Like my beautiful red bike, only mine had a red sparkly seat.
When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?
When we're children, life is full of firsts.
Our first steps. Our first words. Our first bike ride. The first time we swim across a pool without someone holding us up.
But somewhere along the way, those firsts become fewer and farther between.
We get comfortable doing what we know. We settle into familiar routines, and sometimes we forget how exciting it can be to try something completely new.
So here's my question for you this Future Self Friday.
When was the last time you did something for the very first time?
Remember That Feeling?
Trying something new can bring us so much joy and satisfaction.
And sometimes a whole lot of frustration! 😂
I remember when I was a little girl, we had this old bicycle that I desperately wanted to learn to ride. My older siblings could ride, and I wanted to be just like them.
There was only one problem.
I couldn't do it!
The bike was far too big for me, but I was determined. In fact, I was so determined to LOOK like I could ride a bike that I actually walked that old thing down to my friend's house just so I could have it with me!
I suppose appearances were important even back then! 😂
But that summer, on my birthday, I woke up to the most beautiful surprise.
A brand-new red bicycle with high handlebars and a red banana seat! And not just any red seat - it had sparkles all through it!
Do you remember those bikes?
Oh, how I loved that bicycle!
And because it was actually the right size for me, by the end of the day, after a few scraped knees, I was riding it all over the place.
I can still remember that feeling of excitement and accomplishment.
I did it!
Think back to your own childhood for a moment.
Maybe it was learning to ride a bike, swimming across a pool for the first time, or finally mastering something you'd been struggling with.
Remember how wonderful that felt?
Now, when was the last time you experienced that same feeling?
Firsts Don't Have to End With Childhood
During the lockdowns a few years ago, I decided to teach myself to crochet.
Oh boy! The frustration of that! 😂
I would sit up for hours after my husband went to bed, trying to figure out how to make a magic circle.
I'd get halfway through a project, only to discover I'd done something completely wrong.
Out came all the stitches!
And sometimes, in complete frustration, I'd toss the crochet hook and yarn into a corner and declare that I was finished with crocheting forever!
Well... at least until the next time I picked it up.
But after countless mistakes, pulled-out stitches, and a whole lot of determination, I finally finished a sweater for my grandson.
And wow!
I felt like I'd conquered the world!
He still wears that sweater today, even though it's too small for him.
And every time I see it, I remember how proud I felt when I finished it.
And Then Came Another First...
This year, I wrote and published my very first novel, When Time Stood Still.
It was an idea I'd carried around for years. Something I'd thought about doing but never quite made the time to pursue.
Until I finally did.
And in September, there it was. My very own published book!
Another first.
And now?
I'm busy writing and illustrating my first children's book.
And let me tell you, this one has come with its own set of frustrations! 😂
Figuring out picture sizes, photographing my watercolour paintings, learning about printing and publishing, redoing illustrations I wasn't happy with, and navigating an entirely new world.
There have been plenty of moments when I've wondered why on earth I started this project!
After all, does the world really need another children's book?
There are millions of them out there!
But then I remind myself of something.
I'm not doing this because the world needs another children's book. I'm doing it because it's something I've dreamed of doing since I was young.
And sometimes, that's reason enough.
To try.
To learn.
To make mistakes.
To get frustrated.
And hopefully, one day, to hold that finished book in my hands and say...
I did it!
What About Your Next First?
I think sometimes, as we grow older, we convince ourselves that we're past the stage of trying new things.
Maybe we worry about failing. Maybe we think we're too old. Or perhaps we simply get comfortable with the familiar.
But what if we looked at life a little differently?
What if, instead of thinking about all the things we've already done, we started imagining all the things we haven't tried yet?
Because learning something new isn't just about mastering a skill.
It's about curiosity, determination, confidence, and discovering that we're still capable of surprising ourselves.
And isn't that a wonderful way to approach our future?
So this Future Self Friday, I have a question for you.
What's something you've always wanted to try but haven't quite had the courage to do yet?
Or perhaps you're already working on a first of your own!
I'd love to hear about it.
Because no matter how many birthdays we've celebrated, there are still new adventures waiting for us.
We're never too old to start something new! ❤️
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