Embracing the Beginner's Mindset

As we're approaching the end of Q3 and heading into Q4 of the year, I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a beginner at something. Whether you're toughing it out on cringe mountain or just looking to try something new, it's important to remember that we all start somewhere.

Climbing Cringe Mountain

There’s a metaphor going around TikTok that even ”the greats” or celebrities had to climb what's referred to as "cringe mountain". This cringe mountain takes you from being so cringeworthy or awkward at something to ultimately being good at it. First off, it's just hard to start some thing new. Especially if your first thought is "wow, everyone’s gonna look at me and think that it’s so cringe that I'm starting a blog." It’s part of the process and for the record not everyone thinks that. And on the other hand it’s ok if they do. I look at old TikToks I’ve made and wince a little...

Learning New Things

Over the past couple months I’ve had the opportunity to try a bunch of new things. Despite living in LA since early 2020 these past few months have been the most I’ve explored the greater LA area. Granted there was the height of Covid… but still. Things I have tried but are not limited to: joining a startup accelerator to make my own company, taking social media content for a car company, getting signed as a background actor, having a photo shoot in a park, dancing with a chair, and learning guitar. Of all the things I’ve tried recently instead of thinking about the things I’ve tried that have “failed", I’ve been looking at it as "wow look at all the seeds I’ve planted that could one day come into fruition later."

Me Vs The Guitar

One of the things I‘ve mentally struggled with the most was picking up guitar. I spent seven years studying the viola. Seven years! That includes orchestras, private lessons, auditioned groups, summer camps … all to more or less suck at the guitar. It hurt because my brain felt like I was starting over when in actuality you don’t completely start from scratch when you switch instruments. You still know what notes are and how to read sheet music, it’s just different. A little clip of my struggle attempt back in August learning Lover by Taylor Swift.

But Wait I Need More Research

Another trap I'll fall for is the fallacy that if I learn one more bit of info then I’ll know what to do. I’m guilty of the “if I can just read one more thing then I’ll get it." You learn so much more by actually doing the thing. Honestly, if I read too much about something I’ll talk myself out of it doing. I’ll catch myself watching TikToks or YouTube guitar lessons. It feels kind like I’m studying or like I’m practicing, but I'm not. Eventually you’re gonna need to go do it. PLEASE PLEASE just try to stick the landing when you do!