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Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?

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Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?

#121

Post by jasonv »

ilaksh wrote: post #120

The question implies that 40 year olds can't learn new skills. So that is propagating ageism. And learning a new language is much harder than learning an ordinary skill. So that's a different question.

Just different. Neither an accusation nor an assertion. A conversation starter.

Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?

#122

Post by nicbou »

wiseleo wrote: post #95

Machining. It started with YouTube. I picked up a lot of concepts and that set my brain to recognize these tools. Then I randomly bought a milling supply company basically for almost nothing while shopping for interesting deals. Well, now I have multiple tons of milling tooling and so obviously I need a 3-ton milling machine. Looking at an older CNC mill. So that’s one skill. Another is automotive repair. My skill le…

I'm slowly picking up "dicking around in the garage" as a hobby, and you are so right about these skills being connected. It makes use of so many different skills. It also builds your confidence, and makes you feel like you can build or fix just about anything. I feel like I always walk out of the garage an inch taller.

I think This Old Tony and Rainfall Projects were my gateway drugs

Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?

#123

Post by smarri »

etothepii wrote: post #16
smarri wrote: post #2

I'm not in the age demographic you mention, but also not far from it. I've picked up chess, German, and golf. I've found the key to getting better (so far) is simply to practice as often as possible, even a little per day. I also think being older I have the confidence that I can learn skills, and I know that I only need to apply myself. In my younger years I used to think you either had the ability or not, but now I…

How've you found golf? I took it up at 30 and was hitting rounds of 200+ now I'm 33 I'm still happy if I break 120.

Similar here, it takes a lot of practice but really satisfying when I see progress. I also see this as a long term hobby that hopefully can continue for many decades, so happy to be on a slow path. Happy golfing etothepii!

Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?

#125

Post by thejteam »

I didn't learn to ride a bike until I was 39. Motivation was that I had just taught my oldest daughter to ride and I wanted to be able to go out with her. Also proving that yes, it is possible to teach people things you have never done yourself.

I picked up a cheap hybrid bike (about $250) from Dicks Sporting Goods and just started putzing around the backyard until I felt confident enough to go out on asphalt. Took a week or two, then I was out cruising the neighborhood.

I don't consider myself good at all, but now I know how to do it.

Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?

#126

Post by internetbird »

Yes. I started playing Chess in the past year. I realy love it and getting more and more addicted every day. I decided to purchase a subscription for Chess.com where they have lots of video lesson, puzzles and also allow you to analyze the games you play.

I believe that you can (and should) start learning new skills at any age

Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?

#129

Post by zuzuleinen »

akudha wrote: post #62
weinzierl wrote: post #26

I started taking weight training seriously about a year ago, Then came the virus and the lock-downs. Gyms closed for weeks where I live. At the moment they are still closed again. I didn't want to build a home gym with heavy weights, especially because hopefully gyms will open again some day. I also didn't want to lose the muscle I built which made me segue into body weight training and calisthenics. Previously I had…

How did you learn calisthenics? Any resources you can share?

Not OP, but I used the following resources:

Convict Conditioning book. There is also an app on Android call Convict Conditioning which I use to track progress.

calimove.com Paid classes but they really teach you good form

Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?

#130

Post by ryandrake »

phobosanomaly wrote: post #112
ryandrake wrote: post #61

Building a two seater, 180hp kit airplane in my garage. Learned all the skills I need post-40. Honestly I enjoy drilling and riveting metal more than computers anymore.

Did you start off with smaller projects first, or just jump in head-first with the plane?

Did a few little practice projects to get comfortable with riveting but for the most part jumped right in. I had prior hobby woodworking experience, so I didn’t have to relearn shop safety, many of the power tools, patience and the “measure twice cut once” mentality, etc. Anyway, if you make a mistake you can just redo the part. A lot of kit manufacturers divide their kits into subkits you can buy separately, allowing you to space the costs out over many years.
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