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[–] 56 points 8 months ago (21 children)

Learning to play an instrument.

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  • [–] 30 points 8 months ago (13 children)

    It's never too late

    It does require some time investment but it's so rewarding.

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  • [–] 10 points 8 months ago (3 children)

    Honestly the time investment to be able to play a few songs is actually really quick on most instruments. Like on guitar you can go from having never held one to being able to play cool rock songs in under 30 minutes. Even a newborn infant just out of the womb can play a recognizable rendition of Smoke On The Water

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  • [–] 8 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    I mostly agree with you, but I think it takes a little time to be able to play in something resembling the right rhythm. New players often struggle with changing chords (even 2 note power chords) quickly enough to play something that sounds musical.

    But yeah, people would be surprised with how quickly you can learn to be a basic-but-functional guitarist.

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  • [–] 9 points 8 months ago

    I picked up the guitar during Covid, in my 60s. Over 5 years later, and I'm at about an intermediate level, and very happy with my progress.

    Thanks to You Tube, learning an instrument has never been easier, especially the guitar. The best guitar teachers in the world are all over YouTube, with plenty of free content. I'm sure it's the same with any instrument.

    If you want to, do it.

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  • [–] 5 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    Reading some of these replies, it seems people are only focusing on half of the process of learning an instrument.

    Its not just the instrument you need to learn, it's how to read sheet music as well. Most likely, you're not going to find the exact coords to play with the delay in between written as seconds for the song you want. Its going to be in the format of sheet music, with the notes and other symbols.

    That takes time to learn, like learning a new language. It's something you need to learn either before or while learning an instrument, and that is something that can put a lot of people off.

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  • [–] 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

    I've been playing piano for 9 years now, still can barely read sheet music. I'm not saying it's easier that way, matter of fact, i wish i could read it better.

    But if sheet music is all that is keeping you from becoming a musician, fuck that and get playing

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  • [–] 44 points 8 months ago (11 children)

    Working out 🏋️‍♀️

    I find it excruciatingly boring

    Id literally rather piss my own pants

    Luckily i can do neither as well

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  • [–] 17 points 8 months ago* (5 children)

    I don't particularly love brushing my teeth twice a day,but its something you've gotta do. I do very much dislike not brushing my teeth. It's not worth being lazy about it. I also hate feeling unfit and stiff and weak.

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  • [–] 18 points 8 months ago (4 children)

    Brushing your teeth takes 2 minutes. They tell you to spend a whole 30 minutes a day working out. 30 minutes of boredom, discomfort, pain and agony.

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  • [–] 5 points 8 months ago (2 children)

    30 minutes a day for a lifetime of feeling healthy and unlocking the opportunity to live a longer life... Also endorphins are a thing.

    This is a perspective that I'm likely too exercise-pilled to understand.

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  • [–] 9 points 8 months ago

    Don't worry I got your back. I haaaaaate working out. Every second of it. It's miserable, boring, tiring, and gross and sweaty.

    However, since I started doing it I hate to admit that I am more energetic in everything else, I move easier, I'm not winded going up stairs, I'm happier, all the tripe they tell you is true.

    It's not 30 minutes because you have to enjoy it, it's 30 minutes that improve the other 23.5 hours a day

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  • [–] 6 points 8 months ago

    I think the key to exercise is finding a recreational activity that is physically active rather than trying to make yourself go to the gym. Barring that, tying gym time with something enjoyable like listening to audio books helps make it at least a little rewarding.

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  • [–] 37 points 8 months ago

    I never got into rock n roll the way I got into sex and drugs.

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  • [–] 21 points 8 months ago (4 children)

    Rallycross. The day may come, but right now I have several higher priorities and more important places to put my money.

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  • [–] 7 points 8 months ago (3 children)

    With Dirt Rally, you get a pretty damn good simulation experience for a fraction of the cost, a minimal time investment, and zero of the risks. All you need is a PC and a decent steeringwheel.

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  • [–] 17 points 8 months ago (4 children)
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    [–] 16 points 8 months ago (4 children)

    Dancing. I am very envious at the ease certain people demonstate when dancing. The complete control of their body, the syncing with the music, the beauty of the mouvements. I am not talking classical dancing or elaborate choreography, only knowing how to dance really well at parties.

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  • [–] 8 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    I started dancing 2 years ago in my early 30s. Salsa/bachata specifically. Never danced a step before then (or at least: not while sober). After a 2 years of practise, I now regularly get compliments at the festivals/parties, and the ladies at the dance school like it when I'm joining the lessons, since I can lead well. I'm still no expert, but I certainly get a lot of joy from it. And for the record: I'm a slightly overweight nerd who is certainly not nimble or agile. I also hate rythm games, I suck at those, but dancing on the beat is so much easier!

    My point is: it's worth trying. Find a dance school that teaches salsa and/or bachata, and go for it. If you find the right people, you will stay motivated, and it gets more and more fun!

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  • [–] 14 points 8 months ago (2 children)

    Skateboarding. Wingsuit flying. BASE jumping.

    All seem like SO much fun. But, Im entering middle age with two kids. Broken bones are not fun. Nor are risks not covered by my insurance, apparently. That's what my partner tells me anyway. She gets final say on fun.

    Or, the insurance company does. Whichever. They're on the same side: against injury. And fun.

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    [–] [S] 12 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    For me it was: Goth and the kink scene (not necessarily both together). Also I wanted to collect collectibles, but clutter and choctky drive me crazy.

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  • [–] 11 points 8 months ago (1 child)
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    [–] 11 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    Upcycling. There's just so much stuff we throw away and I currently have no creative hobbies where I am producing something... I might start this year.

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    [+] 11 points 8 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)
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    [–] 9 points 8 months ago (9 children)

    Skateboarding. I was into punk in middle/high-school, some of my friends were skateboarders, but I never bought a board. I'm pushing 40 now and it's way too late to start, even as a midlife crisis.

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  • [–] 5 points 8 months ago (5 children)

    I'm pushing 40 now and it's way too late to start, even as a midlife crisis.

    What? "Pushing 40" is very literally PRIME mid-life crisis timing. Go buy a fuckin' board, just take it easy on your joints.

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  • [–] 4 points 8 months ago (4 children)

    Oh, no, I agree that I'm primed for a midlife crisis, but it's way too late to start skateboarding. I'm in pretty good shape, eat fairly healthy, exercise regularly, etc., but I can't shake off an a injury like I did in my teens or twenties. I'm not risking permanently messing up my knees learning how to ollie.

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  • [–] 4 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    That has been one of the most eye opening things for me in my mid forty’s now. Small injuries I used to shake off same day/over night take weeks/months to fully heal up anymore. I’m significantly more careful and purposeful when using ladders or even just regular chores around the house to keep from straining a joint or ligament. I tweaked my MCL stepping on the edge of my stairs wrong shortly after having to use a cane for a couple months due to a hip injury. That was like two months ago and the ligament is mostly feeling fine now and I can do strength exercises with that leg again but holy shit, this whole thing from when I originally overworked/inflamed my hip cutting down/removing a tree would have never even impacted me five+ years ago and it’s like five months to recover. So yeah, I’m more careful and make sure I take breaks now. It’s just not worth it, slow, careful, and purposeful for me going forward.

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    [–] 9 points 8 months ago

    In hindsight I wish I would have learned some charisma and became a cult leader.

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  • [–] 8 points 8 months ago (4 children)

    I'm single and childless, so I've been fortunate to do everything I've ever wanted to do.

    The one thing that comes to mind is meditation. I can't really get my thoughts or brain to shut off.

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    [–] 7 points 8 months ago (3 children)

    Cooking, in a serious way. I started waiting tables, then salad/prep and mid house, but I never went any further. I was a professional musician about 40 years and full time sysadmin for 21 years, but cooking was a missed opportunity I didn't take. I was just thinking about this yesterday.

    An actual regret. I would never have had enough hours leftover for the dedication required.

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    [–] 6 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

    Tile mosaics would be really fun (I never even made a stepping stone in grade school), but it's way too messy between mixing up cement and pouring it out into molds of some type in order to stick the tiles into, let alone smashing up a bunch of big tiles into shards to use for such a project, to be feasible atm, ditto for anything dealing with plaster.

    Paper mache, a medium I haven't messed with since middle school, would also be really fun to pick up again some day, but just like plaster and tile mosaics/stepping stones, it's also too messy to be feasible right now; not only will you have paste dripping everywhere due to the nature of paper mache as a medium, but you're also going to at least be up to your wrists in it, possibly up to your elbows depending on how big you're going or even having it drip all over you if you're making something big enough for people to play in, eg. like a big dome for people to draw on both inside and out, but you're also basically playing in slime all day with that project which is why it's as fun as it is.

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  • [–] 6 points 8 months ago (2 children)

    There are things I really wanted to do but couldn't due to a crippling fear of heights. Rock climbing, parachuting, high diving all look so fun. But I find myself crawling back, shivering in fear, trying my best to control the panic attack.

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    [–] 5 points 8 months ago

    Reading books. I used to be so into it as a kid, but once I got to my teen years I just couldn't anymore. Every few years I try again and manage to read a few books, but then just stop and never go back. Just last year I tried again, read 10 books, and then just stopped.

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  • [–] 5 points 8 months ago

    Woodworking. Maybe some day.

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  • [–] 5 points 8 months ago (3 children)

    I wanted to be a comic book artist. I can draw, I don't do it as often as I should, and I'm not bad at it. I wanted to make comic books, get them published at an independent level, and maybe someone would read them. I could just never finish anything I started. I'd have all these great ideas for a story but I would just end up word vomiting them on a page and didn't know how to expand on it or draw it out. Same thing when I'd try to write a story/novel. How could I create something with several chapters when I just spew everything out within a few pages. So I gave up.

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    [–] 5 points 8 months ago (1 child)
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    [–] 5 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    Proper/healthy cooking. Sports.

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