The real name of ‘Grandma Moses’, a painter who depicted American farm life, is Anna Mary Robertson Moses. He began painting in earnest after retiring from work on the family farm when he was seventy-seven years old. The painting was offered along with jam at a country market, and later became widely known when a collector discovered the work hanging in a pharmacy window.
From the beginning, I did not pick up a paintbrush with the plan to become a famous painter. When arthritis made embroidery, which I had been doing for a long time, difficult, the starting point was to find another activity that I could continue with my hands. He left behind more than 1,500 paintings before his death at the age of 101.
You don't need to read this story as a promise that anyone can succeed late in life. Even if you don't become famous, it's meaningful that something new you learn can make your day fun and open a different path when you can no longer do what you're used to.
As you approach retirement, you feel impatience as if you need to learn something new. I start by thinking about whether I should get a certification that will help me get a new job or learn digital skills. Then, when you think, “What can I use what I’ve learned at this age?” you get tired before you even start.
However, learning for those in their late 50s and early 60s who are just starting their social lives does not have to be solely for preparation for employment. There are learnings that will test your second job, and there are also learnings that will make the longer weekdays more enjoyable. Rather than feeling pressured to do well, I can learn as much as I need in my life.
The standard for learning that starts late is not speed, but whether it is a little less unfamiliar than yesterday.
🌱 Change your goal from ‘doing well’ to ‘getting used to it’
If you try to become proficient from the beginning, the start will be difficult. If you want to learn smartphone photography, you can start by finding a photo and sending it to your family, rather than making a great video. If it is a foreign language, you can learn the greetings you want to use while traveling rather than memorizing long sentences.
Instead of “doing well in a month,” set your first learning goal as “to meet familiar people in a month.” Just doing it for 15 minutes at the same time every day will reduce the burden.
If you're having trouble deciding what to learn, write down three questions on a piece of paper. If it's one of the following: something you've been curious about for a long time but put off, something you want to do on your own in your current life, or something you'll enjoy while learning, there's a reason to start. A topic that I can revisit next week will last longer than a field that others say is promising.
Rather than registering for multiple courses at once, you can start with a free trial or a one-month course. If you buy a lot of textbooks and equipment first, you may be forced to continue learning for which you are not suited because of the cost. After taking the class two or three times, see if the speed, distance traveled, and amount of homework fit your lifestyle.
AI 생성 by 낭만자두🙋 Asking what you don’t know is also learning
The older you get, the harder it can be to say you don't know. This is because I feel like I have to know this much since I have lived so long. However, asking questions is not a way to reveal shortcomings; it is a way to save time.
When choosing a course, first check whether beginners can repeat the questions, whether the pace of the class is appropriate, and whether there is large print material. You can also start by looking at places that are less costly, such as local libraries or community centers. When learning about digital devices, you should also learn the basic principle of not handing over your passwords or financial information to others.
Before deciding on a course, it is good to check three things.
- Can complete beginners participate?
- Is it okay to ask the same question again?
- Will the cost and travel time be a burden to my daily life?
AI 생성 by 낭만자두✨ The expression of the day changes more than the result
Learning doesn't necessarily have to lead to certification or income. It can be a second job that leads to a small income, or it can remain the joy of understanding words today that you didn't know yesterday. The experience of doing something you couldn't do on your own adds a little confidence to your day. Meeting people with similar interests is a gift of learning.
It's okay to quickly forget what you learned. If you know how to look again, that's enough change. Speed is only a standard for comparison and is not a qualification for learning.
☕ Today’s 15 minutes
If you have something in mind for a long time, you don’t have to apply today. Search for the course name, open a book, and write down why you want to learn. A start goes a long way when it is more of a small action than a resolution.
