You don't know what you're capable of until you try

I heard those exact words coming out of the mouth of Henry Winkler (The Fonz) this morning on breakfast TV whilst getting ready for work.

It struck a chord and resonated with me in so, so, many ways.

2023 was the year that I went, ‘I’m going to give that a crack, what’s the worst thing that can happen?’.

Not everyone got behind me, in fact quite a few people were quick to point out that 52 was probably a bit late to be learning to surf and ride a motorbike. ‘There are some things better left alone’ I was told. I now surf weekly and can’t imagine a life without it. (I also bought a campervan called SnowDaisy but that’s a whole other story.) Riding a motorbike in the Queensland sunshine, however, is going to be a winter sport for me.

Then I went and did something that completely terrified me. I performed standup comedy at the Sit Down Comedy Club in Paddington (yes... the irony!). Still wanting to push myself further, I took part in a documentary on relationships set to air later this year on Channel 9.

What was the point of all of this. What did it teach me?

1. I can do absolutely anything that I set my mind to. As an adult I had forgotten this. For everyone who told me I shouldn’t or couldn’t, I had another 10 saying how proud they were of me or how brave I was. I was nervous, terrified, and thought I would possibly make a fool of myself. However, the penny finally dropped, I am not that voice inside my head (you know the one Mel Kettle – Gertrude).
2. Stop overthinking, just let go and throw yourself in. Ever tried to control the surf… it’s different every single time you step into the water. All you can do is enter with an open mind, read the waves, watch those around you and be patient. Eventually you will catch a wave. I now apply this to my work and my personal life.
3. Nature brings us so much joy. I’m not a morning person, but boy if I know I’m surfing in the morning I’m bounding out of bed to watch the sun rise, to smell the ocean and to feel the cool salt water on my skin. We have forgotten the simple pleasures. Being in nature grounds you. I make sure I enjoy it daily.
4. I needed to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I wasn’t growing as a human and to be honest, knew that I wasn’t living my life to the fullest. You try standing up in front of 200 people for 8 mins and see how funny you are. It took uncomfortable to a whole other level. I think I had an out of body experience. I had to let go and trust the process.
5. I know who I am. The weirdest thing has been happening in the past couple of months. Friends who I admire, respect and let’s be honest I’m a little envious of their life, have told me that they are envious of my life. I’m a single mother of 3 who runs a small business... say what? They have seen me carve out a life that makes me happy. It might not be conventional; it can be challenging, but it’s mine and I love it. Too many people don’t know who they are, what they like and more importantly what they don’t like.
6. Do what makes you happy. I’m a people pleaser so this was a tough lesson for me. I’m more conscious of where and who I invest my energy in. I’ve always worked at 110% and then struggled to invest in myself. My energy levels went up a whole other level. Whether I’m at work, with friends, spending time with my family, I am so much more grateful for what I have. My world has completely expanded.
7. It’s not perfect, but it’s ok. Life is not perfect, so why was I trying to make everything around me perfect. My surfing is far from perfect. Some days I’m better than others. It doesn’t matter. I’m still learning, putting myself out there and having fun doing it.

My journey has just started. So, do you know what you’re truly capable of?

Credits: Thrive, Sitdown Comedy Club, Ageless/Channel 9, my kids for only mocking me some of the time, my team for always supporting me and listening to my adventures, and my friends for believing in me, probably way earlier than I believed in myself.