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Home » Blog » Habit #29 Start a bucket list and learn something new
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Habit #29 Start a bucket list and learn something new

October 29, 2016 by Rebecca Huff // This post contains affiliate links

Have you ever wanted to learn archery? Maybe you've always wanted to learn the latin dances? Ever thought about boosting your kitchen skills or learning to make pottery? Whatever strikes your fancy, consider signing up for a few lessons or classes by yourself or with a few of your closest friends to learn something new together.

Knowledge empowers you and makes you a better conversationalist. Learning new things gives you the opportunity to meet new people and promotes personal growth. Even if you are in a busy season of life raising children, you can learn new things to help your children or you can learn things with your children. My son is currently fascinated by other countries and cultures, herbs and lots more! I have to study along with him to keep up with what he knows!

By the way, learning a new skill will set such a good example for your children as that thirst for knowledge is contagious!

Gardening, knitting, dancing whatever suits your fancy, learn something new #31habits #write31days

Do you have a bucket list that includes learning new things? Not only does learning something new make you a well-rounded individual it also improves your brain. Learning new things can have a positive effect on many aspects of your health. Learning a new skill, such as dancing, require sustained concentration and coordination which are beneficial in boosting neurological blood flow.  Learning a new skill can also prevent depression.

Learning to garden is a wonderful way to study something new. If you grow vegetables you can eat them or give them away. Flowers can be given as a meaningful gift and are beautiful to look at while you work. I have killed so many orchids that recently I checked out a library book to figure out what I'm doing wrong. My grandmother grew African Violets and my husbands Grandfather grew flowers for florists!

If you don't have space or the ability to garden on a large scale, you could take up miniature gardening! If there is something you want to do, put it on your bucket list and let nothing stand in your way. When you want to do something bad enough there is always a way to accomplish your goal. Think big and think small too!

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Dancing or learning a new instrument is a wonderful skill to learn at any time in life. From college age through senior living, learning to dance or play an instrument creates new pathways in your brain, which is a good thing. My daughter Haley and I took dance classes together and we are twenty-four years apart in age.

Learning a craft like woodworking, knitting, photography, sewing or painting will broaden your skill set and at the same time allows you to have a finished product to give away as gifts! We have a tradition of doing a handmade gift exchange each year where these skills come in handy!

Maybe you don't have the room in your budget to start learning a new skill that requires spending money.

How about learning a new language? Believe it or not, you can learn a new language for free. Youtube has so many language learning channels available and the library usually has some language learning curriculum to borrow. If you have a friend who speaks another language they would most likely be happy to teach you a few phrases.

When you learn a new language your brain does a happy dance! It's never too late to reap the cognitive benefits of learning a new language. In fact, learning a new language later in life changes the brain and improves cortical thickness leading to better memory and sharper thinking! Interestingly enough, one University study showed that learning two languages from birth had no impact on the brain. So in this case later is better than ever!

Additionally, this study showed that people who learned a second language showed signs of dementia almost five years later than their counterparts who only spoke one language. A very compelling reason to start learning! You don't have to reach expert level by any means, simply start learning.

I studied French in high school, learned a little German while stationed in Zweibrucken, Germany serving in the USAF. Learned enough Spanish to understand my favorite Bachata songs in my 30s. Then I started studying Mandarin Chinese several years ago for my dream trip to China.  My children started learning Korean in Taekwondo class and this year we all started studying Korean.

Whatever you put on your bucket list to learn, practice, practice, practice. You see practice rewires your brain. If you are interested in the science behind it, here's an article explaining how it works. I hope you will create a new habit of learning new things. If you do plan to learn something new, share your goal with me in the comments, I'd love to hear all about it! I really would, so please share.

Pin this post for inspiration!

Gardening, knitting, dancing whatever suits your fancy, learn something new #31habits #write31days

Category: #31habitsTag: #31habits, #write31days, bucket list, learn new things

About Rebecca Huff

In 1991 I became a mom. It was the beginning of what I consider the most important career in life. As a mother to 6 children, I am constantly living by trial and error to figure out what works for my family! I have many passions but my number one will always be my children!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Edith

    October 30, 2016 at 10:23 pm

    A few years ago, after crocheting for (many) years, I also took up knitting , because I wanted some handmade socks. Problem is, I keep giving away the ones I make for myself…..☺

    • Rebecca

      November 5, 2016 at 2:04 pm

      I love knitting Edith! So far I haven’t made socks but it’s on my bucket list. I’ve made scarves, leg warmers, baby blankets, dish rags, placemats, coasters, a cup warmer and fingerless gloves. Socks are soon! I love to give away my work now that I’m better at it!

      Best wishes!

  2. [email protected]

    July 30, 2019 at 6:47 pm

    I love languages. I’ve always wanted to learn German. Sounds like maybe it’s time.

    • Rebecca Huff

      July 31, 2019 at 6:11 am

      My daughter Macey is learning German! I lived there for nearly two years and only learned a little bit. The AF Base that I was stationed at had been there for so long that all the Germans spoke perfect English. Do you ever use Duolingo? Pimsleur is also good!

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