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What's something you were good at as a kid? And how good are you at it rn?

I feel anxious whenever I listen to a piano performance.
I used to play the piano. Did it for 13 years. Never got to a professional level, but I could play quite complex pieces. For years, what pushed me to get better was the prospect of being better itself, more than how beautiful the instrument is or more artistic reasons. Like most things I did in my childhood, I did it for the pressure of being good rather than the actual motivation from how much I liked it. Long story short, I quit about a year and a half ago. I felt I started getting worse, I was lacking technique and I stopped feeling any motivation altogether, so I quit, and actually felt some relief.

Now, I feel very anxious every time I listen to someone else performing. Whether it's a friend, family member or stranger, I start sweating and I get overwhelmed by anxiety. I hate it, because now I can't even enjoy the instrument anymore. It's like I regret quitting, although I know I would have hated the alternative. It makes me feel that pressure again, of trying to be good at it again, and yet it takes away all the motivation to even try. I wonder if anyone else has felt similarly about something they used to be good at as kids.
alan20 · M
As a pianist and teacher I certainly empathise. I became a bit obsessed with the fear of a memory lapse. I'd place the score, closed, close to me as a form of confidence booster. I suppose if the worst came to the worst I could have opened it and started all over again. I was once at a recital at the Wigmore Hall in London where the young pianist had a complete meltdown. He ended up hurrying off the stage and the concert was abandoned.
PurpleHearts · 22-25, F
@alan20 That's devastating. The horror to have that happen to you during a concert.
alan20 · M
@PurpleHearts I know. I really empathised with him. To make things worse you have to pay quite a lot to stage your first recital or two, invite friends and family, and hope that some critic will turn up and give you a good review to bring you to the attention of a concert promoter. Real nervous breakdown stuff.
ABCDEF7 · M
When I was kid, I used to lie frequently, and could easily prove myself right/true. Now I hate lies, never lie myself, and always tries to understand why others are doing so.
tallpowerhouseblonde · 36-40, F
I trained in martial arts from aged ten and at 14 I passed my grading to become a karate black belt.At school I ran track,cross country and was the swimming champion by a huge margin.Pretty good at gymnastics too.
I still train in martial arts,now I have a 4th Dan karate black belt and have added Krav Maga and MMA to my training.After working out with weights I swim 80 lengths in the pool.When I was preparing for my 4th Dan grading I barefoot ran 8 miles each day.
Sleeping, suck at it now 😴
Rhode57 · 56-60, M
@Nunlover You are not wrong insomnia sucks . Always in pain , tired and feeling ill hate it . I was good at my job and honestly loved it . Cant do that either now .
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
Wasn't really good at anything as a kid except taking things apart.

And no, I didn't start putting things back together until I was at least a teenager. By then I was such a great disappointment that nobody wanted me to touch anything. It didn't stop me though. 🤣
Torsten · 36-40, M
heres hoping one day you try the piano again and just enjoy it without any pressure put on yourself

I was never really good at anything as a child. Took me till adulthood to actually find things i consider myself good at
wildbill83 · 41-45, M
Art/Drawing, mostly nature, cars, buildings, etc. since I was 5. Got pretty good at boudoir drawing/sketches in high school

all but impossible these days with nerve damage, fibro, arthritis, etc.
hunkalove · 61-69, M
I loved to run when i was a kid. When my brother, who is 10 years younger than me, was in junior high I still had the school record for the 440. Now I'm so crippled with arthritis sometimes I can barely walk.
exexec · 61-69, C
I was good at football, baseball, climbing trees, running, fishing, building models airplanes, and irritating my older sister. Now I can't run and my sister lives too far away to irritate on a regular basis.
TexChik · F
Pitching. I once was pretty good, good enough for a scholarship. But now even though I am fit I am not fit for that . I coach a few girls on pitching but I will never be that girl again
smiler2012 · 56-60
@PurpleHearts 😆making a farting noise by putting my hand in my armpit and moving my arm . not as good now but it still sounds as noisy and irritating 😆
Joshua19842022 · 36-40, M
I never did any kind of unique things as a kid I was good at hunting fishing and gaming lol now I'm older not so much 😉
AthrillatheHunt · 51-55, M
I haven’t gotten any better at surfing since I was in my mid 30’s. Now it’s just a slow decline , but I’m okay w that. Lol
AthrillatheHunt · 51-55, M
I haven’t been able to dunk a basketball since my mid to late 20’s. Every year it seems the rim gets higher and higher .
SW-User
I was fast at running but now I really doubt it, lol
alan20 · M
@SW-User I always hated sports but was a good runner. Once I was compelled by my school to take part in an event. I heard my name being called out by classmates, realised I was in front, and deliberately slowed down to make sure I didn't win.
SW-User
Lol smart 🤣

I would be butthurt if some kid was faster than me. I would keep running & training till I beat them @alan20
alan20 · M
@SW-User Competitive little so-and-so weren't you! I used to be hauled off by my mother to a piano competition in Sligo ( W.Ireland) which I always won, Chopin being my speciality. On one occasion the girl who usually came second came up and congratulated me : "My heart sank when I saw your name in the programme. I knew I couldn't win". I really felt rotten doing that to her.
I have always been the best at all sorts of Nothings.
Sustaining the standard.
SW-User
Not sure I understand your anxiety, but it's yours and you have shared it. I do regret losing some skills from way back then, but I'm stronger in other areas.

You will eventually remember what an accomplishment getting as far as you did, and it's ok if you're not as good now.
SW-User
funfan · 51-55, M
As a kid, I was good at drawing but never carried it through as they say. As for your 🎹 talents, you're young and can still be a "spider on the keys" again in the future. 👏

On a side note, it's so awesome to see you posting here again 🌞
candycane · 31-35, F
I used to roller skate awesome, now I can't even stand up lol

 
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