The Year I Embraced Being a Beginner
I’ve often said that I love learning. What I really meant is that I love being good at new things. The thrill of excelling has always motivated me, but it’s also made me hesitant to stick with things I’m not immediately good at. This year, I’ve challenged myself to change that mindset. I’m learning to enjoy the process—the messy, sometimes frustrating journey—instead of focusing only on the finished product. There’s a certain magic in stepping outside your comfort zone. It’s in those small, steady moments of progress: day by day, week by week.
Here are some of the things I tried for the first time this year:
Knitting
Gardening
Consulting
Baking breads and cakes (from scratch)
Hosting a book club
Ballroom dancing
Visiting a state park
Flying by myself
Hosting a baby shower
There’s a unique satisfaction in creating rather than just consuming. I’ve always thought of myself as a creative person, but I used to feel discouraged by how little I had tangibly created. This year, I’ve shifted that narrative. I broadened my definition of creativity and poured more of myself into hands-on projects. I never imagined I’d learn to knit and end up gifting my friends and family with cozy scarves and ear warmers just in time for the cold weather. Or that I’d successfully manage a garden that produced juicy tomatoes, fiery jalapeños, and fragrant herbs—ingredients I later used to whip up treats for my friends and neighbors.
Hosting a book club specifically for Black women had been a dream of mine for years, but I always doubted whether I could pull it off. Would anyone show up? Would the space feel welcoming? This year, I took the leap, and it’s turned into one of my most rewarding experiences. The energy, the connections, and the joy of diving into books together have been incredible.
Looking ahead to 2025, I hope to keep this momentum going. My goal is to continue creating joyful moments, meaningful crafts, and spaces for connection in my community. It’s not always easy, and it’s rarely perfect, but the growth, fulfillment, and happiness that come from trying something new are always worth it.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned this year, it’s that you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy something. Rediscover old passions. Explore new ones. Lean into the joy of being a beginner. You might just surprise yourself.
