learning the guitar sucks

Learning the guitar sucks.

Growing up, I had an abundance of interests. Within my five years of high school, I switched my career path so many times that I lost count.

I was the student in the orchestra and drama group, while being a girl guide (for about a year until I dropped out), a ranger and a prefect. Meanwhile, my dreams of being a pianist and an athlete remained out of reach due to my academic responsibilities.

All this to say, I tried my hardest to be a jack of all trades. But the reality was—and still is—that with the novelty of each trade, came the painful reminder that I’d actually have to contribute a significant portion of my time and sometimes money, in order to be decent or even good.

Flash forward to the present, and that doer spirit still hasn’t died.

In true neophile fashion, I’ve tried kickboxing, the ukulele, crocheting and loc’ing my hair. And here I am, having mastered none of those things. Maybe I’m not cut out to be a jack of all trades, or once again, I’ve realized the cost of learning to proficiency.

A lack of patience and a propensity for perfectionism results in unfulfilled potential.

That’s where the guitar comes in—a big jump from the ukulele, but bear with me. Although I have yet to find a rhythm of practice, I’ve been fairly consistent with this one. Tucked away in my room, I pluck incessantly at the sturdy metal strings until something decent echoes from my amp. It’s a work in progress, to say the least.

But that’s all you need, progress.

It’s so easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing—the latest online prodigy and the person half your age with millions of fans all seem to have something you don’t—and maybe they do. But just like them, you need to know your why.

Do you want to become one of the greatest artists of your generation? Or do you just want to decorate your room with pretty sunset paintings?

Regardless of how big or small your why may seem, all that matters is its meaning to you.

So I probably won’t be dubbed the female Jimi Hendrix in my lifetime, but I’d love to be able to have a jam session with my favourite drummer.

And I’m encouraging you, even for a while, to allow yourself to suck at that thing that you actually enjoy doing, rejecting the pressure to be perfect.

You just might surprise yourself.

<3