Try new things, whatever your age

Updated: 28 Jan 2025

As you get older, you tend to become more certain about the things you enjoy doing. This knowledge can be a comfort, but there are many surprising benefits to pushing yourself outside of this zone of familiarity from time-to-time.

Creative thinking, confidence building

When you learn something new, it stimulates your brain to think in different ways. There’s real power in this, as creative thinking can spill over to other areas of your life and reframe the way you approach other tasks, issues or interests.

Opening yourself up to new experiences is also a great confidence builder, as your knowledge, competencies and connections grow.

Another considerable gain is that giving new activities a go, especially in situations when you’re mixing with people of different ages and backgrounds, can help you to think about things from a different perspective, as well as increase your empathy and understanding of the world.

But one of the biggest rewards to exploring new interests is that it’s a great route to forming new friendships.

A route to new friendships

There’s huge benefit in sharing a hobby with a friend. Or, even finding a friend through a hobby. This is something chartered psychologist and later life coach, Dr Denise Taylor, is keen to promote.

Dr Taylor (pictured) explained: “You don’t have to be from the same social background, religion or education to be friends with someone. In fact, there’s a lot to be said about having friends from a variety of backgrounds.

“As we get older our lifestyles and values can shift, as well as what we need to feel socially fulfilled.

“New friendships can reinvigorate you. They also present new opportunities and perspectives that can be uplifting and motivational.

“Whether you haven’t had time to make new friends, or you don’t know where to start, you won’t regret putting some effort into finding new friends.

“Shared activities are more fun with a friend, but also a fantastic gateway to making deeper friendships, quicker, because you already have a strong, shared interest,” she added.

Providing inspiration

Heart of the West Oddfellows' events regularly brings around 25 mostly retired local members together to enjoy a wide variety of local events and activities in the Newton Abbot and Torbay area.

“Yes, we have our regular coffee mornings, which are always very popular, but we also like to arrange things that people might not have done before, or wouldn’t think of trying ordinarily,” said Tara Carlisle, Social Organiser at Heart of the West Oddfellows.

“We believe that it’s never too late to try something new,” she added, “but we know people sometimes need some inspiration or someone to do it alongside. This is where we come in. We’ve a ready-made set of friends right here, who are all eager to keep life interesting by having a go at new and interesting activities. And we organise and host it all, too.

“Whether you like getting crafty, hope to discover a new lunch spot or want to listen to local speakers, you might just find your new favourite pastime with us.”

Heart of the West Oddfellows members on a recent group visit to Dartington's Grade II listed gardens in Totnes, Devon

Some of the group’s upcoming local events include a wreath making workshop, a bell ringing session and talks from the RNLI, Devon Air Ambulance and an RHS Gold Medal-winning landscape gardener.

There’s also a real breadth of interesting activities on offer across the country where newcomers are welcome to come along and try, which include wine tasting, a watercolour art class, a talk on artisan cheese-making and a game of Kurling or Boccia.

The Oddfellows also hosts around 60 free online events each month which are open to all and listed on the online Events Finder.

Photo: David Tett / Centre for Ageing Better

Keeping life interesting

Tara added: “You don’t have to be a member to try an Oddfellows social event and there’s no pressure to sign up straight away. Come and see if our groups are for you first.”

John Ralston has been a member of Heart of the West Oddfellows for 34 years. He said: “Not only is it nice to regularly see some friendly faces, but there’s always something new and exciting to look forward to.

“It’s great. It keeps life interesting. I always come away from an event with a spring in my step. And the best part is it’s all arranged for me. I don’t have to do anything other than turn up and enjoy myself.”

Oddfellows friendship groups

We're always ready to welcome new members to our local Oddfellows friendship groups. You can find your nearest by using our Branch Finder, or use our Events Finder to search for social events and activities happening near to where you live.

Give the Oddfellows a try. There's no obligation to join. Contact us to request your free information pack and local events diary.

Read more advice on making friends and building social confidence in our friendship guides section.