Listen, Learn, Lean

The Power of Lifelong Learning and Staying Curious

Photo by Gary Butterfield on Unsplash

Everybody's been there
Everybody's been stared down by the enemy
Fallen for the fear
And done some disappearing
Bow down to the mighty
Don't run, stop holding your tongue
Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days, you can let the light in
And show me, how big your brave is -Brave, Sara Bareilles

Hello Everybody! This is my 52nd Substack post. One year of writing a weekly article exploring what it means for me as I transition from "middle age" to the next chapter. I have learned so much about myself. I am much more comfortable with the thought of being "old." I value all of your feedback, suggestions, comments, and support so very much. Thank you. Today, I want to explore the importance of continuous learning. I find the concept of "listening" to people's opinions the best way for me to stay engaged. I love talking with those who have different points of view. It helps me understand what is going on, and even if I ultimately disagree with them, the ability to "hear" them promotes my ability to comprehend their point of view. I may even "lean" a little bit to their way of thinking. (Hey, it could happen!) For instance, I had a conversation with a friend last week about a book we had both read, and she had a completely different interpretation than mine. Initially, I was taken aback, but as we continued talking, I found myself appreciating her perspective and even incorporating some of her ideas into my own understanding of the book. Does this happen to you?

As we get older, it's easy to fall into a routine. Maybe things slow down a bit, and we start to feel like we've "been there, done that." The world changes around us, and it can sometimes feel like it's passing us by. But here's the thing: just because we're getting older doesn't mean we should stop learning, growing, or staying curious. In fact, it's the opposite. There's so much more to experience, and it's never too late to dive into something new.

So why is it so important to keep growing, staying curious, and pushing ourselves, no matter how old we are? Here is what I think and have learned:

1. The Brain Needs a Workout Too

Just like the rest of our body, our brains need exercise to stay strong. When we keep learning—whether it's a new hobby, a new skill, or just reading up on something we're curious about—we keep our minds sharp. It's not just about remembering things. It's about keeping our brains flexible and ready to tackle new challenges.

Think about a time when you learned something new. Maybe it was picking up a new craft or figuring out a new app on your phone. At first, it felt a bit awkward, right? But as you kept going, things started clicking. That's because our brains are wired to grow and adapt, no matter how old we are.

2. Curiosity Keeps Us Connected to the World

Curiosity isn't something we should leave behind as we age. In fact, it's one of the best ways to keep us engaged with the world around us. It's all too easy to start reminiscing about the "good old days" and not pay as much attention to the world we're living in right now. But curiosity is the key to keeping our minds open and active.

When we stay curious, we open ourselves up to new ideas, new people, and new experiences. And here's the cool part: the more we expose ourselves to something new, the more we start to enjoy it. This is called the mere exposure effect. It means that when you're repeatedly exposed to something—whether it's a new book, a new activity, or even a new style of music—you start to like it more and more over time.

Hiking with my boys. They love the snow. Thank you, Lily, for taking the photo!

3. Staying Active Is Good for Your Body and Your Mind

Let's be honest—when we're feeling good physically, everything else feels better, too, doesn’t it? Exercise doesn't just keep our bodies in shape; it has a massive impact on our mental health, too. Regular activity helps lift our mood, reduce stress, and even boost our memory. Plus, staying active gives us the energy to take on all those things we want to learn and explore.¹

I've found that just going for a long walk with my dogs and a friend every morning clears my head. When I'm out moving, I feel more energized and ready to tackle new things; it reduces stress and makes me happy. I walk or hike with one friend for five days most weeks and another two days. We solve the problems of the world, catch up, and get some exercise. It's simple, but it works. (You two know who you are!!)

4. Growth Keeps Us Feeling Purposeful

I think one of the biggest fears as we get older is losing our sense of purpose, of feeling relevant. But the truth is, purpose doesn't have an expiration date. It's not something you "find" once and then just coast along. It's an ongoing journey. When we stop growing, we start to feel stagnant. But when we challenge ourselves—whether by learning something new, volunteering, or even just helping someone out—we give our lives that sense of meaning.

Last year, I started volunteering every Monday at our new free spay & neuter clinic. I am on the recovery team, which means I care for the animals as they come out of surgery. I have learned how to monitor their vitals, take temperatures, administer Subcutaneous fluids ( Sub-Qs), clip dog nails, clean ears, etc. I am with them until they wake up. I was intimidated when I first started, as it was a lot of responsibility. (“Wait, you want me to stick a needle into an animal?”) Now, I am confident in my abilities (of course, having a Vet and Vet techs there in an emergency alleviates some concern), and knowing I am helping make a difference in the overpopulation of unwanted dogs and cats in my community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have learned so much. It's a reminder that no matter where we are in life, we can still make a difference and keep learning new things.

Photo by Kaylee Garrett on Unsplash

5. Staying Social Is Key to Preventing Isolation

It's easy to start isolating ourselves as we get older, especially if we're not actively learning or engaging with new people. But staying social is crucial. Whether it's joining a class, attending a meetup, or simply calling up an old friend, connecting with others keeps us emotionally healthy and grounded. (Remember the daily walks I discussed earlier? The social connection of seeing a friend almost every day is invaluable to me.)

What are you doing to stay socially connected? Please share your ideas and success stories with us.

6. Aging Isn't Decline; It's Evolution

It's easy to think that aging means losing the spark we once had, but I believe aging is about evolution. We don't lose our ability to grow or change—we just get more experienced. We have a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that we didn't have when we were younger. And that's something to celebrate and share with others.

I always thought that learning to do something new had an age limit. But then I decided to try writing this Substack, something I have wanted to do for a while but thought I "wasn't a good enough writer" to create something and share it with the world. Turns out, I really enjoy it—and it's something I look forward to. From a grammatical or English major's perspective, it doesn't matter how perfect it is. It's "real”, it's honest, it's me! And that is all that matters (Thank you, Allegra.) It's never too late to discover a new passion.

Final Thoughts: Keep Growing, Keep Thriving

No matter how old we are, there's always room to grow and learn. For me, it’s not about being perfect or keeping up with the world around me. It's about staying engaged with life, staying curious, and keeping the door open to new experiences and opportunities.

So, let's keep moving, keep discovering, and keep challenging ourselves. Life doesn't stop, and neither should we.

Let's keep growing—together. Are you with me?

Have a great week.

Much love!

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1. vennhaven, Author at Vennhaven. https://vennhaven.com/author/vennhaven/