Everyone's got at least one thing they swear they're terrible at. Mine was anything kitchen related... Cooking, baking, you name it! I've just never liked it because I wasn't good at it, but if I'm really honest, it's just because I had never gotten the chance to truly try.
When I was younger my stepmom had both my sister and I pick one day a week where we had to make dinner. Every time it was my day to cook I'd feel anxious about how it was all going to work out. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I like knowing exactly what I need and how I need to do it in order for it to be successful. But unfortunately, I was never taught how to cook... So when I would try and fail I would chalk it up to me not being able to do it instead of just saying "I just need a little bit of practice".
Then I began to notice that for every party or function my little sister would be asked to make something, but not me. Now I will say that it never offended me, but it did add to this false narrative in my head that I just wasn't cut out for it.
I wish I could say that this all changed once I got married, but it didn't. I still stuck to my story and every time I'd put dinner in front of my husband I would say something along the lines of "Sorry, I tried my best..." but truthfully, I didn't.
I guess you could say that I did try, but only up to the capacity that I thought I was capable of. But never more.
Recently, my husband and I were talking about how we were so bored with the same old meals for dinner. So he then suggested that I try some new recipes out on Pinterest. At first I wanted to shut down that idea because I was afraid of the pressure. I didn't want the feeling of impending failure constantly resting on my shoulders, but I had to remind myself that I was the only one to put such high expectations on myself. No one else. Once that kind of sank in I decided what the heck! I'm going to try!
Of course in total 'Ashleigh fashion' if I was going to commit then I was going to go all out!
I scrolled through Pinterest, saved all of the meal ideas I thought looked yummy, purchased a meal plan PDF and started creating my weekly meal plans.
Then I drove to the store, picked up all the ingredients I needed and then I was ready to start!
That first meal turned out amazing! I was so shocked and proud of myself! Even my husband said, "See, you can cook!". What a sweet relief! It's now been a whole month of planning out my meals and trying out new recipes and all I can say is that I LOVE it! I've even picked up baking and I must say that I enjoy that even more. If I didn't give this another chance I wouldn't have known that I could make such amazing meals.
And that got me thinking...
What else have I neglected to try simply because I thought I wouldn't be good enough?
OR
How many times have other people been praised for something they excelled at so I didn't bother trying?
This new realisation has got my mind wondering and reliving every decision I've made to NOT do something in my life, and as it turns out I was right! I have totally robbed myself of many joys by simply telling myself the lie that I'm just not good at it. How sad?
What are the things you don't do because of the lies you tell yourself?
I challenge you to discover one thing that you neglected to do because of the lies you've told yourself and just go and do it? Can I promise you'll be great at it on the first go? No, I can't... BUT don't rob yourself of the privilege of trying.
Who knows? You might just discover a new passion!