As I chose to embrace my role as an outsider in California, opting for my natural brunette hair and avoiding trendy happy hour sushi gatherings, I found myself increasingly lonely and yearning for connection. I recognized that the best way to foster a sense of community would be through group activities. However, living in a state filled with youthful, carefree twenty-somethings when I was nearing 40 left me questioning which activity I could pursue without appearing as though I were trying to recapture my youth.
On weekends, my friends would drag me to beach volleyball games, eager for me to join due to my towering height of 6 feet. Yet, despite their enthusiasm, I would smile and decline, thinking “maybe later,” which really meant “never.” My height often led others to assume I had skills in sports that favored tall players. In high school, I was even approached by coaches from small colleges, only for them to leave disappointed after seeing my lack of skill during a brief assessment of my volleyball abilities.
My perspective on the sport began to shift during my visits to the beach. While my friends played, I would often lounge on a towel, engrossed in my current book. However, I found myself captivated by the interactions on the court. Players greeted one another with warmth, as if they hadn’t seen each other in years, and their camaraderie was evident as they celebrated each other’s successes and shrugged off mistakes. The atmosphere was refreshing—a group focused on enjoyment rather than competition, exercising with the serene Pacific Ocean as their backdrop.
Motivated by this newfound appreciation, I turned to the internet and quickly discovered an adult beginner beach volleyball class at a nearby location. With excitement, I registered, hoping to finally impress my former gym teachers by spiking the ball like a pro.
On the first day of class, we gathered in a circle for introductions. To my surprise, there were only two girls enrolled, including myself. As we shared our names and experiences, I found it peculiar when the instructor asked how long we had played volleyball. It soon became clear that the men in the group had been playing for years, while the other girl sheepishly admitted to having played only four times. I promptly chose her as my partner, feeling relieved to share my novice status with someone equally inexperienced.
The instructor began with simple drills, but as I attempted to throw the ball, I felt self-conscious. The hot sand burned my feet, and I noticed patches of red forming on my skin, a result of my inadequate sunscreen application. My arms ached from repetitive movements, and I found small bruises beginning to appear. Throughout the class, I noticed myself repeatedly apologizing for my mistakes, a habit I needed to break.
By the second class, I arrived with a renewed sense of purpose. I silently affirmed to myself, “I am good enough,” each time the ball veered off course. I stood taller, projecting confidence instead of shame. This shift in mentality translated into improved performance; I hit the ball with greater power and accuracy, and with each minor success, my confidence blossomed. I stopped apologizing and even earned the instructor’s recognition—something that hadn’t happened in our first session.
As I continued to play, my appreciation for volleyball grew, and I began to carry myself with pride both on and off the court. I realized that age should not be a barrier to learning new skills, a valuable lesson as I approached my 40s.
In summary, the journey of embracing a new sport at an age close to 40 can lead to unexpected joy and community. It highlights that it’s never too late to try new things and find fulfillment in activities that may initially seem daunting.
For more insights on related topics, you may find this article on home insemination kits helpful, as well as this excellent resource for understanding pregnancy and home insemination.
Keyphrase: learning a sport at almost 40
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]