Do you know where the magic of life lives? It is in being willing to be a beginner. To be willing to not be perfect at something is difficult, I know. Because there are days when you feel like you have things together and it feels good. And then there are those days when you feel like you really, really don’t have your act together and that doesn’t feel as good.
I tend to write on days when things are going well. When I am feeling optimistic because that is what I want to bring to you. Not something false but something true. On the days when the world has made me weary, I tend to write in my own private journal and leave it there.
However, I also want to be authentic. So I need to write to let you know there will be days when you will feel less than perfect. News flash – I know. But, wait it gets better.
There are also going to be days when you have no idea what you are doing. These days tend to happen when I have decided to move outside of my comfort zone. And, I am reminded of how much I don’t know. That I am now a beginner at whatever it is – again!
Being a Beginner
Now, there is nothing wrong with being a beginner, in fact it is the only way to progress to someday being a master at something. But it is uncomfortable to be a beginner, especially as an adult.
When you are a kid, you are constantly trying new things just because so many things are new! And, life is one big discovery zone where you get to play at different things. You can find out what you are good at and maybe not so good at. And most kids will keep plugging away at something they aren’t that great at it if they enjoy doing it, because they like the process.
Somewhere along the way of growing up (probably around middle school) peer pressure kicks in and people you respect start telling you what you are good at and not. We try to make it easier on ourselves and we stop trying all the things we did before and eventually wind up painting ourselves into a box. This box is safe because we know it intimately. We know the strength, texture and composition of it. Getting outside our box and into a new area where we are a beginner (not an expert) will initially be painful – we will be reminded of our shortcomings. Yet, out of the box is where all the growth and juiciness of life lives. That’s where the fun begins.
#Not Perfect – Describes all of us
This journey I’ve been on for the last year of getting my blog up and running has been hard. I’ve had to be reminded of all that I don’t know. But, even though I am nowhere near perfect at this, I’m starting to get the hang of it. I might even have a new box I can hang out in now.
What would you try if the act of trying and learning fueled growth for yourself? Because in continually trying new things and being willing to be a beginner, you will discover the magic of feeling like a kid again. The possibilities are infinite!
I’m willing to keep being #not perfect if you will! Please let me know in the comments below if you have tried your hand at something new and how it went for you.
Please check out this mind-blowing list for more ways to be a beginner at something! Happy Learning!
Did you enjoy this post? If so, don’t forget to share it on Pinterest!
While you are here, make sure you grab your copy of the "Self-Care Mini-Guide" to help you figure out how to add self-care to your daily life. Just click the link Loveselfcare Self-Care Mini-Guide to download your guide!
[…] to allow yourself to be a beginner again just like you used to do when you were a kid. Check out #NotPerfect. Being able to be a beginner again is fun, this scores a […]