Quick skills you can learn online to reach your goals

Learning a new language has been on all of our bucket lists at least once in our lives but we never end up doing it because it seems too hard. Luckily, the digital era has made learning a new language easier than you might think. Language learning apps and websites offer interactive and personalised experiences that cater to your pace and preferences. With the help of AI-driven tools like Chat GPT and Bard, you can practise reading and writing in your desired language within a few months.

Here are a few of the best language learning apps:

• Babbel

  Visit Babbel
• Pimsleur

  Visit Pimsleur
• Duolingo

  Visit Duolingo

They say the way to a person's heart is through their stomachs and what better way to impress your loved ones than by throwing something delicious together in the kitchen without having to get a culinary degree? Recipe tutorials bring South African expert chefs right into your kitchen, guiding you step-by-step through those homey, comforting dishes you can make in no time.

Here are a few Instagram tutorials to get you started:

• DineWithTasha

  Easy meal ideas that will make you look like a Masterchef.

  View on Instagram
• Clem Pedro

  Looking for comfort food? Well, look no further.

  View on Instagram
• Mariza Ebersohn

  Wholesome plant-based recipes with a traditional twist.

  View on Instagram

You can also watch many more tutorials on Youtube or TikTok.

Home renovation and interior design digital tools allow homeowners to become creative architects of their own spaces, aside from what you find on social media. These tools give you a variety of aesthetics to choose from and allow you to renovate or recreate at your own pace. Discover colour coordination, lighting techniques, pattern compositions, furniture arrangements and so much more!

Here some FREE interior design tools we would recommend you start with:

• Houzz

  Offers many different interior design ideas.

  Visit Houzz
• Peppermint

  Allows users to choose the best colour set that suits their home.

  Visit Peppermint
• Cassandra LaValle

  A step by step guide on interior design tips for furniture placements, yard work and more!

  Visit the site

Yes, we had to slip this in as a reminder that the year still has many months left and the summer is approaching. You can still start with that fitness journey or continue with the one you already started, but ended up neglecting over the last few months. Luckily the internet has made it easier than ever to keep up with a fitness routine. You can now work out from the comfort of your own home with little to no gym equipment.

We've made it even easier to find something that suits you:

• The best free app: Nike Training Club

  Visit Nike Training Club
• The best app for Women: SWEAT

  Visit SWEAT
• The best app for men: CENTR

  Visit CENTR
• The best app for CrossFit: HWPO Training

  Visit HWPO Training
• The best app for all: All Out Studio

  Visit All Out Studio

Read more about these apps on our Facebook or Instagram pages.

Things that seem small to you, might mean much more to someone you love. Life, when paired with a busy schedule, has a way of making us lose touch with the people that matter the most. You may think that technology often gets in the way and consumes most of your time, but it doesn't have to. Technology can help you stay connected when used for the right reasons, at the right time. It helps remembering important dates like anniversaries and birthdays, scheduling date nights in advance and video calling your spouse in the middle of their work day to say hi.

Also, sharing the skills you've learned in this article so far can help strengthen your relationships as well, whether it's teaming up to cook a new recipe, working on a new home project or practising a foreign language together to finally go on that trip to Italy.

Regularly unplugging from the digital world to reconnect with the tangible world around you, is very important and we don't do it often enough. Taking a break from your phone allows you to pick up skills that don't involve a screen or other technology, such as playtime ideas with the kids, really making time to do what you love, having deep conversations and lighting a fire for the family braai (even when there's no rugby on).