Learning new things is good for your brain health!

Over the last few weeks, I've been learning how to make my first patchwork quilt. I've used material that I've had for years, always promising myself that I will learn to sew and make something lovely with it all! From the basics of how to cut a square to making disappearing nine squares, I'm slowly building my confidence in the skills that are part of this new quilting hobby. This weekend, I have spend hours learning how to add borders to the quilt top. Six hours getting totally lost in the joy of learning something new...and coming up with a finished quilt top! Given that a few months ago I couldn't thread a needle let alone thread a bobbin, I feel really chuffed with my newfound skills!

According to this article, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/20hzn5LR2xLPhjVqXyD2Q2C/learn-something-new-to-boost-your-brain#:~:text=If%20you're%20challenging%20your,tasks%20and%20potentially%20smarter%2C%20too!by by the much loved and much missed, Michael Mosely, learning something new can 'reduce stress, create new brain connections, release dopamine, make you happier and potentially smarter, too!'

Well, I don't know about smarter, but all this learning has definitely made me feel pretty happy, so I'll take that!

It's good to be a beginner at something. I think that the best thing about learning new stuff is that it gives you the chance to see yourself in new ways, as being capable of doing things you hadn't previously considered as something you could do, or that would be 'your thing!' It's exciting to feel surprised by yourself! Thank you to Chris, who comes to our Chair Yoga, Cuppa and Chat, for introducing me to this quilting world! Without you, Chris, disappearing nine squares would forever have been a mystery!