Since turning 40, I have started to play the guitar and mandolin, though I had some very basics a long time ago. I learned Swedish, though I am not proficient; I am passable. I became a cognitive scientist after 40, after being a lawyer for most of my career (new skills: reading/writing scientific papers, designing experiments, statistical analysis that I hadn't done in 20 years, etc). I learned how to bake (bread, mostly), though I knew pretty well how to cook in general since I was young, so this maybe wasn't too difficult.
Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?
131–140 of 164 posts
Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?
#132Machining. 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…
Damn you sound cool, can I be your friend?
Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?
#133In the 10 yrs since turning 40 I’ve picked up audio engineering and full DAW programming and tooling for music. Been writing and mixing a lot. Have had a few tracks released on some label compilations, am working on a solo EP, and have a full-length album I’ve written part of and mixed all of with my band coming out in Feb. feels really, Really good.
Very cool. What DAW did you end up choosing? Did you stick with the first one you tried, or did you try several before picking?
Ableton Live Suite. Started on 9, went to 10, I’m now beta testing 11. After adjusting / finding a workflow I really like it. Picked originally based on recommendations and compatibility with other members of my band. I have written Max4live plugins. Also written synths in NI Reaktor.
Had to be Win and Mac (some plaftform freedom) due to availability of highend VSTs I wanted and now have (FabFilter, Serum, Massive, etc).
I also use ChucK for some sample development programming.
Helped that I already played guitar and bass.
Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?
#134I'm 55. I'm in Startup School.
I've had a longstanding interest in having my own business and it just hasn't really panned out. I was a homemaker for a long time. During the time, I could not wrap my brain around the concept of making money. It was alien to everything I was doing.
Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?
#135I 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…
> I didn't want to build a home gym with heavy weights if you want to be a minimalist then a pair of dumbbells or kettlebells would be enough. You don't need much
Adding to this, you'd be surprised how well resistance power bands work. You can pick up an off brand set from Amazon which is very affordable and can be used to hit every muscle group, it's like having an entire gym in a small bag.
Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?
#136Due to the pandemics, I bought a PS4 and started gaming at 47, I really like Far Cry! Looking forward to a PS5!
Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?
#137I went to a pottery-class on a whim, and I've kept going for the past year.
Objectively my results are pretty terrible, but I'm getting better over time, I find it relaxing in fun, and nothing beats eating a meal you've cooked on a plate you've made, while drinking coffee from your own unique mug:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDYo7FhjKkQ/
(No wheels involved, though I'm looking forward to trying those in the future.)
Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?
#138Earlier quoted context omitted.
It’s definitely harder with kids, but I’ve actually used my kids as a catalyst for learning. There are loads of hobbies and activities I’ve taken up just as a way to expose them to the world.
Like what? Share some ideas, please.
Cookery? Languages? Music? Singing? Dancing/Excercise?
To be honest I did those kinda things already, except for the singing, but having a small child those are the kinda things he likes at the moment. No doubt his tastes will change over time, but I'm gonna try to join in with his interests at least until such time as he doesnt' want his "uncool" dad doing so.
Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?
#139I try to learn something new every year. Short list that I can share: Mandarin, Sanskrit, improv, Carnatic music, flute, astrology, astronomy/star gazing, drawing, clay art, cosmetics and perfumery formulations.
Re: Ask HN: Have you picked up any new skill from scratch in your 40s or later?
#140Due to the pandemics, I bought a PS4 and started gaming at 47, I really like Far Cry! Looking forward to a PS5!
Ha. Took up Skyrim: Elder Scrolls...
Turns out there are some things about me cannot be changed, even in a fantasy world.
Yup, happy to change skin (and gender) in anyway.
But any scenario in which my follower or dog dies.... it's reload from an old save time.
Any quest that's too yucky ethically, I just don't do.