Improve Your Skills, Improve Your Life

Enjoy this guest post from Julie Morris, a career and life coach. Visit her site at juliemorris.org
-Nick Venturella, owner, tinycareer.com

Sometimes you just need something fun to try. You’re tired of plopping down on the couch for Netflix every night, and you can’t remember the last time you were challenged. It’s fun to lie around for a while, but you’re ready for more. Here are a few ideas to get you off that couch and into the real world.
 
Learn to Play a Musical Instrument
 
Let’s start with one of the best new skills around: learning to play a new musical instrument. This is a skill that lasts a lifetime, and you won’t be sorry you invested the time and money to do it well. Be consistent in practicing and before you know it, you’ll impress your family and friends with what you can do. Online lessons make this easy today. Just search for lessons for the instrument you want to play and get started.
 
You can also easily buy instruments online to use. Don’t overlook used instruments - many still have a lot of life left in them and you’ll get them at a cheaper price. Don’t be afraid to wheel and deal either. If you find an instrument you like online, make an offer and you may save some money. Whether you’re looking for a trumpet, clarinet, saxophone or something else, you will likely be able to find what you need.
 
Learning to play an instrument can also give you another benefit - socialization. As you get better at playing, you’ll naturally want to play with others. Whether that is in a community band,  just jamming with friends or even starting your own group, music can take you on a journey you won’t regret.
 
Writing Physical Letters
 
In our day and age, we have lost what it means to put pen to paper, write an actual, physical letter and send it to a friend. Remember the feeling of opening up the mailbox and seeing an envelope with your name written on it? Pick a few friends to write, or there are also plenty of online sites where you can sign up to find a pen pal. You can look for an international pen pal, someone who speaks a language you’re trying to learn, someone who is a student or even someone who might be going through the same kind of experience you are facing. Be careful about posting your address online - you may want to choose a site that doesn’t post your personal information publicly. Start writing some letters, and you never know what you might find on your next trip to the mailbox.
 
Homebrewing Beer
 
In 2017, craft beer passed the 10 percent mark of the overall U.S. beer industry for the first time, showing that Americans love their small-batch beers made in a non-mechanized, traditional manner. Many people love it so much they make their own at home. In fact, it’s a great new hobby if you love craft beer. There are many kits you can buy to get started at home, and many online courses that teach you how to go about making your own beer. You start with just four ingredients - grain, water, hops and yeast - and you end up with a cold, refreshing beverage. A gallon batch will make about 10 bottles and cost you about the same as a six-pack at the store.
 
Now that you have a few ideas, there’s no excuse not to hop up from the couch and learn a new skill that will make you a more well-rounded person. There’s so much out there to see and do even beyond this list. You may even make some friends once you put yourself out there.
 
Photo from Unsplas

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