Last spring, I decided to learn golf. I spent most of the summer and part of the fall, taking lessons and practicing on the green. When I first started, I almost quit. Golf must be the most frustrating game EVER! I’m so glad I stuck with it because now, I’m not too terrible. I’ve continued to improve and find myself enjoying it more each time. On my last game, brave enough to keep score, I shot a 131. Not bad, I guess. According to my research, that’s an average score for beginners.
This winter, I embarked on another first: swim lessons. I took six one-hour lessons and, once again, felt frustrated with my learning curve and performance. Swimming can be especially challenging after a certain age, forty and beyond, to be precise.
My swim instructor, Ray, played a crucial role in the process. His encouragement and gentle guidance allowed me to stay confident and feel safe in the water. Now, I’m swimming laps on my own. Not perfectly, and I still have a long way to go, but Ray helped me reach the point where consistent practice is all that’s needed.
What has made all of this possible is a combination of drive, determination, and the right instructors. My golf instructor, Dennis, also made a huge difference. In many ways, he set the tone for my swimming journey. When I became frustrated, he would remind me, “Don’t listen to your bad caddy.” My “bad caddy,” he explained, was my inner voice, the one feeding negative thoughts about my ability to learn new things. With his support and persistence, my bad caddy was replaced with a “good” one: a voice that encouraged me to keep going, follow my dreams, practice hard, and, most importantly, have fun.
Trying something outside your comfort zone can be challenging, overwhelming, and even scary. But I promise the benefits far outweigh the discomfort. I’ve chosen to keep expanding my experiences as I grow older and have started a list titled “Things to Do During Midlife and Beyond.” I refuse to be trapped by my own limitations and have committed to exploring life beyond my current worldview.
