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!

I had my first baby a week before my 40th and two more before I was 42. Then I learned to catch to stop them all jumping off the furniture.

And finally figured out to stand up for myself. Being frightened of not being liked cuts no ice when you've got stuff to get done.

I would like a classics A-level though.

Learned to ride a motorbike.

@NoraLuka I didn't see your thread but do it!!

I started climbing at aged 40.

I am not sporty at all, being on the heavier side, but I love climbing and am actually doing fairly well.

I took driving lessons after I retired and passed my test age 56! 🤣

Aged about 44 I went to my first festival (I took my two boys aged 14 and 12). Been going ever since (17 years now, no longer with my boys) about 4 festivals a year and love it!

@NotHangingAround that is amazing, congratulations 🎉

I started taekwondo at 46, when my youngest started - I'd never done martial arts before. 4 years later I got my black belt (with one of my other kids), continuing to advance and now teach. I love it for the community, the fitness and stress relief!

Thanks so much for all of your posts. I’m impressed, inspired and hugely appreciate every one of your shares. Keep them coming - I will read every one and will post an update when I’ve found my thing 😊

I learnt self-worth which has led to establishing healthier boundaries in all areas of my life and leaving my alcoholic husband.

I trained as a magistrate in my late forties. Had my first novel published in early fifties.

These are so amazing, I am so stuck in a rut and life is passing me by. You have inspired me to see what I can do. I have always fancied attempting to make some clothing, I briefly tried as a teen but ended up with badly fitting things. I may now give it another go.

Since lockdown I have taken up yoga and, more recently, mobility exercises too. I am more toned ( and thinner) at nearly 50 than I’ve ever been.

@Oxonresident can you share the info on where/how you did your stress diploma please? It is much needed!

I will keep reading for more inspiration, wonderful uplifting thread, great idea OP.

I learned to fence with a medieval longsword.

Change of career and learning Adobe Creative Suite in my 50s. Lots of evening classes.

Running.

I used to jog the same 4 mile route, maybe twice or three times a week at most.

In 2021, I ran longer and explored new routes as a way of managing depression

In 2022, I ran the Great North Run for Mind.

On New Year's day, I entered Manchester Marathon on a whim, probably egged on by my much faster running buddy.

Last Sunday, my official time at the finish line was 3:44:28.

I will try entering for The London Marathon again for next year.

How did u learn?

I'm a couple of years off 40, but planning to get my black belt in jiujitsu by 45. Most people in my club achieve it in their 40s!

SInce I was 40 I have:

Been depressed
Been to therapy
Taken medication for depression
Left job I had been doing for 20 years
Started a business (no business experience before so a whole new learning curve is involved in this!)
Carried on and will hopefully finish soon a BA degree done via distance learning.

Feel a whole lot more confident and happy. Absolutely not depressed anymore.

Learned to drive in my late 50s. I’m soon to turn 60 and am on P plates.

Also learned to knit in my late 40s. Not amazing or unusual but it gives me a lot of pleasure to be wearing my own jumpers (and more reason to curse a lingering summer, lol. Go away! I want to wear knitwear!)

Have had four books published since I was 40.
Started running in my 50s, and now run at least 3 miles five days a week. I still hope to do a half-marathon sometime soon but in the meantime I am bloody fast for my age and very fit.

T'ai Chi and trained as an instructor too

For my 40th I learned to Scuba dive and speak Spanish. Both have gone a bit rusty now (I'm 52) so I'd have to redo them if I wanted to take it up again, which I'm quite prepared to do!

For my 50th I'm retraining as a counsellor. I was a secondary teacher but had to stop when my health deteriorated 11 years ago, so a job in the warm sitting down appeals and I've been listening to people all my life for one reason or another (from when I was asked to volunteer to sit on the "friendship bench" at school when I was 6).

It's never too late to do something you love!

Working on a PhD at 60.

Photography, only using my mobile phone. My husband gave me, “ Smart Phone Smart Photography “ by Jo Bradford.

It’s been an inspiration. I’ve been to a few photographic exhibitions in London and one in Paris.

I love old photographs too, especially of places I know.

Started going to music festivals on my own in my forties - and gigs too! Much prefer going by myself, tbh.

I also learned to snowboard just before I turned 50 (I’m pretty rubbish at it, but I don’t mind - the snow and mountains are lovely)