How do we truly define middle age? It’s more than just hitting the milestone of 40—an age I’ve recently embraced with plans to remain vibrant and active well into my 80s. Middle age embodies a stage of life that holds great potential. After spending my 20s lost in dreams and my 30s navigating the chaos of early parenthood, I am determined to make my 40s a decade of action and achievement.
There’s always been a persistent hum in the back of my mind, reminding me that time is fleeting and that I crave knowledge and mastery. As I celebrated my 40th birthday, that hum intensified, akin to a power tool buzzing just outside my window. It’s time to tackle those skills I’ve long neglected.
Here are seven areas I aim to conquer during this vital decade:
- Deciphering A Prairie Home Companion: Is Garrison Keillor orchestrating the longest-running practical joke in history? Am I missing the brilliance behind his words as he broadcasts each week? I’m committed to unraveling this mystery, even if it means enduring countless quirky jingles about bygone Midwestern products while I scrub the dishes on Saturday nights.
- Enduring Surreal Cinema: I aspire to watch a surreal film without retreating to do laundry or cleaning chores. My husband is an avid film lover, especially of the surreal genre, and we’ve faced our share of disagreements over my more limited cinematic taste. I might have dozed off during Casablanca, but I’m determined to stay engaged for films like The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, resisting the urge to exclaim, “Oh my God! They went to a restaurant!”
- Mastering Textiles: I want to become savvy about fabrics so I can confidently shop online at The Gap. Terms like Slub, Modal, and Burnout bewilder me. While I can identify a Peter Pan collar, I need to catch up on the textile language before I hit the “purchase” button.
- Cooking Without Constantly Consulting Recipes: My goal is to prepare meals without checking a recipe repeatedly. I want to sauté mushrooms without second-guessing whether to add oregano immediately or how long to cook the onions. In my dreams, I’m a culinary pro sipping red wine in a beautifully appointed kitchen. Yet, each time I check the recipe, I realize I’ve miscalculated the chicken broth needed or forgotten to chop walnuts.
- Sewing Skills: I picked up sewing at age 10 but never progressed beyond basic stitches. With my child soon to start school, I aspire to be that mom who can mend clothes and whip up Halloween costumes. My husband once crafted doll clothes from scraps of fabric, and now I’m determined to make a set of play clothes for our daughter—perhaps from our living room curtains. Note to self: Buy new curtains.
- Tying Scarves with Style: I believe that middle-aged individuals should have a sense of style. I admire the elegant older women I see, often draped in scarves after attending a show at Lincoln Center. I’ve discovered there are countless ways to tie a scarf, and I plan to learn at least six of them—illustrations and a full-length mirror will be essential.
- Understanding Technology: I struggle with basic tech tasks—setting the DVR, properly loading the dishwasher, and even recording a greeting on our answering machine. When our dry cleaner called to inform us that they had to discard two shirts due to damage, I accidentally set the voicemail to announce our embarrassment. It’s time for me to gain control over these gadgets.
So, these are a few skills I plan to master in middle age. Just a few, as I still intend to be dancing full-time at 50!
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In summary, the 40s can be a transformative decade filled with opportunities to cultivate new skills and interests. Embrace the journey of self-improvement and enjoy the process.