Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution to master a new hobby? And did you end up abandoning it by the end of January? Then you’ll know how hard it can be to learn a new skill.
Yet, learning new things is incredibly beneficial. New skills can help keep your brain limber, increase self-esteem, and help you find community and belonging. So how can you make them stick? We’ve found five great tips that can help you embrace your next dream hobby.
The benefits of learning new things
Before we get into the how, let’s discuss the why. We’re all busy, all day, so why should you sacrifice precious relaxation time to try and learn a new skill?
One of the best reasons is that trying a new hobby or activity can be good for you. Just as stretching your body is good for you physically, stretching your brain can be good for you mentally.
In an article for Harvard Health, Jennifer Fisher, MMSc, PA-C, says that “lifelong learning plays a key role in cognitive fitness”. She goes on to explain that there is a connection between learning and retaining neuroplasticity. And neuroplasticity is a vital part of overall wellbeing.
On top of this, it’s simply good fun. Do you remember the sense of awed achievement you felt as a kid when you discovered a new talent or interest? You can have that again as an adult. Learning new things can remind you to embrace the wonder that is all around us. It’s joyful. And, no matter where you are in life, a little bit of joy is worth holding on to.
How to learn a new skill or hobby in five steps
So, learning a skill can have many benefits for your overall wellbeing. But how do you get started? And, more importantly, how do you stick to it? At ForEveryone, we host creative workshops and events every week. This means we’ve become experts in helping people discover the hobbies they love. And we’re here to help!
We’re sharing our favourite tips for learning something new.
-
Explore what makes you curious
One of the best ways to make learning feel like fun is to try something you’re already curious about. Maybe you’re intrigued by words, and so you’re drawn to a language or writing class. Maybe you love doing things with your hands, and so you’re pulled towards a hands-on hobby.
What sparks your curiosity can be a very individual thing. But that is the beauty of it. Whatever you are curious about, there is a skill to match. And when you allow yourself to be led by your curiosity, you’ll find that the learning part comes almost without you realising.
-
Start small
When you first try something new, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with how much there is to learn. Take a cosy hobby like knitting for example. You might see someone knitting a sweater and realise that to get there you have to learn to knit and purl and join and and and…
Yet, before you let the overwhelmed feeling put you off, take a step back. Remember, even the most complicated looking of skills can be broken down into easier parts. After all, a journey of a thousand knitted sweaters begins with a simple slip knot.
-
Pick the projects that excite you
Once you’ve learned the first steps of your new activity, where do you go next? This is a question that only you can answer. The best idea? Pick the projects that excite you. And this doesn’t necessarily have to mean picking a beginner project (although there is nothing wrong with that, either!).
Say you want to learn to crochet. You might start with small projects like dishcloths. Or, you might prefer to leap right into making clothes like a hexicardigan. Both routes will help keep you motivated to learn a new skill. You just need to decide what excites you the most..
-
Embrace your mistakes
All beginners make mistakes. They’re inevitable. And they’re also nothing to worry about. In fact, often it is the mistakes we make along the way that teach us the most. By discovering what not to do, and how to fix things when they go awry, you can gain so much knowledge about your new hobby.
Let’s say you are interested in pottery. If your piece cracks in the kiln, it’s ok to be sad. But, if you can dust yourself off, you’ll see this as a learning experience. And next time you’ll remember to really get the air bubbles out before you sculpt.
-
Celebrate your personal wins
When you are learning a skill, a great way to stay motivated is to celebrate all the wins you get along the way. Each new thing you learn is a milestone achievement, something you didn’t know how to do when you woke up. That is always worth celebrating.
If you don’t think you’ve done anything worth celebrating yet, take a minute to remember where you began. And try to avoid comparing your journey to that of others. As they say, comparison is the thief of joy – don’t let it take yours! Set your own pace, and allow yourself to feel joy at each step.
One bonus step: how ForEveryone can help you stay motivated
When you try and learn a new skill on your own, one of the trickiest bits can be staying motivated. It’s all too easy to have life get in the way, and then you look around and realise it has been weeks since you worked at your new activity.
That’s where ForEveryone can help. Our creative, hands-on workshops are ideal places to find support, no matter where you’re at. They’re places for beginners to find friendly advice. And they’re where those with more knowledge can find inspiration. Either way, they are ideal for anyone looking for support and friendly motivation.
From pottery to knitting, creative writing to improv, we have a large range of workshops to suit every taste. Why not check one out? The start of your skill learning journey can be just one workshop away.