Want more fun? Try this...

So lately I’ve been doing a bit of ‘work’ on having more fun, ironic I know… I’m the kind of person that wants to do everything perfectly the first time, to have everything on my to do list done yesterday, and can’t stand not being good at something (perfectionism anyone??) I’m sure plenty of you guys can relate!

I went bouldering for the first time at the weekend and had no idea what I was doing. Not only did I not know what I was doing I also have a fear of heights, yeah good combo right? I noticed about an hour in that I was starting to put pressure on myself, that I was already planning to get some lessons with an experienced instructor, to read everything I could about climbing, to practice until I was good enough and guess what? It WASN’T FUN ANYMORE.

It was just about proving to myself that I could be good, that I could climb the hardest routes and, let’s be honest, impress the people I went climbing with (as well as myself) with my newfound ability. High expectations for someone who has all of 60 minutes experience. BUT for the first time in my life I took a step back, saw the thought process for what it was, and actually had a little chuckle to myself. WHO CARES if I’m good at climbing? NO ONE is the answer. I don’t actually care, I just want to have fun whilst doing it, the dude that’s climbing next to me? I highly doubt he cares.

So for anyone who’s a perfectionist like I am, or has extremely high expectations of themselves in too many areas of their lives, remember that sometimes it’s ok to do something just for fun. Sometimes it’s ok to be just ok at something, or even just to suck at it! If you are enjoying it and having fun does it really matter that you’re not exceptional at it? Give yourself permission to have fun and try something new on a weekly basis because if you don’t before you know it life loses a little bit of something, a bit of colour, a bit of excitement. So let go of those expectations and get creative.

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