Old Dogs, Learning New Tricks, and The Magic of Neuroplasticity
Can an old dog learn new tricks??
The good news?
OF COURSE you can teach your brain new dance moves at 87 (looking at you, grandma doing a lethal shimmy, salsa, and tush push).
The bad news?
It can be harder than getting your teenage cousin to look up from their text messages at dinner.
Alright my old dawgs, let's dive into why your brain acts like a stubborn GPS refusing to recalculate when you're trying to learn the ukulele at 34 (a shout out to my new husband Sammy).
Your Brain: The Ultimate Construction Zone
When you learn something new (say, how to make sourdough during the pandemic panic like literally everyone else), your neurons start dating each other. First date? Awkward. By the 500th loaf? They're finishing each other's...sandwiches. In other words: "neurons that fire together, wire together"—which sounds like a terrible 1980s couples retreat slogan but is actually how your brain works.
This is what Hebbian’s Learning Theory is all about, which states that “when our brains learn something new, neurons are activated and connected with other neurons, forming a neural network. These connections start off weak, but each time the stimulus is repeated, the connections grow stronger and stronger, and the action becomes more intuitive.”
The more you do something, the more well-worn the groove becomes, and the easier it becomes to do automatically. Remember when you first tried to parallel park? You were sweating bullets, cranking the wheel like you were steering the Titanic away from that iceberg. Now? You slide into that spot while sipping your oat milk latte and arguing with your mom on speakerphone about why you STILL don't want to watch Wicked tonight.
But, anytime you want to learn something new: like how to skateboard, or you try a new Farro Salad recipe, or you decide to finally learn how to lift hilariously heavy weights at Planet Fitness… your neurons are creating new pathways through something called neuroplasticity. It's like your brain is a constant construction zone, building bridges and highways at incredible speed that help you do, understand, and feel new things.
But Wait, There's More (Because There Always Is)
Here's where it gets wild. Your brain isn't just building new connections—it's also Marie Kondo-ing the !@#$ out of the ones you don't use. Haven't spoken Japanese since college (that’s me!)? Say “Sayonara” to those neural pathways! Your brain thanked them for their service and sent them into the void.
This process is called synaptic pruning, which is actually your brain's cleaning mechanism that allows you to “remove connections in the brain that are no longer needed.” The cool thing though is that you can also grow NEW brain cells (neurogenesis, for those keeping score). Both of these processes are considered a part of neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming and removing neural connections, allowing it to adapt to new experiences, learn new information, and recover from injuries.
Why You Should Care (Besides Impressing People at Parties)?
Picture this: You finally decide to learn to make a decent sandwich because you watched The Bear and are all hyped up on adrenaline. First attempt? Your "sandwich" looks like a soup of meats, cheese, pickles and bread. But here's the thing—every wonky attempt is literally rewiring your brain. You're not just making ugly food; you're building a neural superhighway!
However (and it's a big but, and I cannot lie)—learning takes ENERGY. Trying to master cooking after pulling an all-nighter? Good luck. Your exhausted brain will process the recipe about as well as this deer plays the drums (spoiler: poorly).
When you're tired, your brain basically turns to mush. It struggles to:
Focus (goodbye, Spanish lessons)
Remember things (where did I put that juggling tutorial?)
Make decisions (should I learn banjo or harmonica? brain explodes)
So you need to make sure you have rested, slept, or gotten a bit of energy before trying new things. But in addition to making sure you have energy (which is harder to come by as you get older), there’s more to keep in mind when you’re trying to learn something new past the age of 4...
The "You're Not Getting Any Younger" Part
Real talk: As we age, our brains do get a bit... "selective" about forming new connections. It's like your brain switches from being a social butterfly at a college party to being that person who has the same booth at the same pizza spot every Friday night and gives unfamiliar customers the stink eye.
The great news is that there's now "mounting evidence for lifelong brain plasticity" (fancy way of saying your brain doesn't actually retire to Florida at 75). Studies show that whether you're 12 or 68, practicing a new activity STILL creates both positive functional AND structural brain changes.
Your "Learn New Tricks" Action Plan
So you want to finally learn to play backgammon? Or make your own s’mores ice cream instead of taking down store-bought, freezer-burned pints each night post-dindin? Or maybe you're ready to tackle the electric keyboard your great aunt left you in her will? Here's your game plan:
1. Pick something you actually care about. Don't learn Mandarin because LinkedIn told you to. Learn it because you want to order dim sum like a BOSS.
2. Start ridiculously small. Want to paint? Day 1: Take out your materials. Day 2: Pick up a brush and dip it in paint. Day 3: Make a smiley face. I'm not kidding. Your brain needs wins, not a masterpiece on day one (and this is usually not possible…so best to set up tasks you can crush. The dopamine hit in your brain feels amazing when you do this)!
3. Schedule it when you're NOT a zombie Learning tap dance at 6 AM before coffee and you’re a night owl? That's not neuroplasticity, that's just silly. Make sure you’ve got enough energy to actually do the thing you’re committing to.
4. Get a buddy (learning loves company) Want to run a 5k? Find someone else who also wants to start running… very slowly. Solidarity, baby!
What's This Old Dog Up To?
Speaking of trying new things at my advanced age (37.5 years old), I've started a YouTube channel because I’m trying to find more ways to share the incredible, life-changing research behind Mental Fitness with strangers on the internet.
So what does all this mean for us regular humans trying to juggle life, work, and the occasional attempt at self-improvement? It means we don’t need to become overnight geniuses or productivity robots. We just need to start. The science says we’re capable. The challenge is more about mindset than age—more about curiosity than perfection. And honestly, if you're going to fumble your way through learning something new, why not make it something that excites you and gives you a great story to tell at brunch?
Bottom line: Learning new skills becomes harder as we age, but research shows our brains can still adapt and learn throughout life—we just need to pick things we care about, start small, practice when we're energized, and maybe grab a friend to share (or follow) in the adventure.
