01/03/2024
The smile for the camera at 14,000 ft was completely fake. I was in terrible pain...
✈ After backpacking around Australia for 6 months, I decided that a skydive would be a great way to end my trip with a bang (pun intended!) I'd had a cold for a few days but thought nothing of it...
The flight up to the clouds in the minuscule airplane went surprisingly well. Even the jump wasn't too nerve-wracking as my trusty instructor was attached to me the whole time.
That all changed after a few seconds of free fall...
🤯 The air pressure on my already-blocked ears and sinuses was suddenly so painful that it was the only thing I could think about as I plummeted to Earth.
Views of coral reefs and golden sands were wasted on me as I prayed for my ears to not explode.
Finally, we landed on the beach and the pain went as quickly as it had arrived.
My best friend ran over with a huge smile on her face: "Wasn't that the best thing you've ever done?!"
Me: "No"
✅ Lesson no 1: Don't go skydiving with a cold.
(noted!)
✅ Lesson no 2: Smile even when you don't feel like it.
I smiled because I knew that I would always regret it if I didn't. I wanted to nail that photo for my future grandkids! The pain was so bad in the moment but I understood that the smile would be worth it in the future.
💡 Learning English, or any new skill can often feel
difficult
uncomfortable...
or even painful.
To be misunderstood at work due to a language barrier is painful.
To feel disconnected from colleagues who speak English quickly can be painful.
But you get to choose how to react:
Give in to the pain or smile through it?
The students I enjoy teaching most are not the ones who make the least mistakes or who remember things well every time; it's the ones who smile and get on with it! Their attitude towards learning is positive even when things are difficult and I just love that.
✅ Lesson no 3: Be honest about it.
I could have told my friend that the skydive was amazing but then I would have missed out on the supportive hug, her empathy, and the opportunity to be honest with myself - it was not amazing at all!
If English learning is getting you down, tell someone. One of my clients did that and her company decided to pay for her to have English classes (with me! 😊 ) When you tell others that you're struggling you empower yourself by reaching out for help and in turn allow others to also be vulnerable.
So...would I ever jump out of an aeroplane again?
Heck yes! (But only with extremely clear sinuses... 😅)
Have you ever experienced something that looked really good on the outside but was actually pretty awful? I'd love to hear about it!
