To “intimidate” implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another. – Merriam-Webster
To me intimidation is a close second to procrastination in keeping us from trying or doing something we want to do. Even if it is something that we really enjoy, have always wanted to try, or that brings us peace.
What got me thinking about this? Well a friend of mine got a new camera for Christmas. She is busy learning all of its “bells and whistles” and is getting some great shots. I have always loved taking pictures too but lately my camera has been sitting on my table not getting used. Instead of getting out, driving around and looking for a great pic I have let that damn social media intimidate me into thinking I wasn’t a “good enough” photographer so I laid my camera down.
I have been taking pics since as long as I can remember. I was a horrible sports mom (couldn’t just sit in the stands like a normal parent) so I picked up a camera and started clicking away. Junior rodeos, basketball games, and travel photos led me to get a part-time job as a freelance writer and photographer for a local newspaper. It didn’t mean I was a professional photographer by any means but it got me by and made me happy.
Then I kept joining all these photography groups on social media that had beautiful pictures! Somewhere along the line I let all of the great photos by professional photographers intimidate me! I decided I wasn’t “good enough” and stopped. I completely forgot the fact that I took pictures for ME and it was something that made me happy.
Well that was a long way around to get to my point, sorry. We should never let anything or anyone intimidate us or keep us from learning or doing something we love!! This applies to lots of things!
Some examples:
I want to ride in the rodeo but the other girls are better riders and will make fun of me. Well screw them! Get on that horse, pull your hat down and ride. Enjoy yourself and to hell with what they think!
I want to try on those jeans but I am too big or too skinny to wear them. Nonsense! You pull those jeans on and rock them! Don’t be intimidated by stupid body image bullcrap!
I want to write or draw but everyone else is so much better than me. I am just not good enough! Pick up that pen, fire up that computer and start creating something wonderful! Write or draw from your heart, find your peace and do this for you!
I want to go back to school and take some classes or learn another language but I am just too old. Well in my opinion when we stop learning is when we die.
In other words, don’t use intimidation as an excuse to try something new! So we suck as some things, that’s life. The biggest thing is to be proud of ourselves for trying and to hell with what other people think!! Keep life interesting, do things for YOU and you just might find out that you are a pretty special person!
Stay Strong My Friends!