"Be brave enough to be bad at something new"
My attempt at something new:
Water coloring!
In my season of rest, I am embracing the above quote as I try my hand at water coloring! The struggle to have it "perfect" exists but I choose to have the courage to start learning without the pressure to be good immediately!
I am learning to embracing imperfection and accept the flaws and mistakes as essential parts of the learning. I believe this is the necessary path to eventually become skilled.
It's about overcoming the fear of looking foolish or like an amateur to allow yourself the freedom to grow.
Learning a New Hobby: Progress Over Perfection
Starting a new hobby can feel equal parts exciting and intimidating. Whether it’s painting, gardening, learning a language, or picking up a musical instrument, the beginning is often filled with enthusiasm along with a little self-doubt.
You don’t have to be perfect to enjoy the process or gain real value from it. Reject the perfectionist standards and learn from the mistakes.
Having realistic expectations about your abilities as a beginner will help you avoid the pressure of getting it perfect.
Embrace Being a Beginner
One of the biggest hurdles in learning something new is accepting that you won’t be good at it right away. Being a beginner means you’re learning, experimenting, and growing. Instead of judging early mistakes, try to see them as proof that you’re trying.
Practical Tips for Beginning Something New
• Start small: My mantra of "Small Doable, Now" applies here!
What SMALL thing can you
DO (be specific)
NOW to begin learning something new?
For me, it was going to Jerry's Artarama and getting help with buying brushes, paints, paper... $$$$
• Set realistic expectations: Improvement takes time. Celebrate small wins along the way.
• Practice consistently: I have found that short, regular sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones.
• Learn from others: Tutorials, classes, or communities can offer guidance and motivation. I am looking into water coloring classes at some of our local community centers. Not only will I learn, but I will have the added benefit of being in community with people who share a similar interest!
• Have fun with it: If it stops being enjoyable, take a break, change your approach, or try something different! Needlepoint was that thing for me that I just couldn't stick with. So I gifted my supplies to a friend and moved on to something different!
As a beginner with water coloring, my first step was to create a color wheel, play with colors, learn to mix colors to create new ones.
I am letting myself play, make lots of mistakes, and am focusing on the progress, albeit slow!
Now, I look forward to "getting lost" with the paint!
Afterall, a new hobby should be fun and pressure -free. It should bring joy!
It's not about being the best at it but enjoying the process.
Progress rather than Perfection!
Learning something new has the added benefit of improving your mental and physical health. It can reduce stress, boost confidence, and give you a sense of accomplishment as you take some time to escape your daily routine.
What new thing can you start today?
Make it
Small and Doable and begin NOW
We all have to start somewhere!
~ Take the first step forward ~
~ Make the first brush stroke ~
~ Lace up your court shoes ~
~ Strum a guitar ~
~ Sign up for Dance Lessons! ~
~ Put on your gardening gloves ~