Trying New Things

The best way to overcome a fear of failure is to try new things. Trying something new implies some struggle and failure as you learn. As I worked to overcome perfectionism and a fear of failure, I tried new things and reconnected with old favorites. I was always an avid reader, but I abandoned this hobby when I started college. Junior year, one of my roommates invited us all to friend her on Goodreads and set a yearly reading goal. I felt like college had given me tunnel vision, focused only on reaching the end of each quarter. I had forgotten how much I loved reading. I read romance, fantasy, romantic comedy, and memoirs. My favorite books that I’ve read over the past few years are Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green, and Babel by R. F. Kuang. Reading has become a new part of my routine. I bought a Kindle, and now reading is the first thing I do in the morning and the last thing I do before sleeping. Books allow me to have an at-home distraction rather than needing to go on a hike, providing me with new outlets to find balance.

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As I worked to overcome perfectionism and a fear of failure, I tried new things and reconnected with old favorites.

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Running has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in the Turkey Trot family and ran both track and cross country in middle and high school. However, my relationship with running in college has been on and off. I decided during my junior year to sign up for the Iron Horse Half Marathon. I even convinced my parents to fly up and run it with me. Training for it was hard, especially while starting a new job and studying for the MCAT at the same time. But I did it, I finished my first half marathon at age 22! Running is a huge outlet for me, I don’t feel like myself when I’m not regularly running. I felt honored to run alongside my parents, who inspired me to start running as a kid, and I hope to continue using running to benefit both my physical and mental health. 

 

But I did it, I finished my first half marathon at age 22!

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​The new things I tried in college include climbing and skiing. I grew up skiing, but had not skied since 2019, so it really did feel like I was starting all over again. Climbing was something I always wanted to try, but I was too scared to. I tried both with the company of my very patient boyfriend, who supported me through all the emotions associated with trying new things as a recovering perfectionist. I found that I learn quickly, showing great improvement in both skiing and climbing after even 2 days. I found confidence in trying new ski runs or new climbs, slowly breaking down my need to be instantly perfect. Not only do I have new hobbies, but I am also becoming a more resilient person through trying new things. 

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I found confidence in trying new ski runs or new climbs, slowly breaking down my need to be instantly perfect.