Re-Visiting Experiences In Life

The first time I went bouldering in 2021, I had no confidence and lacked the strength to climb well. Recently, during my second bouldering experience, I surpassed my own expectations, climbing angled walls and around corners, despite initial hesitancy.

I felt in awe of myself, unsure of how to comprehend the reality of the present. While my direct bouldering experience didn’t change over the past three years, I did.

The most significant change over the past few years isn’t my physical strength or abilities, but rather, my mindset and attitude towards life.

I used to be paralysed in inaction due to fear of failure and social judgment. Now, I welcome unsuccessful attempts and failure as this is the root of improvement and the foundation of a levelled up version of me.

My approach is: Fk it, I’m going to do it. If I flop or do it poorly, I’ll get feedback, which then improves my next attempt; repeat. This is better than stagnancy, where nothing is learnt. Failure is progress - keep moving.

Up until a couple months ago, I had a major fear of drowning due to the inability to swim. This meant avoiding water-based activities I want to experience - inflatable water park, snorkelling, diving, lake swimming etc.

Within three months of swimming lessons, I no longer panic underwater (even if feeling out of breath), can float and tread water, continually strengthen kicking techniques, and learnt underwater flips and diving techniques. This is a significant difference in outcomes when compared to my failed swimming attempts in primary school.

Failing at one point in time, with one version of ourselves does not equate to failing life-long, with all versions of ourselves. Remember that.