for spring.😁

I'm thinking about BSL...I think it could be a useful skill to have.

I would love to learn calligraphy. Can someone point me towards the sources I can learn from. Realistically, this won't be possible as I work in hospital but something to try and take my mind off work when I am home.

A new language, especially if there is a country you visit regularly in normal times and plan to do so again. Always appreciated (well except in Belgium if you 'accidentally' speak the wrong one).

As you have a sewing machine how about combining your painting with freestyle machine embroidery? The results can be amazing and there are lots of tutorials online.

Not a skill but how about penpalling? There's something lovely about getting letters.