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?

Horse riding - I had my first ever 30 minute lesson aged 46, and loved it! I have my own horse now, aged 52. I get so much out of it - fresh air, friends, exercise, a sense of peace. I love my horse - he's luffly! Spending time at the yard is like therapy for me, and I've learned so many new skills...

Ballet at 47 years old. I love it - it allows me to not think/worry about anything for that hour, and exercise both my body and my mind, all to beautiful music. I started off with one class a week, now I do four or five each week and I wish I'd re-discovered it before!

@10HailMarys

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.

I was looking at open uni at 3 am this morning!

Could have written this thread OP.. I was up until 4am searching for courses!

Yoga. I started classes after being diagnosed with an incurable physical ailment and it’s been completely mind blowing.
If I don’t do my weekly class I can feel my body change.

I taught myself to crochet and then knit and two years ago when lock down started I starting running then last year added home workouts. I also read more. I really enjoy running, it's time to myself and I feel fitter than ever.

@Becca8675309

Ballet at 47 years old. I love it - it allows me to not think/worry about anything for that hour, and exercise both my body and my mind, all to beautiful music. I started off with one class a week, now I do four or five each week and I wish I'd re-discovered it before!

I'm starting live adult ballet classes next week! Can't wait.

Not creative AT ALL but I became a rally navigator. It gave me a new group of friends, some breathing space and the confidence to leave my marriage that was rapidly becoming abusive. I loved it!

I started learning Russian at 30.

DH has just started an undergraduate in archaeology (He's retired).

I also did a law degree that began the day after my 40th birthday.

I did get a job as a trainee solicitor then qualified. But I have also since retired.

That sounds really cool @NewMag2021 and just up my street. I will have a look into it!

I started playing golf 4 years ago. Not something I ever saw myself doing but I love it! I get out in the fresh air, switch off from work worries and have made lots of new friends.

I started learning Italian when I was 42. I listen to audio lessons and podcasts and am getting much better at it. Going to try it out on holiday there soon!

Also took up tennis and I absolutely love it. Very sociable and fun and good for my health. It always makes me happy to play.

This thread is giving me life. Currently in the knackered and uncreative stage with 3 kids under 3, but I love the thought of courses, art and wild swimming. This is the first time in my life I haven't written seriously - that will be my way back in.

I've taken up tapestry and am doing some modern designs. I took up crochet during lockdown.

I've also taken up hiking long distance trails. Am over 100 miles into the South West Coast Path which is 630 miles in total.

I'm also doing the Thames Path in chunks.

I would like to try wild swimming but I'm waiting for the weather to improve before trying for the first time.

I've also taken up doing solo motor-homing , I've travelled alone or with the kids around France and a lot of the UK.

Learning to DJ. If you love music it’s great.

yep, hiking

also went back to painting

@2bazookas

After age 30; I

learned to play Taiko drums, joined a group and won a national award
Learnt to ice skate
Learned how to weld and built a new metal frame for the communal water tank
Learned how to build drystone wall and rebuilt 200 yards of our boundaries
Learned how make rag rugs; some just for us and others I sold.
Learned to do reiki
Trained, qualified and worked as a reflexologist.
Went to evening class to study Geography and Biology which I'd dropped at school. Passed A level in both.
Learnt how to use a computer
Started writing poetry and got published
Taught myself to wallpaper, and strip wood.
Taught myself to use a sewing machine
Taught myself to grow native trees from seed.
Grew a bluebell wood.
Climbed an oak tree I'd grown from an acorn

Oh that’s lovely - I especially loved the acorn to oak tree! I have

• started to play the flute - 15 yrs now. Will never be as good as someone who started as a child but I love it!
• learned to give up wondering what people think of me
• learned to self care - if you can’t nobody else can.

My keyboard arrived today!! Time for me to start learning!!!

I'm so glad I posted this thread, I was so nervous about sending it out :)

I joined an art class when I was 40. I don’t know how I ever coped without it.

People looking Open University don’t forget to check the Open College of the Arts, too. I did several modules on their textiles course and loved it.

I took up running 8 years ago when I was 41. Wish I’d done it years ago. I lost 2 and a half stones and I’m a lot fitter now at almost 50 than any other time in my adult life.

Yoga at 40. I do it daily and it has helped me through many a difficult time

Place marking

I've recently started learning how to make stain glass and I also really want to start rock climbing but haven't taken that plunge yet. I'm 35