Retirement provides us with the time and freedom to pursue our existing interests and follow our curiosity.
However, when it comes to learning something new – whether it’s photo-graphy, investing, or our family history – it’s easy to become overwhelmed or lost in the planning process.
Tiago Forte’s 4-stage system (blog post “My 4-Stage System for Learning Anything New”) makes learning new things easier and more enjoyable.
I’ve adapted his four stages to make them usable for the development of new interests in retirement. And I added a Step 0 to help us choose what to focus on first.
The 5 steps to explore new passions with ease
Step 0 – Pick a topic that sparks your interest
Before you begin, choose something you are genuinely curious about. Don’t worry if it’s “useful” or “productive.” What matters is that you’re interested enough to spend a little time on it.
Here comes a collection of ideas to help you get inspired:
Creative hobbies
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- Watercolour painting
- Knitting or crocheting
- Digital photography
- Learning to play an instrument
- Writing short stories or memoirs
Health and wellbeing
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- Mindful movement (like tai chi or gentle yoga)
- Meal planning for healthy ageing
- Brain fitness and memory games
- Sleep improvement strategies
- Strength and balance training for over 60s
Money and retirement planning
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- Making a simple retirement budget
- Understanding superannuation and pension rules
- Estate planning basics
- Downsizing or decluttering
- Ethical investing for beginners
Science and Nature
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- Astronomy for beginners
- Birdwatching and local wildlife
- Geology or weather patterns
- How the human brain works
- Climate change and sustainability
History and culture
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- Local or family history
- World War II from a personal perspective
- The history of classical music
- Art history (pick a period or artist)
- Ancient civilisations
I chose the topic ‘Family history – Exploring your ancestry’ to take you through the 4 steps that are based on Forte’s stages:
Step 1 – Get curious
Just dip your toes in – no pressure!
Start by simply exposing yourself to the topic. Don’t overthink it. Read, listen, watch – just start absorbing.
Example: Exploring your ancestry
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- Subscribe to a newsletter about family tree creation
- Follow a YouTube channel about genealogy basics
- Listen to a podcast episode about someone’s discovery of their roots
- Visit your local library and borrow a book on family history
- Instead of watching general news tonight, watch a documentary about immigration to Australia
Next step: Spend 30 minutes this week exploring the topic. Pick whatever format feels easiest.
Step 2 – Try it out
Do something small and real.
Now, stop reading/watching and start doing. Pick a simple, doable project and give yourself a short deadline.
Example: Exploring your ancestry
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- Choose one grandparent and sketch a family tree for their side
- Spend one weekend gathering old family photos and notes
- Use a free online tool like FamilySearch.org to look up one ancestor
- Ask a relative for stories or names from past generations
Next step: Complete one small family history project this week – even if it’s imperfect.
Step 3 – Learn from someone who’s been there
Find a real guide, not a social media crowd.
Once you have dipped your toe and tried a little project, it’s time to find a trusted teacher.
Example: Exploring your ancestry
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- Attend a workshop at your local genealogy group or library
- Sign up for an online course from a respected genealogy educator
- Follow one expert’s blog and ignore the rest
- Borrow a practical how-to book on researching ancestry in Australia
Next step: Choose one teacher or resource to go deeper with. Don’t juggle too many.
Step 4 – Connect with others
Learning is better together.
Find or create a group to share your interest. It helps keep your motivation up—and it’s more fun.
Example: Exploring your ancestry
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- Join a local genealogy club or Facebook group
- Host a “family history” afternoon with your kids or grandkids
- Organise a photo-scanning day with siblings or cousins
- Offer to give a short talk at your community centre about what you’ve found
- Start a simple ancestry binder to share at family gatherings
Next step: Make one connection – attend a meeting, post a question online, or invite a friend to join you.
Important tip: Declutter if it’s not the right fit.
It’s important to remember that we don’t have to finish everything we start. We can decide, at any time, that something isn’t as interesting or exciting to us as we thought.
If your excitement fades after Step 1 or 2, that’s okay. You’re not failing – you’re just filtering. Only a few topics will grow into true passions. The rest? Enjoy the taste and move on.
Now it’s your turn:
Pick one topic that lights you up and gently explore it.
By then following the 4 steps, you can enjoy learning new things in retirement – without overwhelm.