Trying something new

We all say we want to try new things.  But really, do we?  Do we want to put our ass on the line and risk ridicule?  There’s a quote that says:

IF WE ARE GROWING WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE.

boy-howdy, if roller derby isn’t out of my comfort zone, I don’t know what is.  Here’s what I mean:

*In the last few years I’ve decided that I am not going to wear shorts again.   There was no traumatic shorts incident (except that one photo) but I just believed that my short, squat stature couldn’t quite pull off the look.  Coverage is my motto.

Now?  I wear fish net tights underneath shorts for roller derby practice. Okay fine, I’m not wearing the hotpants that some of the girls are sporting.  But for me, my big girl pink gym shorts are a step in the right direction.

*Falling.  Okay, this isn’t  strictly my rule.  Most people do not like to fall.  It’s embarrassing, no one looks good while doing it, and it hurts.

Now?  I don’t love falling but I’ve learned how to do it.  And it happens.  All the time.  And guess what?  I get up and keep going.

*Exercise.  This is not very cool to admit, but I don’t really like exercise.  I don’t like sweating.  I’m not so good at pushing myself.  Basically, I can be a big wimp.

Now?  I’m there man.  Pushing myself.  Working up my endurance.  Exercising when I’m not at practice.  I’m not saying I couldn’t do more… and I’ll never be a marathon runner, but still.  Baby stepping.   I’m baby stepping.

So even with just these examples, I’m getting myself out of my comfort zone.  And let me tell you.  It’s exhilarating!  To try something new, and not expect myself to be GREAT at it.  How freeing is that?

I feel like these lessons I am learning, thru the crazy sport of roller derby, are here, just in the nick of time.  I don’t want to grow old too soon.  I don’t want to be set in my ways.  I just wanna roll!  And knock some women down!

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Connections

I should have started this blog last fall, but I’ve decided to not let that stop me.  I will begin writing now, and weave this whole life-changing derby experience together.

Besides new friends and cool clothes, it’s been an amazing ride, ALREADY.  I think part of that is about connections.

I’m a gal who has never really fully been comfortable with my body.  The idea of doing something physical, that I didn’t know anything about, at age 41, scared the crap out of me.

But if I’ve learned anything in this life of mine, I’ve learned to pay attention to that fear.  All the truly important things that I have experienced in life are because I pushed myself past my fear.

So as nervous and afraid as I was, I barreled into roller derby.  Knowing I’d look like a fool, I’d never be able to wear the cool skirts and fishnets, and I’d probably fall down a lot.

What happened along the last 3 months is not just about facing my fears.  It’s made me pay attention to my body.  To realize, that even though my body isn’t like everybody else’s (hello?  shortest arms and legs in America!!!)  it’s pretty damn good.  It moves, it looks not half bad, and it is me.  I am not just my thoughts and emotions, I am also this body.  And it’s about time I started liking it, bruises and all.

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