Some people live by this mantra. I can do hard things. Sure, they’re scary. Sure, I’m probably going to sweat profusely just thinking about tackling this thing. But within my known limitations, I most certainly will attempt it and complete it to the best of my ability.
While others live with more hesitation, that sounds hard, I would rather not attempt that. Picture Fat Amy in Pitch Perfect saying, “yeah, no, don’t sign me up for cardio.” If something SOUNDS hard, they back away slowly. Their brain repeatedly hits the RETREAT! RETREAT! button until they are of a safe distance.
Rushing headfast into things is not better than approaching it cautiously. Where the problem comes in is the line between cautious and can’t. And that can be a thin, miniscule, fine-tip-Sharpie drawn line that perhaps someone doesn’t even know they have crossed - until you look back.
Doing hard things might be tough. It might make you sweat just thinking about it. But trying them, giving them some effort and even if completion wasn’t what you hoped is still far, far better than regret. The regret of looking back and saying, “I should have tried that when I had the chance,” that will sit with you and sting a lot longer than the sweat burning in your eyes when the going got tough.
If you’re forcing us to make a blanket statement it would be You Can Do Hard Things. You can approach these things like a 7th grade running back wearing pads for the first time or you can come at it with the hesitation of a little cat who is not at all sure about coming out to play - either way, you can do them. You may not do them perfectly the first time (who among us does??) You may not do them as well as you hoped you would or you may do them so poorly you laugh at yourself the entire time (who among us hasn’t done this??) But that’s still part of the experience. That is looking back and being proud of yourself for trying and laughing as you retell the story later to your spouse or your mom. You did it. In some way, shape, or form - you didn’t back away from it. You get to go forward deciding if you want to try again or chalk it up to that was funny but not for me.
What you don’t get to do is sit in that tub of regret. And good on you for that. That’s a gross place to be.