I don’t know about you, but I really love trying new things. It might be new food, new recipes, new activities or just even a new way of doing old things. I am told that by changing the way you do things, you force your brain to keep active.
Do new things
I have no trouble at all doing new things, in fact I am so good at doing new things, I often move on before I have fully mastered the skill. Then some years later, I have to remember how to do it, and I have forgotten entirely!
These last few weeks, I have been doing new things
- I have tried my hand at stone carving. That was really fun. I spent 5 or 6 hours using a hammer and a chisel on a large chunk of sandstone. Next week I get to try mosaic. I am so looking forward to it.
This is how it started
and this is how it ended!
- I have built a new website (It is live, but under wraps at the minute, until I get it the way I want it) It is really to publicise my metal work.
- Once a week, I have been trying a new recipe. Some work, others don’t. So what? Many years ago, I had a colleague who always ate the same meals each week. So if it was Friday he always knew what would be for tea. He reckoned it made things easier to shop etc. I thought – how boring!
- I got some new types of enamel, which I have really been enjoying myself playing with. It has fired me up again about making things. I had really slowed down. I was sort of stuck, but they have really got the creative energies going again. The red on these hearts is just stunning, and I love the grey & black texture. Very understated.
- Yesterday I walked in a different part of town. I had driven through, but I had never walked through the streets and looked around me. (I have lived in Edinburgh for 40 years!). I never thought to take a few photographs. I should have done. It was a lovely almost warm February day.
Do old things in a new way
Try these simple activities
- Use the scraper to clean out the shower in your other hand. How weird does that feel? It takes so much longer and you really have to think about it. I am right handed, and I normally start at the door and move round the shower to the right. But when I used my left hand, I was really awkward, until I realised I had to work to the left. then it was easier.
- Sit in a different place when you next watch TV. Look around you. You’ll get a totally different perspective of your room. If you’re like me, you’ll notice things that need fixing or dusting… But it makes me more alert, I am less likely to fall asleep in the chair. Strange isn’t it.
- You have a journey to make. Go a different route. Look out the window and see what is happening. The scenery will be different. You will be more aware of your surroundings.
- Change a few things in your cupboards around. I admit to finding this seriously confusing. I want a cup, I reach in cupboard X, but it is now in cupboard Y. It is really frustrating, but you are making your brain create new pathways. (Though to be honest, some years ago the cupboards fell down in our study, one of my first ever blog posts. Two years on, I still reach for where something used to be… )
Do you feel different?
I hope so. Change is good. It is so easy to get into a comfortable (some might say lazy) routine, particularly when you are retired. Being forced to change when you are very fixed in your ways is difficult, but if you keep your body and mind flexible, it is so much easier. These ideas are only a starter, to give you food for thought.
Keep changing and learning. Your brain will thank you!
If you would like to pin this, and please do, just click on the picture below
Last year I came a across a “52 New Things” idea for the year… just one new thing a week, I thought. Like you indicated, it was all kinds of things. I loved keeping track of them and blew by the 52 in no time at all. This year my goal is 101 New and/or Fun things. I added in Old & Fun since I added so many things into my life last year with the 52 new things. My list in early March is at 40. And just re-reading the list makes me smile. You’ve inspired me to put some more creative things on that list – stone carving? Hmmm.
Hi Pat thanks for stopping by. You’re right with the idea of old things, some things I used to do, I no longer do, so I should revisit them! I totally support the idea of Fun things too.
Those hearts are beautiful – it might be time to fire up the Etsy shop and start making a living from them 🙂 And you’re so right about doing the same things in a different way – it makes our brains work that little bit harder. I notice the difference when I go for my morning walk in the opposite direction – fresh perspectives! And also I like that you didn’t take photos on your walk – it showed you were in the moment and connected – and that’s more important than taking a few pics.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
Hi Leanne
Thanks for your support. Sadly I have tried Etsy, but no success so I closed my shop a few months ago…. Ah well. One I gave to a friend and she was delighted!
Erith
Hi Pat, you are a woman after my own heart. I do love to try new things and challenge myself because it keeps me evolving (WOTY) and growing as a person. Can’t wait to see your new website. I always get excited when I change mine it is like a new beginning and inspires me. Thanks for sharing at #MLSTL. Your stonework and the hearts are really good! Very creative and inspiring. Have a great week. xx
Thanks Sue
Evolving is a good way of looking at it, I am certainly a different person than 10 years ago! (For the better…)
I’ve been populating the website this week, but still not happy with my theme, so trying out a few different ones. It will be a week or two yet I think.
This has really got me thinking about how to shake up my life a little. Right now I’m taking a course ~ Piano Solos ~ learning about classical music and composers like Chopin. This is new for me. I’m a soft-rock, country, folk music person. I’ll be sharing this on Facebook and Twitter for #MLSTL.
Thanks Mary Lou
I keep forget to put the hashtag when I share the #MLSTL posts. I’ll have to get better at it.
I’m not a great music person, but if I listen to anything it is generally classical. I hope you enjoy the rest of your course.
Hello Erith! I am mostly a creature of habit, but I do like trying new recipes. I’m also intrigued by the idea of doing my usual tasks or activities in a slightly different way. You’ve inspired me to give it a try. Thanks!
Every little helps!
Many people focus on trying to reach retirement but forget to plan for life during retirement. Thanks for sharing your new projects. Changing by learning new skills is a key to a happy retirement. – Robert Otman
Hi Robert
I absolutely agree. Hopefully I will be along time retired, but it would soon get boring if I never did anything different!
ERith