I’m an all or nothing person. If I’m not immediately great at something, I give up. If I can’t be perfect all of the time, I won’t do it. This is a problem with things like trying to learn a new skill, or trying to lose weight. As soon as a project doesn’t turn out as I envisioned, or the first day I fall off the wagon, I’m done. That’s something I’ve been working on this year. I’m learning two new related skills (drawing and hand lettering) that I’m not exceptionally good at, but I know that if I practice, I’ll at least get better. So, I’ve been trying to do about 10 minutes a day. I’m also trying to lose weight, and I’ve lost about 15 pounds so far.
However...this past weekend, I didn’t do any of that. I went to a friend’s house where I drank all of the wine and ate all of the food and didn’t do any of the lettering or drawing practice. Not one for one night, but I did this for two nights. Old me would have just called that a failure and given up. However, I’m trying to see it as just a time out, and it seems to be working. Yesterday and today I’m back on track with my eating and (mostly) with my exercising. I also did 20 minutes of lettering and drawing practice. I guess I’m just grateful to know that I can accept setback, and that they’re not all failures, and that I can move forward and life isn’t over if I’m not perfect the first time (or the hundred and first time). I’m also grateful you CAN apparently teach an old dog new tricks!
