I Tried Learning a New Skill Each Week

This could be the key to discovering new passions.

By
Maryam Khaleghi Yazdi

I’m the type of person who’s always been big on trying to keep learning. I went back to school as an older student. I create random arts and crafts projects from TikTok. I challenge myself to learn new hula hoop tricks. I even tried teaching myself a new language I knew I would never use.

Some of that might sound like a waste of time. But turns out, my curiosity and love for lifelong learning are actually good for my brain. According to Harvard Health, mentally stimulating activities, like trying something unfamiliar or challenging, help with memory and neuroplasticity, your brain’s ability to build new pathways and connections. In other words, learning new things keeps your brain strong and working at its best.

So when I came across a “learn a new skill every week” challenge online, I was more than ready to try it for a month. Here’s how it went:

Week 1: Nail art

I do my own manicures with gel polish, but I’ve always struggled with designs. So I picked out some nail art tutorials on YouTube and TikTok, gathered my nail tools and followed along. Some of my “art” was atrocious, but I ended up learning how to do a few designs that actually look good.

Week 2: Candle making

I signed up for a group class at a candle bar. The instructor helped us make a candle from scratch. I got to choose the kind of container and scent I wanted for my candle. Pouring the wax had me nervous because you have to keep the wick centered. But my candle turned out so cute.

Week 3: Self-defense moves

Signing up for a self-defense class has been on my to-do list for ages, but I never got around to doing it. So, I used online video tutorials to learn some basic self-defense moves. I now know how to react if someone grabs me from behind, by the arm or by the hair. Hopefully, I’ll never need any of the moves, but they’re good to know.

Week 4: Candy making

First, I used a recipe to make homemade filled chocolates. A couple of days later, I attempted caramel candies. Umm, yeah, that turned out to be a whole sticky mess. Not sure if it was me or the recipe.

Doing something different each week gave me something to look forward to and kept it fun.

Some things I figured out along the way:

  • Learning can happen however you prefer. Formal education, reading, videos, tutorials, DIY, whatever. It all counts.
  • Choose something doable. I thought about learning to swim one week, but realized that would take more time. I found it’s best to pick skills that are realistically possible in a week.
  •  It’s not about perfection. After some frustration that first week, I had to shift my mindset. No one becomes a pro at anything in seven days. Believe me, a lot of my filled chocolates were a lumpy mess. But they were edible!
  • The weekly deadlines helped. Knowing that I was attempting to learn the skill in a week put a little fire in me. It helped me stay focused and motivated me to practice. I also looked forward to switching it up each week.
  • It doesn’t have to be expensive. The stuff I tried was low-cost or free.
  •  It doesn’t have to take much time. I fit learning in whenever it was most convenient for me: after dinner, on weekends, 20-minute chunks whenever I had downtime.
  • Learning new skills boosts confidence. Throughout the weeks, I constantly felt the “you did that” pride. Each new skill was like a mini-win for me.

So now that my self-imposed month-long challenge is over, am I done? No way! I’m surprised and pleased with all I learned. I’m going to keep trying to learn new skills that seem useful, interesting or just plain fun. Who knows? I may find a new favorite hobby or passion. And even if I don’t, there are so many benefits. I’m still giving my brain a workout. I’m being social when I try group activities. I’m enjoying myself. Plus, some of my “tried-it-and-failed” experiences have been hilarious (like my attempt to learn an Australian accent).

So if you’ve been thinking about learning or trying something new (or even if you haven’t), consider this your sign to go for it.

Tamekia Reece is a Houston-based freelance writer who covers all things health, relationship and parenting. In addition to Sisters, she has contributed to numerous print and digital publications, including Woman's Day, Parents, Prevention.com, OprahDaily.com and GoodHousekeeping.com.