Monumentally dislike this advice for kids: "If you aren't going to be a top performer in an activity, drop it and move to something else." Hey, kids: find something you absolutely love and gives your life meaning and purpose but won't get you into Harvard? Quit! Disgusting.
Ugh, I literally work in HE admissions, and I do not look at this stuff. I mean the system here is different to US (so far as I can tell) and very grade-focused, but even if you're going into healthcare professions it doesn't need to take over your life.
Small town life has distinct drawbacks, but one of the advantages is that almost every kid can make the team in every sport, club, play, band, etc. It normalizes participation just because it's fun in and of itself.
Some counter programming in the form of an important piece of advice from the vaudeville world: don’t strive to be the Best, be the Only. The only one who juggles flaming paperclips while riding a seal. The only one who can play the harmonica while swimming underwater.
Not to mention that learning how to cope with being less than perfect is an important life skill. Motivation isn't about doing what comes easy, but persisting in the face of challenge. That's how we grow, develop expertise, and become better problem solvers.
I am bad at dance, my ability move to a beat is absolutely awful, tragic Being involved in dance in high school and college has added so much too my life right now, in my 30s!
That's so sad. Nothing wrong with warbling in your car or doing exercise ( most of us don't have the physical gifts of an Olympian)
Forget enjoying your childhood, the only one you’re going to get. Start developing the worries, pressure, and anxieties of adulthood now!
I am so grateful that my mum's attitude was "if you find a hobby you enjoy that won't require a second mortgage we'll make sure you can do it". I was never going to be a professional drummer, but I still had weekly drum lessons.
jesus this is awful
So much this.