I was never particularly athletic, as a kid. Sure, I participated in some sports, a little, but it was never really my thing. When I was on a kid’s soccer team at my local community center, I spent most of the time sitting on the side of the field building little towers out of sticks and rocks I found in the grass. In the ranking of things I wanted to spend my time doing, I likely would have ranked ‘sports’ below ‘extra math homework’ every time. However, after many reminders from my doctor that regular exercise is important, my partner and I recently decided to sign up for an aikido class. And so far, I’ve been really enjoying it!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m still not particularly athletic, as a person. But I have fun at class, and I’ve made friends there, and I definitely feel a sense of accomplishment when I learn something new. Looking back on it now, I wish I’d signed up sooner – I’d considered it some time ago, but put it off as I was worried about embarrassing myself in class with my lack of athletic capability. Which, in hindsight, was a profoundly silly concern. I wrote something for a previous One Wealth Perspective about trying new things without being stressed about doing them perfectly, and clearly, that’s something I’m still working on. Overall, I think this has been a helpful reminder to myself that I shouldn’t limit myself based on stories I have in my head about whether I’m athletic, or nerdy, or creative, or any other adjective that draws a box around what activities we’re supposed to enjoy, and what activities we’re supposed to dislike.
