What can . . .
Get you out of a rut?
Boost your energy, aliveness, and joy?
Keep you youthful longer?
All that plus it’s fun!
What is it?
Learning!
And the good news is it is never too late to learn.
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”
Henry Ford
What if every month or every six months you choose to learn something new? What kind of difference might that make in your life?
It could be something you’ve always wanted to do or something you’re curious about or something you’re drawn to. Whatever it is, pick something, start learning about it, and remember to have fun with it.
Here are a few things women over 60 are learning to do:
- Hang wallpaper
- Fly a plane
- Be more tech savvy
- Ride a Harley
- Belly dance
- Make a pie
- Swing dance
- Play boogie-woogie piano
- Speak a new language
- Do yoga
- Bake bread
- Cross-country ski
What about you? What do you want to learn this year? Please tell us in Comments below.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
In December I turned 61. My husband and I are building our dream house and moving from our hometown to Virginia. My husband has lived here all his life. I’ve been here since third grade. We are leaving our old house filled with many memories and moving our Lavender, Iris flower farm to another location. We are now exploring the land to purchase and start a fresh new chapter. Our family and friends think we are to old to do this and will regret it. We are giving it a shot, and looking forward to a new adventure!
Wish us Luck! So I’m learning all about house building and the lay of the land. Never knew there was so much to learn and do ( dirt samples, drainage, location, new people, places, and things.
Wow, Debby, that is a big, new adventure. With so much to learn, you’ve got to be making your brain work hard. I do wish you luck in your new venture. Keep us posted on how it goes. All the best to you!
I’ve been learning the Bible for the first time in my life. It’s been a joy for the last 2 years.
I want to learn how to code in HTML 5. It’s just another language, and I’d really like to learn how it works! Thanks for asking Bonnie!
I am not 60 yet, 59. I am the oldest of 13 siblings. My parents were educated and youthful and playful. I do have a very playful spirit. I lost my job in 2011 because of back and knee issues and have become disabled physically, not mentally. I am currently taking a medical coding course, then will pursue a Graphic Arts degree and also Dyslexia training so I can tutor people to read. I have tried belly dancing but that doesn’t work with my back.LOL, but I still keep trying. I play with my grandkids 3 days a week so that keeps me youthful too. I need women friends though and to get out of the house.
Patricia, Lindsay, & Kat, good for you for continuing to learn and play!
Good question, Bonnie. Of the things on your list, I already know how to do five, maybe six, and one–ride a Harley–is way too dangerous, given the aggressive way many people drive.
But I have signed up for a class in Beginning Piano which I’ve wanted to try for years. It starts next month, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Good for you, Madeleine! I hope you thoroughly enjoy playing the piano.
The inner voice at 60+ often says “too much trouble”….”what if I appear foolish”…. and “it’s easier to sit and veg”…when, in fact, using our energy and brain makes us more vital and exuberant. While engaging in a new trek, we mark a course of productivity that links to side roads—new friends, new experiences, new understandings. Make a commitment to “woman up” not to let go and give up simply because energy is less than whatever imaginary age we see as perfect. Many universities/colleges offer free (or reduced cost) course work for seniors. No pressure, no grades, and much to explore. Check out the possibilities; great rewards await you!
Great points, Jinanne! Thanks for your comments.