To ask if you developed a new skill/hobby that changed your life after 30

[raringtogo354]

I'm interested to hear about your skills and hobbies and if they gave you a new lease of life/turned things around for you. I'm in my 30s and feel stuck in a rut and have done so for a few years now. Absolutely not asking for a pity party here, but I don't feel like there is anything I am good at. Sure I'm okay a bits and pieces, but would like to channel my energy into something where I can later on down the line say 'It's taken me years to learn XXX'.

As a youngster I did very well academically but have taken a route in life where my degree is no longer useful or indeed of interest to me. I had a bit of a moment this morning where I thought, in a dinner party scenario, there really isn't much I can say about myself and don't feel like there is a lot to me and I really want to change things.

Explaining to my DH this morning, I want something to work at in life, something that I love. I want to put the hours into something physical and creative - which is where I thought maybe I could learn an instrument.

Has anyone else started something life-changing as an adult?

I joined a Samba band - physical and creative and its great - you only commit to what you want to do but get to do charity gigs and protests if you want.

It has helped develop a great group of friends and we travel around the country together to events.

In my 30s, an Open University course in something creative and non-career-related that I did purely for pleasure. I knew it was something I had an aptitude for, but the course gave me the structure and confidence to focus on it.

In my 40s, running. Absolute game-changer and again, amazing for my confidence.

I've also recently I've started doing some fun arty stuff just for pleasure with no real care for whether it's any good or not (I'm actually a fairly terrible artist) which has been really liberating! There was a time when I'd have just beaten myself up over creating something that wasn't very good or didn't make sense to other people, but now I don't give a damn if it's good and just enjoy playing around with it and having fun.

After I had my children I decided to learn photography. Whilst it hasn't changed my life massively, it has meant that I have been able to meet people I wouldn't have otherwise, I can take photos either at home or out and about and I have sold some as well.

I'm learning to play the piano from scratch in my 30s and really enjoying it. I'm also learning Swedish and Spanish. I started running in my 20s and want to start that up again soon too.

Just pick an interest- maybe something like learning a foreign language to near fluency, photography, art, playing an instrument, taking dance classes.

You really can just take up any hobby you like, you've got loads of time!

Yes, LARP and historical reenactment.

Following with interest.
I’ve taught myself to crochet in my 30s… I enjoy doing something creative and relaxing rather than just watching tv in the evenings.
But it’s definitely not dinner party conversation material!

Took up a sport at 49 as I wanted to be healthier in my 50s. Was never a sporty person before this. In last 8 years I've turned myself around having got healthier, lowered cholesterol, lost weight, completed a few triathlons, lots of 10km runs, and cycling is main sport now (as my knees don't like me running) which I'd do 3 yes a week with a few friends Met so many new friends through all this, travelled around the country to cycles, and I'm heading into my 60s so much happier with myself.

Having counted I realise I must have just turned 30 when I started Bellydancing. It's been brilliant for a while host of reasons and I've met and become friends with some fabulous women and had an awful lot of fun.

I think trying to decide on something life changing is putting too much pressure on yourself, and might put you off even starting, or put you off persevering with it. Picking something you’re interested in and giving it go seems the best bet- is there an instrument you’ve thought about learning?

I got massively into exercise for the first time in my life when I was 33. 10 years on and it's still an important part of my life.

I took up a new sport, which I really enjoy, albeit at a low standard

I took up silversmithing as a hobby and it's now a major part of my income.

Considering I had never picked up a tool in my life it was quite a steep learning curve - it took me a week to have the courage to turn on my baby butane soldering torch,. Within days I had bought a serious "grown up" soldering torch and from then on I was totally hooked.

I get where you are coming from OP, I was a solo mum for the latter half my 30s and most of my 40s so didnt have much 'me time' to take up any hobbies (nor the financial means to afford it).

When DD was a teenager though I branched out, and I started swimming twice a week. Since she's left home I have taken up paddle boarding but I am lucky in that I live by a bay and I have gone to local yoga classes (years ago I had the DVDs so it was nice to be taught properly.

Creative wise, I also finished my cross stich that I began before DD was born, it only took 21 years done a few more since.

Cycling. Physical but not creative.

I took up running, ran a marathon and had an awesome few years until I fucked up my knees🤷‍♀️ Still really miss running, no regrets but can’t do it anymore.

Also took up crochet which I genuinely love.

I joined Toastmasters to improve my public speaking and found my tribe! It's huge fun.

I've also taken up painting and Nordic walking. Also fun.

I tried painting several years ago, when I was 33. I had always enjoyed drawing but never tried painting. I gave up my secure, well paid job to become an artist as I felt like I didn't ever really achieve anything in my day job. My colleagues were all stuck in a rut, miserable and the job was so specialised there was no room for outward progression - I didn't want to end up like my workmates just treading water waiting for the final salary pension.

I have been painting full time professionally for 12 years now, and have a great career with a national gallery chain. I never thought my paintings would sell for mid-four figures, but they do! I'm so glad I gave it a try, I feel very fortunate to do a job I love. It was incredibly hard work in the beginning though, but the sense of fulfilment and achievement makes it worthwhile.

After being an accountant for many years and hating it, then not working while the DC were small, I started an OU psychology degree. I'm now a specialist TA, and though the pay is dreadful, I'm really loving it and doing a masters in my particular area of interest.

The OU is relatively expensive now, but it was doable for me 15 years ago.

Not creative and I know you already have a degree but I am doing a degree with the OU in something that really interests me. Not for work / pay but purely for my own study.

I think when children are older there's a real sense of 'what can I do for ME'!

These are wonderful stories and I'm so glad to hear such different and interesting hobbies! It's really giving me that extra motivation to try something new.

@RoseGoldEagle you're absolutely right and the one thing I don't want to do is start something and then cast it aside. I was quite keen to start learning the keyboard or give it a try at least and see if I enjoy it. :)

Yes, I took up photography. Not just snap shots with my phone but invested in decent cameras/lenses (mostly second hand) and really learned how to take a decent photograph using proper gear, and all the right camera settings etc. It can be pretty technical, and the options for what you do with it after that are endless ... portraits, landscapes (if you fancy walking across country), creative/art images etc, sport, still life, and - if you're feeling really brave - weddings etc.

I know a lot of people with horses, and have started doing equine portraits (for which people have been kind enough to pay me!), and also do images at a local riding club's events. I also act as a volunteer photographer for a local charity taking images which they use to promote their work and in one way or another. It's a whole new world and I love it.

My friend took up rowing in her late 40s, she’s 60+ now and rows twice a week, is very fit and healthy with a great group of friends she’s rowed with for years. I’m mid 30s with small children, I fully intend to embrace new hobbies and sports when I get past this intense stage of parenting

I took up tennis at 49. I wish I'd done it years (or decades) ago.

Knitting, crochet and book club. Book club is more of a social evening, but it's challenging me to read different books.

I'm also doing my maths gcse again as it pisses me off that I got an F

Sewing. Had done a touch in my teens but bought a sewing machine after my first child was born and threw myself to learning to sew to distract me from PPD.

I now make most of my own/my childrens' clothes and absolutely love it.