Teaching as a Tool for Growth

Here’s a little confession: the word teaching makes me squirm.

Sharing what I’ve learned with a friend? Sure.

Posting about my latest midlife “aha”? Totally doable.

But “teaching”? ... That feels like something reserved for professors with pointer sticks or those YouTubers who somehow manage to make every topic sound simple.

And yet… the more I dig into this whole idea of skill stacking in midlife, the more I learn that teaching isn’t about standing at a podium or writing a manual. It’s about something much simpler — taking what you’ve learned, packaging it in your own way, and offering it to someone who could use it.

---

From Showing to Teaching

In the last post, I talked about showing your work. That step is about visibility: letting others see your progress, mistakes, and little wins in real time. It says, “Here’s what I’m figuring out.”

Teaching is the next layer. Instead of just showing the messy process, you’re saying, “Here’s what worked for me — and maybe it can work for you too.” Teaching is about clarity and usefulness. It’s taking what you’ve wrestled with and turning it into something another person can grab onto.

💭Think of it this way: showing your work is the behind-the-scenes footage, while teaching is the highlight reel that actually helps someone else try it for themselves.

---

Why Teaching Strengthens You Too

Here’s the part that surprised me: teaching isn’t just generous, it’s sneaky self-growth.

• When you explain something simply, you realize how much you’ve actually absorbed.

• When someone asks a question you can’t answer, it points out the exact spot where you can grow next.

• Teaching builds confidence — you suddenly see yourself as capable, not clueless.

• It turns learning into a feedback loop. Every time you share, you refine, reinforce, and strengthen your own skills.

In other words, teaching isn’t just about them. It’s also about you becoming sharper, braver, and more grounded in what you know.

“Over the years I’ve said no to teaching kids, devotionals, and even Bible study topics… until God gave me that ‘Really, Geri?’ look. Turns out, teaching doesn’t always mean standing at a podium. Sometimes it’s just showing up for one small thing — and realizing you can actually do it.”

---

Introvert-Friendly Ways to Teach

If your inner voice just muttered, “Yeah, but I’m not a teacher”, trust me, I get it. I’m right there with you. The good news is, teaching doesn’t have to mean commanding a classroom. It can be small, quiet, and still incredibly powerful:

• Send a quick “here’s what helped me” text to a friend.

• Share one tip in a group chat or comment thread.

• Mentor a niece, coworker, or neighbor who’s starting where you once were.

• Write a checklist or “cheat sheet” for yourself — then pass it along.

  
  

And here’s where I’ll get personal: over the years, I’ve been asked to teach kids (and co-teach kids when I said no), to lead devotionals, and most recently to take on a topic in my Bible study group. Two things became clear. First, people often see something in us before we recognize it ourselves. Second, I’ve had to be honest with myself: I’m still too immature and lazy (yes, I said it) to commit unless God Himself shows up with that “really, Geri?” face. And here’s where midlife wisdom kicks in — it’s okay to say no. Guilt-free. But also, don’t ignore the fact that others see something valuable in you. That’s worth exploring. My tip? Buy yourself some time. A simple “I’ll give it some thought” works wonders, even if you know you’ll likely decline. Funny thing is, that’s exactly what happened when I was asked to lead a Bible study session. I delayed so long it bordered on rude, opened the book out of courtesy, and realized it was short, engaging, and (yes) felt like God Himself nudging me with that ‘really, Geri?’ look. In the end, I said yes — and it turned out to be doable, even rewarding.

You don’t have to broadcast. Sometimes the most impactful teaching moments happen one-on-one, in the simplest way.

---

Why It Matters in Midlife

Midlife has this way of shifting our lens. We’re not just collecting experiences anymore — we’re curating them. Teaching lets us take what we’ve learned (the hard, the hilarious, and the humbling) and turn it into something useful. It moves us from consumer mode to contributor mode.

And maybe most importantly, it creates ripple effects. The little nugget you pass on today could be the exact encouragement someone else needs to keep going. That’s how legacies are built — not in giant gestures, but in steady, small acts of teaching and sharing.

---

Closing Thought

So if “teaching” feels intimidating, remember: you don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t even have to be the expert. You just need to be one step ahead and willing to reach back.

Your stack grows stronger not just by what you learn, but by what you share.

Your turn: What’s one thing you’ve learned lately that you could teach — even in a tiny way — to someone else?