Trying Something New

Utah Beach in Normandy

Hello! We've been on the road again, computer-less and with minimal internet connection. It's been lovely to be so reconnected as to not even be checking my emails, but it's also nice to be back now and reconnecting with people, ideas and the stimulating world of the wide web!

Following on from my post about Learning all the Time, today I'm going to share with you about trying something new. Trying something new can be life-changing, it can be energising and it can be great great fun.

Part of our holiday was a birthday celebration at the amazing outdoor pursuits centre Yenworthy Lodge. We spent one of the best weekends of my life with a group of the most amazing people I've been lucky enough to meet. And I spent an afternoon surfing! (no that's not me in the picture above!).

I have to admit I'd been rather dubious about this activity. Everytime I thought about trying it, I kept imagining all the ways I would make myself look ridiculous by having a go! 

First there was the wetsuit. Now I consider myself to be in not bad shape for a 40 year old mother of 3 but wetsuits are very unforgiving and images of beached whales and heffalumps came to mind.

Me, ready to Kayak

Then there was the looming disgrace of my lack of sporting abilities compared to the rest of my immediate family. Former 110m hurdling champion of Rhone Alps - check. Kids who are literally great at every sport they try - check. Severe awareness of being a little out of shape - check. 

All those things combined to have me pretty much ready to hang out my wetsuit to dry and take up a spectators position. And then I read these words from a friend and other participant, she said,  

"well I'll give it a try and if I'm no good or it's not that much fun, I'll just go chill on the beach". 

What wisdom! So often as adults we take ourselves a bit too seriously, we worry a bit too much about our dignity and in so doing cut ourselves off from trying to many fun things. What a shame for ourselves. And how far from the example we want to model for our children. How can we tell them to give things a go, have a try if we're not prepared to do it ourselves.

Noah preparing to belly slide off a kayak!

I've seen it over and over again with language learners, how they're too afraid to speak because they are so sure they're going to make mistakes or sound stupid. Put your pride away I'd say and give it a go. It's the only way to get better.

Me and my life long friend off to surf!

So I decided to take my own advice, put my own pride away, stopped worrying about my dignity and decided to just have fun. It really helped that I teamed up with my best mate Cath, I couldn't have asked for a better partner.

Maya catches a wave

Lotta surfs in

Oh yeah, I know you're all dying to know how it went... was I as awful as I'd thought I might be? Did my kids and hubbie show me up? Well, yes my Maya and Lotta were natural surfers much to everyone's envy. And yes Frank did not too bad nor Noah before he took an early raincheck. But, yes there's a but, I was actually not bad! 

I was stood up right after!

I managed to ride a wave which was one of the greatest highs I've experienced in a while and even stand up on my board if only for seconds! I cannot begin to describe how happy and content this made me feel. I was not only pleased I'd given it a go, I actually discovered something I really enjoy. What better encouragement for me to get out there and try more new things. 

Today, surfing in Devon, tomorrow the world!