There are things I really wanted to do but couldn’t due to a crippling fear of heights. Rock climbing, parachuting, high diving all look so fun. But I find myself crawling back, shivering in fear, trying my best to control the panic attack.
Skateboarding. I was into punk in middle/high-school, some of my friends were skateboarders, but I never bought a board. I’m pushing 40 now and it’s way too late to start, even as a midlife crisis.
I’m pushing 40 now and it’s way too late to start, even as a midlife crisis.
What? “Pushing 40” is very literally PRIME mid-life crisis timing. Go buy a fuckin’ board, just take it easy on your joints.
Oh, no, I agree that I’m primed for a midlife crisis, but it’s way too late to start skateboarding. I’m in pretty good shape, eat fairly healthy, exercise regularly, etc., but I can’t shake off an a injury like I did in my teens or twenties. I’m not risking permanently messing up my knees learning how to ollie.
That has been one of the most eye opening things for me in my mid forty’s now. Small injuries I used to shake off same day/over night take weeks/months to fully heal up anymore. I’m significantly more careful and purposeful when using ladders or even just regular chores around the house to keep from straining a joint or ligament. I tweaked my MCL stepping on the edge of my stairs wrong shortly after having to use a cane for a couple months due to a hip injury. That was like two months ago and the ligament is mostly feeling fine now and I can do strength exercises with that leg again but holy shit, this whole thing from when I originally overworked/inflamed my hip cutting down/removing a tree would have never even impacted me five+ years ago and it’s like five months to recover. So yeah, I’m more careful and make sure I take breaks now. It’s just not worth it, slow, careful, and purposeful for me going forward.
Knitting
knitting and crocheting are fucking black magic to me. I hope you decide to pursue it. I think it’s amazing.
I wanted to be a comic book artist. I can draw, I don’t do it as often as I should, and I’m not bad at it. I wanted to make comic books, get them published at an independent level, and maybe someone would read them. I could just never finish anything I started. I’d have all these great ideas for a story but I would just end up word vomiting them on a page and didn’t know how to expand on it or draw it out. Same thing when I’d try to write a story/novel. How could I create something with several chapters when I just spew everything out within a few pages. So I gave up.
Woodworking. Maybe some day.
Proper/healthy cooking. Sports.
Upcycling. There’s just so much stuff we throw away and I currently have no creative hobbies where I am producing something… I might start this year.
Hey, it’s a bit late but you could make upcycling your yearly theme (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVGuFdX5guE relevant video by cpg grey)
Learning to play an instrument.
Reading some of these replies, it seems people are only focusing on half of the process of learning an instrument.
Its not just the instrument you need to learn, it’s how to read sheet music as well. Most likely, you’re not going to find the exact coords to play with the delay in between written as seconds for the song you want. Its going to be in the format of sheet music, with the notes and other symbols.
That takes time to learn, like learning a new language. It’s something you need to learn either before or while learning an instrument, and that is something that can put a lot of people off.
I’ve playing piano for 9years now, still can barely read sheet music. I’m not saying it’s easier that way, matter of fact, i wish i cour read it better.
But if sheet music is all that is keeping you from becoming a musician, fuck that and get playing
It’s never too late
It does require some time investment but it’s so rewarding.
How does one get started assuming one already has a guitar? I tried reading tabs but i’m just so slow and even when I do get it, it doesn’t sound right.
Justonguitar.comis how I learned to play and is frequently suggested for beginners. Its a free srructured couse, that will teach you everything you need to know.
Playing guitar is incredibly difficult, and having an actual teacher would save you countless hours, but its possible to teach yourself, just keep at it.
The only way to get better is to keep trying 🤷♂️ you’ll start slow and hitting wrong notes n, eventually it’ll be slow and right, until eventually it’s almost fast enough.
Also, look for a guitar teacher 🤷♂️ lessons are generally not that expensive and just a few can really get you started
Find a music teacher in real life. There is no substitute. They will be able to see very subtle things in your technique that are hindering you. They can give you feedback in real time. Video lessons from the greatest guitarist will not come close to in-person lessons from a decent guitarist.
Also make friends with other guitarists and play music with them. Music is a social thing.
I got lessons to start off with and it helped a lot. Then years later I tried to learn jazz on my own and I was hopeless. Six months with a teacher got me to where 3 years on my own would have gotten me. The teacher identified gaps in my skills I was completely blind to - I’d have reinforced my strengths while ignoring my weaknesses.
100% this. I “played” guitar and bass for about 20 years, doing tabs and YouTube lessons. I could do plenty of stuff passably, and have been in a few bands and played a few shows in public that went fine.
I got a Rhodes piano for free, and started doing the same learning on my own. My wife signed me up for 6 months of lessons with a real teacher as a gift. I learned so much in my now 2+years with her than the 20 years on my own.
You can get any lesson you want somewhere online, but it isn’t tailored to you or what you want/need to learn.
My teacher asks me what my goals are, and she figures out how to get me there. She sees where I’m at, can pick pieces and lessons to study that aren’t too hard or too easy, and corrects me before bad habits set in. I’ve learned the benefits of reading sheet music vs tabs, I’ve learned scales and how to apply them, and everything I learn is in proper order to allow it to make sense!
As I spend more time learning with her, all the random stuff I “learned” in my own actually clicks into place because I’m getting taught it all in proper context. It’s like building a kit by having someone read you the instructions step by step as opposed to you just opening a box full of pieces and trying to figure out what it is you’re building randomly as you go.
Honestly the time investment to be able to play a few songs is actually really quick on most instruments. Like on guitar you can go from having never held one to being able to play cool rock songs in under 30 minutes. Even a newborn infant just out of the womb can play a recognizable rendition of Smoke On The Water
I mostly agree with you, but I think it takes a little time to be able to play in something resembling the right rhythm. New players often struggle with changing chords (even 2 note power chords) quickly enough to play something that sounds musical.
But yeah, people would be surprised with how quickly you can learn to be a basic-but-functional guitarist.
For sure, especially with today’s access to information. Dynamic tabs, endless video tutorials, gamified apps, etc. It’s the string pressure on your fingertips that you’ll have to get used to first.
Guess who some time ago grapped the entry level guitar a friend wanted to give away and already mastered his first few accords! :-)
But things are going slooow when you have reached a certain age.
I just wish I already had started when I was still younger…I started when I was in 5th grade and I still don’t feel like where I want to be. Honestly, I think dissatisfaction with your current skill level is just a part of the arts for a lot of people. :)
I just wish I already had started when I was still younger…
So do I, and I always will, but that doesn’t take away the joy it’s brought me once I got over the first few hurdles.
I picked up the guitar during Covid, in my 60s. Over 5 years later, and I’m at about an intermediate level, and very happy with my progress.
Thanks to You Tube, learning an instrument has never been easier, especially the guitar. The best guitar teachers in the world are all over YouTube, with plenty of free content. I’m sure it’s the same with any instrument.
If you want to, do it.
Piano for me.
Would be guitar for me.
You can carry it around and has a nice social aspect…and nobody EVER asks for the piano recital of Wonderwall!
jerks
If we’re counting keyboards as a type of piano, you can get some that are pretty portable too. I lucked out and got a second hand one from my ex’s sister for free (she was getting rid of it anyway), and it’d pretty light and not too big!
I never got into rock n roll the way I got into sex and drugs.
Working out 🏋️♀️
I find it excruciatingly boring
Id literally rather piss my own pants
Luckily i can do neither as well
I think the key to exercise is finding a recreational activity that is physically active rather than trying to make yourself go to the gym. Barring that, tying gym time with something enjoyable like listening to audio books helps make it at least a little rewarding.
I don’t particularly love brushing my teeth twice a day,but its something you’ve gotta do.
Brushing your teeth takes 2 minutes. They tell you to spend a whole 30 minutes a day working out. 30 minutes of boredom, discomfort, pain and agony.
30 minutes a day for a lifetime of feeling healthy and unlocking the opportunity to live a longer life… Also endorphins are a thing.
This is a perspective that I’m likely too exercise-pilled to understand.
Don’t worry I got your back. I haaaaaate working out. Every second of it. It’s miserable, boring, tiring, and gross and sweaty.
However, since I started doing it I hate to admit that I am more energetic in everything else, I move easier, I’m not winded going up stairs, I’m happier, all the tripe they tell you is true.
It’s not 30 minutes because you have to enjoy it, it’s 30 minutes that improve the other 23.5 hours a day
I have my noise canceling headphones, so working out is quality time listening to hot tunes, sharp music, rumbling rhythms and crazy beats while pumpin iron.
Id literally rather piss my own pants
Well, you can’t spell “watersports” without “sports”.
Try a sport instead. You work out and have fun at the same time. Win win.
I think that if I started working out years ago I’d have developed a love for it and would relish the gains and new challenges and shit. Its so boring and painful though. I’ll not pick it up today and curse myself in another decade.
I never got myself to go to the gym. However, having a group workout once a week with a coach does help a lot: you kind of feel like you have to go because you’re expected, exercises are challenging and they vary from one session to the other. Quite a good balance for me. I would do it twice a week if I had the time
Sailing. Flying a plane.
Sailing canoe rigs can be fun, and you might be able to find a decently cheap Sunfish or Laser and have a ton of fun.
The plane one is a bit tougher.
The plane one is a bit tougher.
Gliders/sailplanes should be reasonably accessible.
Both great fun.
- Flying can be expensive and highly technical depending on where you are and what you fly
- I suppose sailing too depending. I did some sailing out of Boston harbor and had a blast but they were bigger boats, more expensive. Actually my regret was not taking them on any extended trips
Skateboarding. Wingsuit flying. BASE jumping.
All seem like SO much fun. But, Im entering middle age with two kids. Broken bones are not fun. Nor are risks not covered by my insurance, apparently. That’s what my partner tells me anyway. She gets final say on fun.
Or, the insurance company does. Whichever. They’re on the same side: against injury. And fun.
Skate- and/or long- boarding can be relatively safe in a fairly controlled environment. There’s no shame in getting fully decked out in protective gear and pads.
Rallycross. The day may come, but right now I have several higher priorities and more important places to put my money.
With Dirt Rally, you get a pretty damn good simulation experience for a fraction of the cost, a minimal time investment, and zero of the risks. All you need is a PC and a decent steeringwheel.
That would be a great way to get started before I get to a place in life where I can do the actual thing
Van life
Would recommend even if it’s in a small SUV.
Pottery!
Nothing is stopping you from picking up some air-dry clay and making pinch pots if you can’t swing for a wheel for some reason and don’t have access to a kiln (although air-dry can also be thrown on a wheel). It’s not like plaster, paper mache, or tile mosaics/stepping stones that need a lot of room to spread out due to just how messy those projects specifically can be.
