Just Do It (no really – just fucking do it).

The other day I posted this photo on Instagram and accompanied it with some thoughts on doing the stuff that is hard in order to get better at it. In the context of climbing it seems like a rather doable approach – your back muscles are weak? Do climbs that work them to get them stronger. Core needs some work? Hop on those core heavy problems. Yet I see this same situation crop up in other contexts (with the same logical solution) and it seems ridiculous, impossible, and just plain intimidating.

Writing this blog post brings it up: that muscle isn’t developed in me, so my instinct is to avoid working it. Cause when you start developing a muscle it is weak and sometimes your form is sloppy. When I climb it is rather low stakes: a few strangers might see me struggle on an easy overhang at the climbing gym. But when I publish this post the whole world (or more realistically, all 3 people who view this page) will see me grapple as I learn form, develop strength, and find my voice.

I find this nauseating. But also kind of exhilarating. Because, much like climbing, I love to write and want to share things that I’m creating, learning and thinking with other people. More importantly, I am interested in living my life more whole-heartedly, openly, and vulnerably, because, it turns out, that is where the juicy stuff is. So, here we go.