Self Expression – Things we are not too old to try
Well, I’m 40 (turned 40 in April) and find myself full of “GO! GO NOW!!, I’M NOT THERE YET??, WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG??” energy. Is it because 40 is another milestone for each of us to reach and I went running into it? Could it be the hustle of everyday living (do the hustle…da da da dada dada dad da…Okay, the song is stuck in my head)? Whatever it is, I kind of like it since it give me momentum to try different things so I won’t get too bored with myself. I may be a little older but age does not give me an excuse not to try one or two of those hobbies I was itching do when I was younger. 40 is not too old to try different things. Hey, by the time you were 40, you KNOW there are things you would have loved to have tried when you were in your teens, 20’s or 30’s. I’m not the only one!
For example, I always wanted to do an art painting class. I took one class of drawing with charcoal many years ago (NOT THAT MANY YEARS PEOPLE) and thought a painting class would be cool. Never got around to it (college or later)… Responsibilities (getting a degree, working, church responsibilities, pets, etc.) and cost put the art class on the backburner. Well, I can now mark the art class off the list. I went with a group of friends recently to a class where you bring your snacks and drinks and get instructions on how to paint. We had music (supplied by one of the participants painting), brought the snacks and wine and had a great time painting. I was a little skeptical about how the paintings would turn out especially since the picture was full of different colors and textures. I was thinking “THERE IS NO WAY MY PAINTING WILL LOOK EVEN REMOTELY SIMILAR. HELLO, MY PAINTING WON’T EVEN BE RECOGNIZABLE!!!” I was very surprised and pleased on the outcome By the way, you do not need to know how to draw. These instructors gave us an outline to follow. Kudos to the instructors!!! You made it look so easy (yeah, we had A LOT of help). As for the cost, it was $35 which includes instruction, paint, brushes and canvass. WELL WORTH IT!!! It was 3 hours of fun and I didn’t break anything. People still ask me who did your painting.
Most of the time I am consumed with work, home chores, helping family, pets, etc. that I have to miss some of my hobbies. Mostly my hobbies are there to keep me sane so when I can’t find something relaxing or enjoyable to do, it tends to stress me out. Now, some people use the gym to distress themselves but I find it stressing ‘because I began thinking about that darn W word (WEIGHT) or that P word (POUNDS) when I exercise at the gym. Somebody ALWAYS has to bring up weight issues when I am there!! I know, I know… It defeats the purpose. I still go but I now use a radio to tune out weight concerns. Anyway, over a year ago I thought about finding another form of exercise and at the same time strike another entry off the TO-DO list. I love to dance so I enrolled in a belly dancing course in my city. That was one of the BEST thing I could have done. I LOVE IT!!! (Yes, I am 40 and belly dancing. GET OVER IT!) All the ladies there are a blessing to be around and no one is critiquing your body. We are all there to enjoy the dance and that is what we do. My instructor teaches traditional Egyptian (very graceful I might add) and NO YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DANCE. We (some of the beginners) even got to participate in the class recital last year eventhough some of us had not been dancing 6 months yet. It just shows how much we (the women and I) enjoy the class. NO MEN ALLOWED in this class so ladies you can be yourselves. Besides, at 40, we are only going to be ourselves. That is what Mother Nature intended (I know this statement came from a commercial somewhere…).
So what are some other things to try once the milestone of 40 has been attained? There are activities where you can sit (needle craft, knitting, and quilting) and meditate (read and writing). There are others that require movement (ballroom dancing, climbing mountain, riding roller coasters (watch the hair), etc.) There are some activities that require standing like cooking. Is there another Iron Chef in the mist??? Whatever it is, you are not too old to try them. Live just a little bit. Find a hobby that you enjoy and is willing to share just a little of your time each week. At least you will get to keep your sanity
Sonya G
Note: Readers, write back to me and let me know new hobbies that you are now doing in your 40’s that you enjoy.
