The other day, I was in the car with one of my friends, and I started telling her about how, when I was younger, I had tried to learn how to play tennis. At the time, I really thought tennis could be a new hobby. But, as soon as I got there, the other kids started excluding me because I missed the ball or couldn’t hit as well as they could. 

The truth was that they had been playing for years, and I was just starting. After a few sessions of feeling judged for being a beginner, I quit. Suddenly, I lost all interest, not because I didn’t like tennis, but because I didn’t feel welcome learning it. 

My friend then told me the same thing happened to her, but with the guitar. When she told her parents she wanted to learn, her dad immediately turned it into a competition, saying she had to practice constantly and be the very best. But competition wasn’t the point for her. She wanted to play the guitar because it was both fun and challenging, not because it was a new instrument for her to master. 

That whole conversation made me think about how quickly hobbies can turn into competitions. Sometimes, it feels like if you don’t start something at age five, then you’re automatically behind everyone else and can’t enjoy it. And the older you get without already being good at something, the worse some people treat you for trying. 

In fact, I’ve experienced it recently. When I picked tennis back up and went to a free public court, some players acted like I didn’t belong simply because I wasn’t as experienced (even though I arrived first to claim a court). 

Now, not every experienced person or community is like this, but I’ve seen it very often. I’ve even noticed this behavior in peaceful hobbies, such as journaling or cooking, as well as healthy habits like working out. And social media definitely doesn’t help, since insanely talented people showing off how good they are are constantly thrown in our faces, which makes us feel dumb for even thinking about trying something new. Suddenly, hobbies feel like competitions you’re supposed to win immediately. 

Honestly, I wish I could tell my younger self (the one who quit tennis) just to keep going, even if people judge you. 

Before I Lea-ve, 

If something makes you happy or helps you grow, just do it, no matter your skill level, when you start, or how competitive the world around you tries to make it.