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?

[quote NandorTheRelentlessCleaner]@Hedgesgalore agree about tennis taking up your entire brain and therefore giving you a complete mental break from anything else
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Absolutely and one of the many reasons I love it so much!

Tennis for me as well! I started 2 years ago aged 45 and I play 4 or 5 times a week now. I absolutely love it.

I’ve met lots of new friends there as well.

I never thought I would but, even though I’m by no means one of the best, I can feel confident enough to just turn up and play with almost anyone.

I do loads of different crafts as well and always have done, but I love to try new ones.

I took up Taekwondo in my 40s and got to my black belt in October last year at 49. I am now working towards my second Dan blackbelt. I've got to know a lot of lovely people and never ever thought I could do a martial art. I even went in a few competitions.
As a result I have a better awareness of my body and it has increased my self confidence. Regular training also tones my arms!

Online art classes with Korp Academy. It’s fun, we draw monsters and other characters which means you can’t get it wrong. You get such a great sense of satisfaction from producing something you will be proud of drawing. I was in a rut and now I actively look forward to the classes each week which gives me a boost in my step on those days.

I learnt to play the drums and how to do magic. It would be cool to do both at the same time but not mastered that yet 😆

The pandemic gave me a boost to join a local rugby team (used to play when I was younger) and am absolutely loving it and the feeling of being part of a team and growth in my own skills as a player, not to mention fitness. We won our recent league :)

Running in my 40s, and now tai chi. I started with you tube videos then joined a local class and discovered a whole community. Jumping in to try a new thing can be scary, but mastering a new skill does wonders for you!

Great thread op!

I took up running about 5 years ago in my early 30s. I've now run several marathons and ultras.

It's opened up my world to new friends, new areas, pushing new boundaries, freedom, a new love and respect of my body...the list is endless.

Running and then cycling after I was 40.

Completely and utterly life changing, not just that I'm fitter than I was when much younger, but they've both opened up a whole new circle of friends and aqaintances, new active friends mean that my lifestyle is altogether more active e.g for a recent hen do we went trampolining and I rarely have a weekend without evening plans, on top of the running and cycling now

I joined a community choir in my 40s and it makes me so happy. It's my favourite thing to do now. However crappy I'm feeling it lifts my spirits.

I also took up home yoga using Yoga With Adriene on YouTube. I like it much more than I thought I would and manage to do a quick session most weekday mornings. It doesn't give me as much joy as singing, but makes me feel virtuous briefly!

At 39 I learned to crochet and I love doing it. Not highly skilled but I can make a hat or a scarf or a blanket really quickly and easily.

September 2020 at 59 I started an OU degree. Having got through school by doing the bare minimum at the last minute I found I could actually get the hang of this whole study business and found that I love it. I get stressed in the last few days before I hand an essay in and then all is calm for a week or two until I start wondering when the results will be back but I love doing it. All being well I will finish my degree with two years left before I reach retirement age!

At the age of 31 I made my first pair of curtains - because I wanted Laura Ashley ones for the nursery of my soon-to-be-born son but could not afford the ready made ones. Looking back they were terrible!

Since then I have improved my sewing skills and have made every curtain, blind and cushion cover in our home as well as cushions for sister, dad, MIL and both of my now grown up sons.

I don't know about changing my life but I still love sewing - just don't ask me to make clothes!

Yes! I took up knitting in my late 30s (I'm now 50), having not been a 'crafty' person at all before. I absolutely love it. I now also crochet, have been on two spinning courses and have just bought a spinning wheel !

Also, I have been a languages teacher for over 25 years but started learning a new language about 4 years ago, partly for fun and partly because I hoped to be able to teach it in the future. It's been amazing becoming a language learner again as an adult. It's given a boost to my memory and is really enjoyable.

Learning new things keeps you young!

@Oldenoughtobedead

Online art classes with Korp Academy. It’s fun, we draw monsters and other characters which means you can’t get it wrong. You get such a great sense of satisfaction from producing something you will be proud of drawing. I was in a rut and now I actively look forward to the classes each week which gives me a boost in my step on those days.

Thanks for sharing that. It looks right up my street. I love art but am rubbish so this looks like something I would enjoy but can’t mess up!

@SBAM

Sewing! Dressmaking for myself and my children is both creative and technical, and I can choose to stretch my skills or make something within my comfort zone. There are huge online communities on Facebook and Instagram and opportunities for real life meet-ups, and it’s been fantastic for my self esteem, mental health and being kind to my post partum body.

Are there any accounts you could recommend? I've recently bought a sewing machine and started making clothes+ would love some accounts I could look at for inspiration :)

I recently read an article about a 70 yo woman trying acro yoga - what made an impression was her resolution, when she turned 60, to take up a new sport every year! I'm "only" 51 and have never been very athletic but am trying to move more, so I thought I could start the same. This year I took up skateboarding (no tricks, just riding) and it's great fun!

Started learning piano age 40. I love it.

I'm 33. Never had a hobby before but I've taken up gardening and I love it. Bought myself a little zippy greenhouse from Wilko and a few packets of seeds. Spent a fortune on roses from David Austin Roses. Potted up some dahlias I'm growing by my patio doors. It's bringing me a lot of joy and there's a nice Instagram community of gardeners I follow.

Running. I started at 34 and now do races quite often - half marathons and 10ks etc. It has changed my life and I think it saved me when I was in a bad place with PND.

Yes. I joined a theatre group age 38 and acted in a few plays. It was a huge confidence boost. I met wonderful new friends. I now see opportunities I never did before.

I became a mother at 34 so that's a complete change in lifestyle, priorities, needs etc. A new lease of life there too.

I got married at 39 which was also wonderful, unexpected, and life changing.

My job prospects change often as I get itchy feet. I'm currently looking into pursuing a whole new line of work.

I'm always open to the idea life can do a complete 180. I hope mine doesn't at this point but I also fully expect it too.

Love this thread. I am usually nervous about trying new things, especially where there is a risk of looking/feeling stupid, but these stories have inspired me to be braver!

Sewing. I started learning to sew when i was 32. I started a business making various things. Its not doing amazingly well but id always wanted to start a business and now i have no good at clothes though!

Running! I was always a "I will never enjoy exercise" type of person but after 2 kids and no time to myself I started running and now I love it. I turned 30 last year and I'm the fittest, slimmest and most confident I've been in my life.

Since the age of 31 I have been unable to do most sports or exercise and also have had babies so needed to change my hobbies. I am trying to learn guitar, I suck but enjoy it and I am trying to learn to draw.

Morris dancing. Life- changing. A whole nationwide family of people and a whole year's worth of events, festivals, dance, music and joy.