Spring! Time to learn something new

I grab my stack of ideas—things I'd love to learn someday. A truly endless document, easily enough to fill a few lifetimes. From filleting fish and baking intricate pastries to kickboxing and paragliding.

But this time, it has to be something challenging. I scroll through my long, long list and stop at an idea I once added in a reckless moment. Hardcore statistics.

This is something I'm almost certain I'll regret. No people, just numbers. Probability calculations, standard deviations, regression analyses? My brain protests immediately. This will be boring. This will be painfully difficult. This will be… exactly what I'm looking for.

Because learning something new without performance pressure is a gift to yourself. Your brain thrives on growth. Every time you try something unfamiliar, new connections form. Neurons that have never worked together before start communicating. As if you're turning on the light in a room you've never been in. This process—neuroplasticity—keeps your brain flexible and sharp and can even slow cognitive decline.

And mentally? It changes the way you see yourself. It reminds you that you're not stuck in a fixed version of yourself, but someone who can grow. That you're allowed to stumble and experiment. That learning isn't just functional, but also simply fun.

Will I enjoy statistics all the time? Doubtful. But I will enjoy discovering this new room.

It's spring. Time to grow. What will you learn?