10 Ideas for Things to Learn Before the New Year

The holidays are upon us, and although it means our lives become more hectic with upcoming gatherings, it also means we may have a little more time off from work or other scheduled activities.It also means we can take a breather and think about ourselves.What better way to feel energized rather than overwhelmed than to pick up a new skill?Whether you want to enhance your physical health, upgrade your tech smarts, or expand your creative side, these doable skills are small steps that can make a big impact perfect for wrapping up the year on a positive note.DisclosureNote: Some product links in this article are Amazon Associate links.

Healthy Aging may earn a small Amazon commission if you make a purchaseat no cost to you.Thank you for supporting our work.Here are 10 motivating, easy-to-start skills to learn before the year ends:1.Learn a New Cooking TechniqueFrom mastering sheet-pan dinners to learning knife skills or trying global flavors, improving your kitchen confidence is both fun and practical.

Bonus: cooking at home supports healthier aging and better nutrition.Pull out that air fryer you bought and try more recipes like Spinach and Feta Phyllo Cups and Salsa Chicken from Robin Fields I Love My Air Fryer Easy Recipes Book.Or follow along with famed French chef Jacques Ppin and learn how to bone an entire chicken for a delicious (and impressive) boned and stuffed chicken.More Ideas:Try a new method like poaching: How to Poach ChickenGive sous vide a try.Learn bread basicsno-knead, artisan loaves, or sour doughExplore spices by learning how to toast and bloom them to extract the essential flavor compounds in the spice: How to Bloom Spices2.Try a Short Online Fitness ClassYou dont need a full lifestyle overhaulcommit to learning one new fitness skill: Pilates basics, resistance band training, stretching, or balance exercises.These low-impact options fit easily into any schedule and support mobility and strength.IdeasTry a 10-minute joint mobility or balance sessionFollow a stretching guide to reduce stiffness3.

Learn a Better Way to Manage and Share Digital PhotosIf your phone is overflowing with images, youre not alone.Learning simple digital photo organizationalbums, cloud storage, and backup habitscan bring surprising peace of mind.IdeasCreate themed albums using Google Photos:How to Organize Photos in Google Photos: Complete GuideOrganize your images with Apple Photos:Organize and find your photos on your Mac Apple Support4.Explore a New Language (Even 10 Minutes a Day!)You dont need fluency to enjoy the benefits.

A few minutes a day on Spanish, Italian, or French improves brain health and makes future travel even more enjoyable.IdeasLearn with a language app such as Duolingo: Duolingo The worlds most popular way to learnRead the book: Fluent Forever (Revised Edition): How to Learn Any Language Fast and Never Forget It5.Learn a Relaxation TechniqueDeep breathing, guided imagery, or progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce holiday stress.These are simple practices you can master in a week and use anytime, anywhere.IdeasTry a 4-7-8 breathing routine before bed 4-7-8 Breathing Method For Sleep and RelaxationStart a simple meditation with free UCLA audio tracks:Guided Meditations UCLA Mindful | UCLA HealthPractice box breathing or progressive muscle relaxation:Benefits of Progressive Muscle Relaxation6.

Take a Beginners AI or Tech ClassWhether its learning how to use ChatGPT, improving cybersecurity habits, or understanding your smartphones hidden features, a small tech upgrade can save time, reduce frustration, and expand your digital confidence.IdeasLearn ChatGPT basicsLearn to recognize phishing scams7.Learn a Creative Skill: Drawing, Painting, or PhotographyCreativity boosts mental wellness and cognitive resilience.Try a free tutorial or a short online workshopno experience needed.IdeasGrab an adult Learn to Draw BookLearn watercolor basics: Learn to Watercolor: 20 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Lessons on Watercolor Paper Includes Watercolor Pad with Sketches No Drawing Required! (Watercolor This Book)Explore beginner photography tips viaNational Geographic Photo Basics: The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Great Photography8.

Sharpen Your Financial SkillsLearn how to set up digital budgeting tools, track subscriptions, or organize key documents.A few hours invested now can create smoother financial habits for the new year.IdeasTrack your spending with easy tool Track your spending with this easy tool | Consumer Financial Protection BureauTrack and cancel unused subscriptionsImprove your Medicare know-how9.Learn a Mindful Walking RoutineWalking becomes even more powerful when you integrate mindful techniquespaying attention to breath, posture, and your environment.

Its an easy way to elevate your daily exercise.IdeasLearn the importance of walking from Walking for Health Harvard HealthUse Headspace walking meditationGet walking tips from Mayo Clinic: Walking: Trim your waistline, improve your health Mayo Clinic10.Start a Journaling HabitEven a 5-minute daily journal boosts clarity and emotional wellbeing.Try prompts like: What energizes me? or Whats one thing Im proud of today?Ideas:Explore journaling promptsTry a one-sentence-a-day journaling methodUse a digital journaling appHow to Make Your New Skill StickStart tiny5 to 10 minutes a dayTrack your progress in a planner or appCelebrate weekly winsPair the skill with something enjoyable (coffee, music, morning sunshine)Starting a new skill now isnt about big resolutionsits about momentum.

Choose one skill or try a few.Every bit of learning adds joy, energy, and confidence as you head into the new year.And, most importantly, have fun and pat yourself on the back for trying something new!