We often remember our firsts. First love, first pet, first home when you left home, first car. Remembering, often bringing a smile. What if we could continue creating and treasuring firsts as we age? How would that impact how we thought about aging, did our aging?

In this episode we take a path off the road of curiosity and explore the Beginner’s Mindset. Exploring new with little (if any) expectation of what will unfold but with and open heart and mind willing to try and to learn. Taking a passage from the good book of Brene Brown (Atlas of the Heart) to guide us.

Watching a toddler learn to walk. Falling down, getting back up again. Falling down, getting back up again, and again, and again. Do we think of them as failing when they fall? Not at all. It’s a part of the process of learning a new skill, our brains and body adapting until we ‘get it’. What a joyous feeling that is. The encouraging words and cheers of those nearby - “yay! Look at you! You can do it!”

We might not have the cheer squad close by as we try but there is something joyous about being a Beginner again. Learning new things.

What does it mean to have a Beginner’s Mindset? How is that different to being curious?

It’s not always easy. There are road blocks that hold us back. The reasons not to. The emotions that pull us down. Embarrassment all the way through to feeling very vulnerable. It’s humbling too. We talk about those emotions and what holds us back from exploring with a Beginner’s Mindset - in the context of Anita learning to play the drums and Erica her roller skating.

We also talk about the gifts of a Beginner’s Mindset - the joy of having fun, the pride of accomplishing, of doing something that we didn’t think we could - that we had wanted to do, for years. Being present. Fully present in the moments of doing, of thinking.

For our brain health. Our brains are plastic. Able to open up new pathways ignited by the challenges of the new. Fuel the creation of those new pathways with a Beginner’s Mindset.

And what that unleashes within us - wanting more. Exploring. Growing. Becoming. Living not existing. A longer, healthier life.

Have you learned a new skill in midlife? Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but as yet haven’t taken the leap. Maybe it’s about putting your ego in your pocket and having a go.

Maybe there’s a brilliant drummer or roller skater deep inside, wanting to get out and show you how great you are.

To your magnificent midlife - Beginner’s Mindset and all.

Anita & Erica.

p.s. Curiosity is a high value of ours. We talk about it often. If you’d like to explore Curiosity with us, here is a link to a previous episode we’ve done on Curiosity. Enjoy.

And if you’ve enjoyed this episode of Midlife Unfiltered, we invite you to share it with others who you think might enjoy it too. To encourage a Beginner’s Mindset and living a magnificent midlife.

I may be older, but in many ways I feel young again. Taking pauses in my day to soak in the wonder of the trees around me. The birds that scoot through them at break neck speed, the light playing on leaves.

Thank you to everyone who tuned into our live video! Join us for our next live video in the app.