Maybe I’m being a bit nostalgic, but does anyone else get excited about the possibility of a new learning experience or acquiring a new skill? It reminds me of the excitement of going back to school after the summer holidays, having shopped for new stationery and a pencil case. I loved that part. Another enjoyable part was also the challenge of being creative with my uniform. One memory stands out, I was a tiny, fashion forward 16 or 17-year-old and had decided I wanted a pinafore like the ones you wore when you were 5. I made my mum traipse all over Scotland – we never found one.
I digress. I’ve always loved learning, and I think I haphazardly do this most weeks. I recently tried to learn how to automate a workflow (without an app), and I’m still working on that.
The enjoyment and excitement, along with the schools returning, have galvanised me. I’m restarting my learning club. At the start of the year, I was full of enthusiasm. I had friends visit weekly to learn something new, whether it was about ChatGPT, social media, or how to make a cleaning spray. I found it focusing and fun. I’m not sure why it dwindled – maybe the allure of summer and slow evenings on the beach instead of my makeshift ‘classroom.’
Well, just like school, my learning club is BACK. I will cajole a few people into joining me again, I’m sure, but currently, it’s a club of one, and I’m excited for the challenge.
Why I Want to Keep Learning in Midlife?
I feel really passionately about keeping abreast, and keeping by brain active. I don’t have the benefit of growing children or teenagers to keep me on my toes so its up to me to do it. And I have the added motivation to protect my old lady brain as much as possible given my medically induced menopause and eradication of oestrogen.
What Will I be Learning?
Each Monday I’m committing to an evening of learning.
I’m going to get back on the AI train. I recently signed up to a course about AI prompts. I will see this through over the next few weeks. You never know. I might become more adept at getting what I need from Chat (or Chad, as one of my friends refers to it/him/her)
Other things on my list to learn:
- Basic coding – I used to love my zx spectrum back in the 80’s, hours of typing code from a book in the hope you could play a game at the end, I just wish I had learned that more as a language.
- Notion – I started and then abandonned this productivity tool. I think it has lots of benefits.
- Finance and Investing – I think this is something that we all should learn. I’m scared by it. So even more reason
- Aromatherapy – I want to learn more about all the different essential oils and their benefits. I did sign up to a course. I learned a lot about the parasympathetic nervous system but not so much about the oils themselves.
- Brush lettering – I love handwriting, I want to perfect this as a skill
- Build an app – I have a slight dream of building an app to hold all my knitting ideas and then one that I can use to keep me on track with my projects.
I could literally carry on and on and on with my list. But for now, will take it one step at a time with AI.
The Benefits of Learning for Our Future Health
It’s not just my personal love of learning that drives me – there’s science behind why it’s good to keep our brains engaged:
01
Protect brain health – Learning stimulates new neural connections, which can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
02
Boost memory and focus – Challenging the brain regularly sharpens our ability to recall and concentrate.
03
Support emotional wellbeing – Learning something new can lift mood, increase confidence, reduce stress, and give a sense of purpose
04
Encourage longevity – People who keep learning and engaging their minds tend to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Learning is a win-win – new skills we can use now, and sharper brains for the future!!
