This post is the fourth in a five part series about how to feel fabulous about your life and especially, your age. Scroll down for links to the first three stories.
As full grown women we have developed a great deal of expertise, but we still need to keep learning new things. Not only does pursuing knowledge keep us current and engaged in the world, it’s good for our brains. Studies show that learning new skills and mastering new subjects improves memory and promotes sharp thinking. Remember when you were in school, how you lost a good part of what you’d learned over the summer? Well that can happen to us big time after age 50 if we don’t stay intellectually curious and open to new ideas and subjects.
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”
Henry ford
Travel is a great way to learn about new things. I’m going to Paris this summer and I’ve been taking French lessons. My brain spins after every hour-long class with my teacher Christine, who speaks to me entirely in French, but I’m so excited about being able to chat with the locals when I’m in France. You don’t have to go far to benefit. We went to Miami last weekend and I learned all about CrossFit (yikes). I drove through the Everglades and they’re weird and beautiful! I discovered a tribe of native Americans I’d never heard of, the Miccosukee, that lives right off Tamiami Trail—they have an interesting history.
Opportunities for learning are everywhere. You can read a book, take an art class, watch a Ted talk, or study with renowned experts on Masterclass. The world is endlessly interesting and guess what? You don’t know everything. Pick a topic to dive into—try a new recipe, read up on investing, study a period of history or learn to play poker. We don’t want to become stuck-in-a-rut, close-minded, know-it-all, fuddy-duddies. Being curious is like the fountain of youth!
Growing older gracefully means having a keen curiosity about learning things about the world that you didn’t know yesterday, no matter how many yesterdays you’ve had.”
Padma Lakshmi
What have you been learning lately and how does it make you feel? I’d love to know. I’ll be back mid-week with the final part of this series. But if you missed days 1-3, you can click on the titles below and check them out. Have a fabulous day!
Fully Fabulous 
I love Henry Ford’s quote. I am always energized when I am learning so I need to be more intentional about building learning opportunities into my week instead of waiting for them to fall into my lap.
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I must get better at this. Thanks for the reminder!
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I’m so impressed that you’re tackling French. What a great reminder that we can take the initiative to move out of our comfort zone and try something new and interesting. Love it!
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Merci beaucoup, Laura! 🥐
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