this post was submitted on 09 Jan 2024
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Just in case anyone needs to hear it: You can absolutely start things in your 30's and still feel fulfilled by them, even if there's some 16 year old who is better at them. Do them for you, and don't compare yourself to others.
(Also maybe don't make combat sports your thing if you're prone to that)
My friend's father started karate in his 60s and has been going for years now!
That's rad-- For sure there are 16 year olds who can kick his ass, but who cares!
There were 16 year olds who could kick his ass before he started too.
And tbh I’d generally just assume a random 16 year old can kick a random 60 year old’s ass. Growing old is a blessing and a curse
Let's take the NHL for example. These are people at the top of their game. Then a few times in a decade, a 16-17 years old come in and is already better than the vast majority of all the NHL players.
In the chess world, some 8-9 years old beat some GrandMasters. Imagine being an old fart that studied hard to get the GM title, get obliterated by a kid.
It happens all the time.
Let's transpose that to a new activity you've never done before, while that young kid has done it for a year a more already. For sure, you will get your ass handed to you, unless you are a natural talent of your generation.
I guess that rant is about this: if it's not your livelihood, then who cares as long as you enjoy the activity and don't hurt anyone (on purpose in case of contact/fighting sports)
Totally. There's loooots of room in any activity to become great at it at any stage in life, without being anywhere near world-class. Or be terrible at it and still have fun. That's also good.
Or do compare yourself to others and use that as motivation to get better. I started HEMA a few months ago and still suck at it, but training and sparring with people that are way better than me is what is giving me purpose as I keep thinking "Wow I can't wait to get as good as them!"
I tend to compare to myself from a x months ago or whatever.
As long as I'm improving I'm happy.
You can't start something and expect to be better than people who've been doing it for years. That's legit stupid.
Yeah, for sure there are healthy ways to compare yourself to others. Maybe a better way to put it is don't let your self-worth or satisfaction be affected by comparison to others.
Less pithy though, lol.
I started running last year. I'm 33. Just ran my first half marathon in November. I feel better and more capable than I ever did in my 20's. It's never too late.
That's awesome! And like... 33 isn't really that old to be starting something new anyway, lol. Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that everybody peaks in their 20's, but that is silly.