I love art and craft and I love fabric. I always wanted to learn how to sew. My mother was a great sewer. Maybe that’s why I didn’t even dare to try it. I believed deep inside that I’ll never be good enough (it’s all in your mind again!!!). Well, in the past two months, I decided to give it a try. I joined a quilting guild and beyond the guild, I enrolled in a quilting workshop for beginners. I just love it. It’s wonderful to learn a new skill, engage in active group activities and even go home with loads of homework to finish.
Learning is essential for our brain function and mental wellbeing. For years, scientists thought that it was impossible for brain neurons (nerve cells) to regenerate. Now, we know this is not true. Our brains have a tremendous power for regeneration and plasticity. With every new piece of information you learn and every new skill you acquire, more of your brain neurons are firing together and thus wiring together creating millions of new branches and connections like the World Wide Web. The more connections you have, the better memory and cognitive function you acquire and the more protection you give to your brain against old age memory loss and dementia. Brain plasticity is not restricted to young age; you can generate new connections, empower your thinking ability, and boost your memory functions at any time of your life.
Scientists are convinced that the learning experience is more memorable and productive if it is enjoyable and involve powerful emotions. That’s why choosing the skill, the hobby or the knowledge you want to acquire is very important. My love for fabric, art and craft besides adding spices and enjoyment to my learning experience, it added a boost to my mental power. The new quilting skill I learnt, despite being easy, still involves considerable amount of mental concentration for calculation and precision. It also helps improve dexterity with lots of needle work and machine sewing. And, when all calculations and made, fabric prepared and strips cut, I can relax my mind while piecing the quilt with my two young children, an invaluable relaxation time with my kids, that decluters my mind and even sometimes serve as an enjoyable meditation experience.
Another great value of having a new hobby is enjoying a healthy social environment. I was lucky to join a very friendly and helpful quilting community. I’m always waiting for our meeting to exchange ideas, gain support and socialize in a friendly environment. I love surfing the old souks hunting for the right fabric (women favorite hobby). I just love my new hobby!!!
Now, it’s your turn. What’s your hobby? What new skill did you always dream of learning? What’s old experience did you neglect because of your busy life and stresses?
Find your hobby. Learn a new skill. A skill that helps you connect, relax, learn, and engage; that uplifts your spirit along with boosting your mind powers.
Wish you the best!
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