There’s a special kind of awkward that comes with being bad at something as a grown woman. Can I get an amen?
When you’re a kid, being a beginner is normal. Everybody’s learning. But as adults we get used to being good at things. We know how to do our jobs, run our homes and manage our lives. So when we try something new and we’re clumsy at it, it can feel almost embarrassing.
And yet I’m convinced being a beginner is one of the best gifts we can give ourselves. Let me tell you why.
Why We Avoid It
We tell ourselves we’re too busy. Too old. That we should have started years ago. Underneath all of that is usually one fear: What if I look foolish?
But think about how much we miss because of that fear. The dance class. The language. The painting. The business idea. The new city.
What Beginning Again Gives Us
- Humility, in a good way. It reminds us we don’t have to know everything.
- Curiosity. Everything is interesting when it’s new.
- Proof that we can still grow. Every small improvement is evidence that change is possible, at any age.
- Joy without pressure. When nobody expects you to be good yet, you’re free to just enjoy it.
How to Be Kinder to Yourself as a Beginner
Expect it to be awkward. That’s not a sign you shouldn’t be doing it. It’s a sign you’re learning.
Compare yourself only to where you started, not to people who have been doing it for twenty years.
Celebrate the tiny milestones. The first full song. The first painting you don’t hide. The first conversation in a new language.
And laugh. Seriously. Being a beginner is funny sometimes. Let it be.
A Prompt for You
What have I always wanted to try, but told myself it was too late?
Write it down. Then write one small way you could begin this month. It’s not too late. It never was.
I’d love to know what you’re going to try. Whatever it is, be your own biggest cheerleader. I’ll be cheering right along with you.
Want a little more support along the way? My two journals, Nurturing Your Soul: A Guide to Practicing Self-Care and The Mindful Journey Journal, are available on Amazon.
