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

[Okaaaay]

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!

Changed career
Separated from my husband
Online dating
Starting running
Learned to surf

All after the age of 40. Surfing I was 50.

Are you me??!!

Took up running at age 50, having been completely sedentary all my life. Ran my first marathon aged 53 and my second aged 56.

We did this wit an emu egg, absolutely adorable thing 🥰

@Okaaaay I did enjoy drawing when I was younger but never thought I was any good particularly. It’s only recently I’ve made a concerted effort to actually try and learn some technique and buy some decent supplies. It came pretty quickly once I started trying.

Qualified as a 200 hour yoga teacher in my mid forties which took 18 months. It was harder than my post graduate degree! It took me way out of my comfort zone but I felt a real sense of accomplishment in getting to the end and qualifying.

It's not things I learned exactly, but I joined a choir two years ago having not sung properly for 30 years. It has absolutely been the best thing I've done solely for myself in decades. It's rejuvenated my confidence, has reminded me that I can still learn, still perform, that I'm pretty damn good at it and it just brings me huge joy - there is something deeply human and connecting about raising your voice in communal song. It's also given me a number of opportunities I wouldn't have been able to access otherwise - singing in an epic cathedral venue, recording in Abbey Road, West End workshops with current stars. It has also directly led to me getting a part time job after nearly 15 years at home, because of the increased confidence and self belief.

Find that single thing that brings you joy and grab it wholeheartedly!

Drive (was over 50!)

@LostAtTheCrossRoad that’s really amazing - such incredible experiences.

Yes! Have you thought about cress🤣

A masters degree in counselling

Props to @Alwaysworryingoversomething and others learning to drive now. I can’t imagine what it’s like even compared to learning 23 years ago.

@PurposefulBear no, but how lovely to meet my twin 😁

Love this thread. I am 45 this year and I am going to teach myself how to read an OS map properly and get out in the hills more

Thanks. I still can't believe it. I found it quite difficult (MN helped) but passed first time.
I am ridiculously proud of myself.

I learned to say no to things. And to stand up for myself. Not much I know.

Life changing.

This.

And truck-pulling for fitness, fun, and intimidating weird men.

I got a style analysis done late forties (body shape, colours, personality). It’s really helped me to dress better and I’ve had a lot more compliments since. I don’t always get i5 right, but the hits now outnumber the misses (despite being overweight and out of shape).

@Colourmylifewith so have you now got an emu? 🤯

With my 40th birthday gift cards I bought myself a cheap sewing machine and learned to sew my own clothes. Most of my wardrobe is now handmade. I'd been talking about learning for over a decade before I took the plunge.

OMG - what did you do with the emu? Quite a large pet to hang on to!

@YesitsBess casually throwing trucking pulling into the mix 😄

@FriendsDrinkBook this is inspiring - turning one of this ‘one day I’ll’ into real life must feel amazing.

Scuba dive & see some extraordinary things under the sea in exotic places

I came on to say learning Japanese, and I see I'm not the only one! I'm working towards doing the official Japanese Language Proficiency Test hopefully next year. It'll be very slow going because I can't even read all the katakana yet!