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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What’s the most amazing / inspiring thing you learned to do after 40?

191 replies

Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:23

Ok, so not an AIBU but posting here for lighthearted traffic. Just turned 40 and feeling as flat as a pancake. Would love to hear some of the wonderful (and weird) things you’ve learned to do after 40 to give me a bit of a lift. It might be to do a handstand, learn a language, to swim, run, cook a new dish - anything you are proud of. Go!

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Thread gallery
5
illiterato · 20/04/2023 21:25

The monkeybars.

Original poster
Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:26

@illiterato yes!! That is amazing (and would be a huge achievement).

OP posts:
DontMakeMeSayItTwice · 20/04/2023 21:26

I learned to swim, at the age of 56 (I'm now 64)

Original poster
Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:28

@DontMakeMeSayItTwice thats super brave - it must be scary to learn as an adult. Hope you’ve found joy in swimming.

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GrumpyInsomniac · 20/04/2023 21:28

Did a MSc to change career. Learning Japanese. Learned to code in R and Python. I’m mostly proud that I stood up for and enabled my inner nerd to shine and did things I really wanted to do instead of just getting stuck in a rut, because that’s how all these things happened.

Luckydog7 · 20/04/2023 21:29

OK not quite 40 but 36 and after having two babies in my early 30s....

Learned a brand new drawing skill (3d modelling) in a new piece of software, started my own business and since January deriving a decent part time income from it after losing my 'real' job in September.

Last week i learned to crochet flowers for my friend's wedding button holes.

I'm starting a creative writing course in a couple of weeks...

Isseywith3witchycats · 20/04/2023 21:29

i did a degree it was a part time one aimed at older learners cost a bomb as i didnt qualify for any help but loved doing it just to say i had done one

Wnikat · 20/04/2023 21:29

Give zero fucks.

cmt1375 · 20/04/2023 21:30

Drive a large goods vehicle

Roguebludger · 20/04/2023 21:30

This is an amazing thread, thanks op. I will be completing my masters for my 40th and then hopefully starting my PhD, completing before I'm 50 hopefully!

CatNamedEaster · 20/04/2023 21:30

Baking. Only attempted cakes a few times before, with disastrous results. Then DS was born and had food allergies that meant shop-bought cakes and biscuits were off limits. So I learned vegan baking and I'm pretty good now.😋

Now at the other end of my 40's I've taken up weights and resistance work . Very early days but I love learning about what to do for different muscles, and the concentration and discipline needed to keep the correct form. Even better, it's something that is totally for ME.😃

KayohB · 20/04/2023 21:31

Not sure it’s inspiring but I learnt to play the ukulele after getting one for my 40th birthday, I find it really relaxing now and figure it must be good for my brain…. now I just need to muster up the courage to perform in public!

Friendlybreadbin · 20/04/2023 21:31

Lifelong runner but got injured. Took up cycling as an alternative, when my injury cleared up I started duathlons. Now compete for my age group for GBR. Bought my first road bike at 43.

Original poster
Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:32

You are all brilliant - thank you for sharing. Love the energy to go back and retrain, or learn languages / instruments.

OP posts:
Toebrushtoe · 20/04/2023 21:32

Learned to ballroom dance! Got our gold medals in ballroom and latin, but stopped taking exams as it took a lot of the enjoyment out of it.
Still going to classes though 23 years later, and our dance school has social evenings every weekend so we have somewhere to dance!

blinkboo · 20/04/2023 21:32

Play the piano. Really well!!!!

McConkeysPlate · 20/04/2023 21:33

I am mid 40’s and currently in the middle of a biochemistry degree!

Dyslexicwonder · 20/04/2023 21:33

Running long distances, getting my teeth fixed and looking after them. Does parenting teens count ?

Bitterestpil · 20/04/2023 21:33

Graduated at 44

winkywankie · 20/04/2023 21:33

Not give a fuck about what people say or think about me.

Oatsamazing · 20/04/2023 21:34

I learnt to operate a cherry picker at work (as a gardener) so i can prune climbing shrubs on the buildings. It's really fun whizzing around up high Grin

DontMakeMeSayItTwice · 20/04/2023 21:34

Okaaaay.......My husband taught me (I trust him with my life, obviously), on a week's holiday to Cyprus. I couldn't believe myself! Yes, I love it.

StarDolphins · 20/04/2023 21:34

Here’s you lot with your amazing accomplishments….

I thought I was great for ‘thinking’ I might read up on growing my own lettuce so I don’t have to go to the shop every3 days for fresh lettuce.

I need to try harder.

Original poster
Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:35

@Dyslexicwonder double points for parenting teens.

Strong votes for not giving two fucks.

All of you doing degrees are smashing it!

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Original poster
Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 21:37

@StarDolphins solidarity - that’s the sort of place I was hoping to start. It’ll be a veg plot next year, an orchard the next….😁

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