RE: Relaxation Skills
I am only mediocre at Euchre – and that’s OK.
For anyone unfamiliar, Euchre is a card game played with two teams of two. It’s popular here in Michigan.
I am only OKAY at the game. This means I know the rules. I don’t forget what’s ‘trump’ and can keep score.
In my family, there are very good Euchre players. They’re fiercely competitive and think strategically about everything. I came to enjoy the game for sure – but I know I’m not that great.
In the great scheme of life, I don’t NEED to be great at everything.
I can play a game and have fun without needing to be the best.
As a teen learning the game, I understood that friends and family were happy to have me fill out a table. They weren’t judging my skill level – they just wanted to play.
Interestingly, there are some things I engage in that I DO want to be the best at and feel personally challenged when I’m not clearly better than others. I do have a competitive streak – it just doesn’t apply to everything and I’m glad for it.
I discerned something yesterday as I played Euchre for the first time in a long while. I actually RELAX more when I’m doing something I don’t care about being the best at. I’ve been chewing on that and feeling it’s an important awareness.
Are you giving yourself some time now and then to do something you’re not that great at – that you do just because you enjoy it?
Like, maybe you bake lopsided cakes and enjoy every minute of it. Don’t ever let someone’s proud perfect Pinterest-worthy cake take your joy away.
Mediocrity is a given in some areas of our lives. We can’t be great at everything.
Instead of feeling bad or avoiding activities that you’re not awesome at, you might discover too that these chill moments hold the key to rest and renewal.
Thoughts? I’d love to hear them!
I'm not sure I do have anything like that, tbh. I tend to avoid the things I am not good at. But in theory, I agree with you completely. It's totally okay to not be the best at everything, and to just do things for the fun of it.
I wonder if there’s something you can play with not being good at – for science!
It is great that you are okay with not being the best at everything. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Nobody can do everything perfectly, and I'm okay with that too.
Good to meet you Florence!
I have never heard of Euchre?
I do wholeheartedly agree with your statement "you don't have to be great at everything" – life would be super stressful if that was my goal! Cakes though? I like when they turn out great, and if they don't, i don't like people telling me "I'm sure they TASTE great." So I guess I have a competitive streak when it comes to baking.
in the athletic department however, I don't care if I am not as fast or strong as the others.
LOL! Well, SOMEONE has to make beautiful cakes! (Mine will only ever be mediocre LOL!)
I enjoyed reading this. Also, thank you for sharing the Euchre card game. 🙂
Welcome Danwil 🙂
Kelly, what a powerful theme! Especially for those of us who are really good at so many things. People expect we'll be good at everything and quick to pick up anything– like to learn a card game. You may know I'm a stress management coach/speaker. So this was a golden nugget for me: "I actually RELAX more when I’m doing something I don’t care about being the best at." Thank you!
‘People expect we’ll be good at everything’ is sooo true – I see this applied to young people a lot. We’ve got to find ways to model willingness and enjoyment of just being ‘okay’ at something 💕