Skills to Learn with Friends

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Learning a new skill by yourself can be fulfilling and very fun. However, learning a new skill with friends can be doubly so. Cultivating a new skill with friends can not only lead to learning a new craft but also provide an outlet for socialization. Plus, when you learn a new skill with others who you trust, it is easier to help each other and can greatly decrease the amount of frustration involved. After all, when you have others around to help you, they can help you get over roadblocks and learn tough techniques that might have taken you a while to learn by yourself.

Learning a skill with friends also can improve your mental health, especially if you are suffering from depression or recovering from an addiction. The fulfilment of learning a new skill coupled with the support of friends can be a great uplift for those experiencing mental illness.

Here are some skills to learn that make for a great place to start:

Playing an Instrument

Starting a band is the topic of countless sitcoms and movies. However, starting a new band in real life can be surprisingly fulfilling. Even if you don’t plan on ever becoming professional, starting a band with a group of friends can be extremely fun and help you improve your instrument skills considerably. Even if you don’t know how to play an instrument, getting together with a group of friends to learn is a great way to get started. Don’t just limit yourself to “regular” instruments. Feel free to branch into classical instruments as well if that fits your tastes!

Cook

Who doesn’t love house parties? They’re fun, a great way to socialize, and there is usually a lot of food. But, they hosting a house party can be stressful. You have to fix all the food, set up the house so that others can socialize, and spend most of your evening ensuring that your guests are having fun. This can be extremely overwhelming for anyone. If you have a mental illness, it is almost out of the question. So, why not invite some friends over for a fun episode of cooking followed by a feast?

Sew

Sewing is a wonderful skill to learn with friends. When you sew, it just seems to be so much easier for the conversation to flow. When pauses inevitably happen, they don’t seem awkward because everyone is focused on their own craft. For project ideas, head over to the Quilting Gail to see what things she’s created with her friends.

Draw

You might be wondering, how is it possible to draw with friends? However, if you think back to your school days, you’ll discover that you probably spent hours doodling with your friends in between classes and after assignment. You can take drawing classes with your friends online or in-person. According to Hot Courses, drawing classes have many benefits beyond the canvas. Drawing can improve your handwriting and even increase your mood. It can help you learn to communicate more effectively as you express yourself creatively. There are lots of drawing games available too, both online and tabletop. So, invite your friends over for a drawing game or sign up for a course together.

Writing Poetry

Similarly to drawing, there are a lot of different ways you can go about this. You can take a poetry writing class together. Even if you don’t write regularly, poetry classes have a lot of benefits. It can help you find your voice, which can improve your confidence, and even improve your sense of individuality as you find out that you do have something unique to say.

Engaging in a skill with friends can be fun and fulfilling. Not only can it bring you closer together and increase your support system, but also it can be useful if you are suffering from a mental health disorder.

Photo Credit: Gulf Photo Plus

Thanks to Julie Morris for the article