Learning to Suck At Something New (from 2021)

Okay, so I don't actually think I suck at skiing, but hear me out. When you're skiing at the same place as some of the world's best athletes and professional ski bums, you will suck in comparison. And to me, that honestly relieves a lot of the pressure.There is so much emphasis on being good at things, and so much unnecessary shame when we're beginners. In reality, being a beginner is one of the most exciting things you can be- you have an entire world ahead of you, your potential is limitless. I personally am constantly trying new things, finding new hobbies, and I think it's one of the best ways to lose one's sense of ego...I've been humbled more times than I could count. I believe humans shouldn't take ourselves too seriously, and what better way to practice that belief than by constantly making a fool out of yourself?

Sucking can suck when it seems like you'll never get to where you want to be. The way to mitigate this, for me, is by celebrating the smallest of victories. For me, that's skiing down a run I chickened out on the week before, or not tumbling down a double black diamond (or actually attempting to ski down one, not just sidestepping down the hill). The good news is, skiing with more skilled risk takers forces you to drastically improve in a short amount of time- sink or swim, am I right? (within reason, as safety is always #1)

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, even in Jackson where ski season seems endless. Never in a million years could I ever conceptualize the day I'd be sad about winter being over. I can't remember the last time I've felt so energized about something, or been so present, or felt so challenged on a daily basis. When the season was over, I knew there would be a bit of a void to fill. This has since lit a fire under me to spend more time pursuing my hobbies, more time getting out of my comfort zone, and most importantly, more time sucking at something new.