5 new creative skills to learn this year

The old saying “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks” no longer has a place in our modern society. You only have to go online to learn anything (or at least the basics of anything). More importantly, people’s perspectives on themselves have changed too. They are now bolder, more open to doing new things, and to live life to the fullest.

Hui Mann, 66, is one of the featured individuals in FWD Life Insurance’s Press play campaign, which features inspiring people celebrating life on their own terms, no matter how old they are or at what point in their lives.

Hui Mann started playing the drums only six years ago, when she was 60. “I have dreamed of playing the drums since I was young. And now I get to do it. I feel very young at heart,” she says. In the Press play video, you can see sheer happiness on her face as she rhythmically beats on the drums. This lady cuts an awesome sight doing what she loves!

Here’s a challenge for everyone in this new year: what new creative skills can you learn and press play on? Here are 5 suggestions.

1. Drawing, illustrating

The first stumbling block to learning a new skill is thinking you can’t do it. Or thinking that some people are just born with this skill and you’re not one of them. This is very common when you ask people if they can draw. Experts say it’s not an inherent skill that’s impossible for you to learn. Check out the many drawing tutorials on YouTube—who knows, you might be a natural after all, and even if you aren’t, remember that everything just takes practice, like playing the piano or knitting.

2. Photography, filmmaking

These days, you don’t even need to buy extra equipment other than your smartphone. Short films are the best way to get into the world of filmmaking. Great filmmakers aren’t just born one day—they had to start somewhere and they often did with short films, like Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, and Martin Scorsese. Photography is no different. Take your camera out and record people, cities, the world around you. Download apps to improve your photos. You can even be your own production crew with all the available resources out there. You can turn this new skill into a side hustle by offering small business your services to improve their websites or social media accounts.

3. Video and audio editing

Technology has made us all storytellers. We tell the story of our lives through social media stories and reels. Learning video editing (and not just stitching clips together) will help you tell a cohesive story. You learn to pay attention to detail, you get familiar with video-editing apps, and skills such as communication and organization. If you already have a business, this could help greatly in promoting it.

4. Creative writing

The pinnacle for many writers—whether they’re journalists or in corporate communications—is to eventually write a book. There are online writing courses—both free and paid— to help you hone your skills and give a bit of inspiration or just even a pep talk to get you started. Here’s a free writing exercise; also check out this free online writing course to see if you’re ready to focus on creative writing.

5. Music

Whether it’s learning to sing, to play a musical instrument or to DJ, music is both pleasurable and beneficial to our wellbeing. Listening to music can reduce stress and stimulate memories; being the source of music brings an added source of satisfaction. According to studies, regularly playing an instrument changes the shape and power of the brain and may be used in therapy to improve cognitive skills. It’s no surprise that the part of the brain that controls motor skills, hearing, and memory becomes more active when you play a musical instrument.

Open yourself up to creative things this year. Instead of making a list of things that you want to quit as your New Year’s resolutions, make a list of what you will do. Watch FWD’s Press play for inspiration!