Taking time to re-focus #300DaysofSurfing
I don’t know if it's the lockdown or just the general headspace I am in right now which makes me question and analyze every action.
Am I wasting my time? Is it all really worth it — is the documentation process just a way for me to coax myself to do something ‘worthwhile
I have often asked myself what am I afraid of most?
Deep down I think it is the fear of living a life of wasted potential. Imagine you had the capability of doing some big/lofty stuff in life and you never got around to achieving it? How does that guilt feel? The guilt you never took the one-shot offered…
I think this comes from my previous stint in tennis where I was on the verge of a semi-pro career path but I gave it away to take a typical study & corporate path due to many factors and indulging in this ‘rat race’
But then the counter though that arises in my head to this is — who defines ‘potential’ or the ‘lack of it’? Maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on myself and go through the motions — just indulging in things that give me pure, unadulterated joy and surf being one of them. Do I really have to prove something with this?
Be it either direction, I decided to take my first professional coaching session to get some feedback and get clear directions on what to improve…
The footage was rather appalling. I am going to link it here for a visual reminder of where I am in this journey!
It was a surreal experience. You know how on some days — the stars just don't align. Nothing worked. I was constantly in the wrong spot, missed the peaks, paddled like a beginner, and the waves I caught — I rode them badly. And this is after two years of dedicated surfing. Everything just felt and looked off, I couldn’t paddle for the heck of it and the spot felt not just new but alien.
Overall despite how the session turned out, I am glad I found Freddy to give some really good tips to improve and work upon!
Immediately on the next day i.e Day 18, I had a great day of surf. And it is just this amazing thing about the ocean that draws me to its allure even more. You can never conquer mother nature and the days you think you are going to nail it — you possibly end up becoming a pupil all over again and the realization dawns on you that there is so much more to learn and improve!
After this session though, I am overall a bit more present and conscious in the water trying to get better with every day and every paddle!
Coming back to the thoughts about ‘wasted potential’ — I am telling myself consistently that it’s not worth comparing constantly to other people and remind myself that maybe we shouldn’t be so hard upon ourselves.
Focus on yourself, work every day on getting better and you should only compare yourself to who you were yesterday.
If there is even a minute improvement… it's all worth it!
Day 16–20 comes to a wrap. It has been one of self-introspection and finding a path to get better…
Join my journey as I chase #300DaysOfSurf, share my story, learnings, experiences, and thoughts.
Why am I doing this?
No particular reason. I just hope that this journey encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and do something that enriches your journey and makes the most of the situation during this pandemic!
I will also be contributing to a cause at the end of this journey (for every day of surf I will be giving away $10 to a cause — details are to follow as I shortlist organizations creating positive impact via sport).
Money raised so far:
Day 16,17,18,19 and 20
01 August — $10
02 August — $10
03 August — $10
05 and 06 August — $20
Total (to date): $200
