Disclosure: Friends Over 50 participates in affiliate programs, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
When I want to treat myself to a little lift, I buy flowers at the grocery store. There’s just something about walking into the kitchen and seeing fresh blooms on the island. It gives me an instant mood boost.
Over the years, I’ve watched a few flower arranging videos, but deep down, I always wanted to take a hands-on workshop. Floral classes can be a bit pricey, and I never seemed to find the right one at the right time. But when I saw a one-night spring arrangement class pop up nearby, I decided it was finally time to go for it.
Part of my “empty nest over 50” mindset is saying yes to new experiences. Even if I’m not sure I’ll be good at them.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
I felt a little nervous walking into the class. Flower arranging is out of my usual skill set. I’m not particularly gifted when it comes to the visual arts. But I wanted to give it a try.
When I arrived at the cozy shop, I found two long tables set up with supplies, and about 20 of us gathered, ready to create. Our instructor, Maria was dressed perfectly for the occasion in a floral print jumpsuit. She showed us how to prep each flower and greenery stem before adding it to our arrangements, explaining every step with patience and enthusiasm.
One technique I learned and want to try again is called “flexing” carnations. You remove the center petals and gently open the bloom to make it look fuller, almost like a peony or a frilly rose.
A Room Full of Beauty and Beginners
At the end of the night, we admired each other’s work. Even though we used the same flowers and vases, every arrangement looked different. And they were all beautiful.
I overheard several women mention that they weren’t naturally skilled at things like this. But it didn’t matter. We all showed up. We all tried something new. And we all left with something we were proud of.
The Power of Staying Open
This experience reminded me why I want to stay open to new things. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about staying engaged with life and giving yourself permission to try.
That’s part of the Learner mindset I hope to keep building in this chapter of life. (If you’re curious about how your own strengths can guide your next chapter, you might enjoy my post about reinventing yourself after 50 using StrengthsFinder 2.0.)
When you say yes to new experiences, you often end up with something beautiful in the end.
What About You?
Is there a class, workshop, or hobby you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t made the time for yet? Maybe this is the perfect moment to say yes. 🌸