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No matter what age we are, there’s always something new to learn. An instrument, a sport, an art form, or anything that lost its calling in the madness called life. I know of aunties who learned to drive at the age of 55 or appeared for Std X exams alongside their grandchildren. My Dad, although technically challenged, now gets his daily dose of news through e-papers on his phone and uses social media without any help. It’s all about keeping an open mind and accepting that learning is a lifelong process. We’re never too old to learn when there’s a whole new world waiting to be explored!
I’ve often confessed that I’m somewhat of a late bloomer and have either achieved or scaled commonly scalable stuff much later in life than others. Unlike many my age, I got my four-wheeler driving license at 42 and am now striking off everything I missed out doing in my teenage or 20s. My friends often pull my leg saying that I’m reverse-aging but the fact is that I’m fulfilling the dreams and wishes of the lonely and plump 15yo Varsh who lived with a massive inferiority complex.
Children learn cycling in their toddler years, often with minimal teaching and effort. My brother and even my kids were skilled at it without any supervision or stress while my husband rode his cycle around town for classes and tutions everyday. Would you find it strange then that despite the best efforts of my family and friends I could never in my life ride a bicycle beyond a few feet without crashing? Forget riding, I found it a task to even sit on it properly.
It did not help matters that my persistent falls bruised my ego more than my elbows and knees. Children can be unknowingly cruel to their peers and becoming a laughing stock for my friends was like a punch in the gut I didn’t deserve. Somewhere down the line the wish to learn got overshadowed by the vehemence to shut their mouths. “The seat is uncomfortable.” “The cycle is too high for my height.” or “The road is slippery.” were just some of the ridiculous excuses I came up with to skip trying.
Cycling is great exercise and to my credit I attacked the stationery bike in the gym with a vengeance! What use is a cycle though if it doesn’t get you anywhere? Just like treadmill running, stationery biking is an activity that gives no joy. All the fun is lost while concentrating on numbers and the experience is marred by an incomplete feeling of achievement. Is it finally time to learn cycling? I asked myself and something inside me agreed.
Luckily, during our recent vacation at a resort we found several bikes kept for our use. Nervous but determined I found a bright pink one(!) that silently called out to me. As I gently ran my hands over it I felt it trying to ease my fears with quiet reassurance. My kids watched me from a distance and came running. “Mamma you learned to ride a Scooty without knowing cycling, no? Now just do the opposite. You’ll be fine. Just keep your balance.” Their encouragement worked wonders for my confidence and off I went while they cheered me on.
True to form, my spirited adventure motivated many other ladies to follow suit. Some might’ve enjoyed making reels and videos more than the cycling itself but for me it was a long-pending desire brought to fruition. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. Guess I should buy one now and hit the road? What say?
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.
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Learning new thing always makes me nervous and excited at the same time! I guess it’s common to all who start or think to start learning new things in their elder age. But when you get a hint of success, the joy it gives is uncomparable!
Absolutely. I am at 60 learning to swim determined that I should reach end to end of the pool! With crocheting occupying a major portion of my time..want to try embroidery
That’s inspiring!
Agree!
I’ve never driven or ridden, but after reading about learning at any age, I’m setting my sights on learning how to drive a car in 2026 at the age of 42. I can already imagine the excitement of clutch, gears, and that first solo drive… Here’s to making next year the one where I finally tick that goal off the bucket list!
Hope you tick off that goal. Driving is so much fun!
I think learning is like change, it is permanent. At every stage of life we crave to learn something.
True!
I can’t ride a scooty. You gave me the inspiration to learn it, not because I need to buy because I just should.
Helps to be able to get around. You never know when it’ll be needed.
Such a positive and hopeful post, V. Love the pic too. As someone who does not ride or drive, your words have tempted me to try both !
Do try, although you’re a wiz in anything you do anyway!
Well, it takes a lot of courage to finally pursue the things that we missed. Kudos to you for doing that. I tried learning scooty but I am too scared. I am not pro at cycling as well. You mentioned that you learnt scooty without knowing cycling, I think I still may have a chance. Your post is an inspiration to all who are yet to fullfill their dreams and passions.
Both are the same, really. It’s just balance that needs to be taken care of.
Yeah, I will soon try my hands on it. Thanks!
I am totally with you on this. I got my license at the age of 35. And I also want to get back to cycling. I face the same issues–am also scared of the traffic. But I really need more physical movement and flexibility. Fingers crossed that I get into it soon.
Fingers crossed indeed! 🤞🏻
Reading this felt like a breath of encouragement ; I too have been hesitant to dive into some of the online courses that I have wished to do, but your journey made it feel totally doable. Love how you described the blend of excitement and nerves. Definitely inspired to start my own learning adventure!
I’m glad to know that!
Varsha I want to explore this experience of never to old and want to give a kick to my scooty… But husband dete hi nahi kharid ka… kahta ha haddi tut jayega abhi to jorna ma dikkat hogi… Batao ji ya koi bat hui. Sikhu gi to ma zarror. Much love to you dear
Haha, haddi nahi tootegi agar koi saath mein sahi instructions de. Go ahead and try. All the best!
It’s so inspiring to see you’re embracing lifelong learning—proving it’s never too late to grow or discover something new. I’ve been meaning and wanting to get to learning how to drive for a while and your post has just given me that “Do it now” nudge
Yes! “DO IT NOW!” my girl. 🤗
Loved how you finally gave cycling a shot, totally cheering for you! It’s proof that there’s no age limit to learning something new. And yes, go get that bike already!
Yes!
Going through this, I realised I have to start my driving lessons. yes I agree we are never too old to learn.
This really hit home… It’s never too late to learn or try something new, no matter what others say. Loving how you’re embracing your journey and silencing those old doubts. Inspiring to see that age or past struggles don’t define what we can still achieve.
True 🙂
Heartfelt and inspiring, this piece beautifully celebrates late blooming and lifelong learning. Your vulnerability and humor make it deeply relatable—proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your own story.
Thank you!
Learning something new is always exciting. I’m also learning something which I’ve been postponing it been really exciting
Hmmm…this is inspiring, you know why? because I’m the only one in my family who doesn’t know cycling. 🙂
Well, you can try if you want to.
Absolutely! But to play devil’s advocate here – if you could ride a Scooty, you could definitely ride a cycle – you just didn’t know it!
Exactly. Never thought I knew it already. Was just afraid to try.