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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!

OP posts:
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5
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 20/04/2023 22:34

I’ve learned a new alphabet over the last year, and can converse a bit in a language I couldn’t speak at all before that. Quite pleased with that.

soddingspiderseason · 20/04/2023 22:37

Learning to play the piano - mid 50s. Loving it, but bloody hard!

OriginalFloorboards · 20/04/2023 22:37

I did my first arena eventing clinic on my young horse age 49. Stuff of dreams especially as I didn’t have ponies as a child. I whooped after every jump and didn’t care what I looked like. My horse got a banana afterwards (they are his favourite) and much praise. My daughter videoed it and I bored my non-horsey family with EVERY single clip on group chat and then made a reel on my Facebook page probably boring all my friends too. It had 3,000 views of which 2,999 were likely me rewatching it grinning to myself. I’m super proud as I’ve had my horse from a foal and it feels extra special achieving this for the first time for both of us. In fact I’m just going to watch it again…

MaryShelley1818 · 20/04/2023 22:39

I'm 44 and after 40 had a second baby and have studied for my second degree! (Finish in 7wks) all whilst working full time.

2chocolateoranges · 20/04/2023 22:41

I went to college, got a qualification which enabled me to get a new job in a totally different field of work than what I had been doing and I’m loving it! Best move ever!

LeanIntoChaos · 20/04/2023 22:44

I'm not quite 40 but I've decided this is the year I'm going to learn to sail. I've not actually done it yet tho

OnBoardTheHeartOfGold · 20/04/2023 22:44

I did the following -

Retrained into a new career
Bake fresh naan bread now
Kayaking
Did an astrobiology course just out of interest
DIY - so far I've sanded and revarnished furniture, cleaned up redone grout, repainted the bathroom

JoanThursday · 20/04/2023 22:48

DorritLittle · 20/04/2023 22:27

Where did you do your A Level Joan?

This is an inspiring thread!

Show quote history

I did it through the National Extension College, so all distance learning. My local council entered me for the exams.

If money / work / family life was no object, I'd do a degree in this subject in a heartbeat. Loved it.

Original poster
Okaaaay · 20/04/2023 22:48

@OriginalFloorboards i’d watch your videos, what a buzz and how proud you must be.

OP posts:
FoxtrotOscarFoxtrotOscar · 20/04/2023 22:50

Started a fulltime modern languages degree at 39. Graduated at 43.
Started piano lessons at 51 (I'm very mediocre, not at all musical, but it's good for keeping the brain elastic)

GraysPapaya · 20/04/2023 22:52

This thread is brilliant! I’m yet to get there but this is inspiring me.
Probably going to buy a quail egg @Welshy26 !

PickleOfAConundrum · 20/04/2023 22:53

I got my kids names tattooed on my wrists after years of talking about it. I'm booked in to get my husbands name, my grandsons name and one in memory of my Dad who I sadly lost to cancer. I also got more piercings and planning on more. I'm nearly 50 but life is for living, my Dad taught me that with him being taken so young.

Honeysuckle16 · 20/04/2023 22:53

Did an MBA while having a last baby at 40 and set up a consultancy business. Learned to play the piano with my daughter when she was 5, achieved my scuba diving PADI qualification, became a really good gardener, got involved with animal welfare and led a successful campaign to have several laws changed. Loved doing it all.

EconomyClassRockstar · 20/04/2023 22:54

I think Lockdown has allowed a lot of us to find whole new things we didn't know we can do. I always thought I was a terrible gardener, but it turned out I just didn't really have the time to develop the interest previously and now I make the time. I learned basic Spanish and have recently been to a Spanish speaking country and actually chatted quite well, although I also randomly started speaking French sometimes as got confused between the two and luckily, they spoke French too so it was like Espangcais-ish. 😀

Crispynoodle · 20/04/2023 22:54

Patchwork and quilting can be a very expensive hobby though!

NotHangingAround · 20/04/2023 22:54

Press-ups, burpees and running 5k. I was very unsporty at school.

Also, not exactly a new skill, but I did write a book after the age of 40 and got it published (not self published) Just the one, but I was glad to have done it.

emsie12345 · 20/04/2023 22:54

Witchcraft

Apocalyptichorsewoman · 20/04/2023 22:55

Learnt to ride a horse - never been on one in my life before! I'm now 53, and have my own horse. 🐴

Took up cricket - I used to play it in the park with my mates when I was a kid. Now I play for the local women's team 😀

Peccary · 20/04/2023 22:58

I feel inspired, I sat my Spanish GCSE at 39 when heavily pregnant. I'm going to do the a level with the college mentioned upthread

SoCunningYouCanStickATailOnItAndCallItAFox · 20/04/2023 22:58

Been learning quite a lot of DIY building my house. I'd only ever repainted and done a bit of tiling before.

MrsSkylerWhite · 20/04/2023 22:59

Calligraphy

burnoutbabe · 20/04/2023 23:00

Got my Xbox gamer score over 100,000. That was a proud day!

Sewingdufus · 20/04/2023 23:00

I’ve always been interested in crafting and did a bit of quilting, blanket making in my 30s. But in my 40s I really challenged myself to try sewing clothing, within 5 years most of my clothes and a significant amount of my children’s clothing is home sewn.

burnoutbabe · 20/04/2023 23:02

Also decided to beat my past educational efforts and get an a* at gcse (didn't have a star in my day) then get a first in a degree (beating past 2.1) then do a masters.

I like a challenge.

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 20/04/2023 23:03

NoraLuka · 20/04/2023 22:12

@icanneverthinkofnc which sport is it, if you don’t mind me asking? I’d love to do a team sport instead of just running on my own but there’s no such thing as an over 40s women’s football team in my area and I’m not sure what else I could do!

You could look for Return to Netball or Walking netball on here https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/

England Netball - The Vitality Roses - Coaching - Clubs - Participation

National Governing body of England's biggest female team sport, England Netball has 92,000 members, represented Internationally by the Vitality Roses.

https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/