Okay, so this might fall into the category of “boring touchy feely posts.” If it isn’t your cup of tea (or should I say diet coke?), I get it. Believe me. It’s not usually mine either. But I’m going for it anyway.
I recently pinned a quote that really struck a chord (and hence the need for a “feelings” post)…
^^There’s no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections.^^
Right now, I’m kinda sorta dealing with one of my own imperfections…that of being so terribly new to sailing. If I’m being honest, I really don’t have much of a clue when it comes to all the technical jargon and mechanical workings of our sailboat. Much less how to expertly sail. I don’t feel confident at all. If anything I feel rather incompetent. When I get asked a sailing related question, unless it’s something super basic, I turn to Jereme for help. Lately, I’ve felt like the dumb kid in class (as un-PC as that may sound). And I’m pretty sure I’ve never been “the dumb kid!” (Minus Mr. Merchant’s senior year advanced calculus class where I had a short stent in “loser row” based on my grade in the class. A few of you know what I’m talking about. 😉 )
But seriously, this whole sailing journey has really thrown me for a loop. That feeling of being such a beginner and not knowing everything…well, it totally sucks. I hate it.
Yet, we have this great blog where we are putting out our thoughts and life experiences, mostly sailing related, to the world as we embark on this sailing journey. All with the possibility of being judged, both positively and negatively, for it.
Don’t get me wrong, Jereme and I have always been very honest about our rookie sailing status. And, in reality, Jereme knows WAY more than he lets on and oftentimes way more than some of those so-called “experienced sailors.” Yet, he is always so willing and so eager to learn from others and to soak up every ounce of knowledge he can.
I, on the other hand, have never professed any desire to become a world-class sailor. It’s just not on my bucket list. Never has been. Probably never will be. You will never hear me referred to as “Kimberly Young, expert seaman.” Sounds pretty hilarious just typing those words.
Yes, I do love the water. Yes, I love sailing. Yes, I want to be knowledgeable enough to safely sail through the Bahamas and Caribbean, and hold my own on this sailing journey. But do I need or want to be the foremost sailing expert? Um, no.
What I would love is for folks to follow our story and maybe even find a slice of inspiration because of who we are as people. Real people. With as many strengths as weaknesses (okay fine, hopefully a few more strengths). Because that’s what life is all about. We’re not the world’s best sailors. We don’t have the most equipped boat around. We are living on a shoestring budget. We know we’re not perfect, and we don’t need to be. Just like our blog header says…the good, the bad, and the hilarious.
Let me tell you what’s really on my bucket list. Experiencing life, that’s what.
I want to travel and see new places. I want to live more simply. I want to learn new things.
And I want to document those experiences because that’s what I truly LOVE doing. I’m a storyteller. Documenter. Photographer. And if anyone else wants to follow along for those reasons, well then we sure are happy to have you!
As our adventure unfolds, I realize we will continue to grow leaps and bounds, and I will likely feel a helluva lot more confident in my sailing ability and technical know-how once we are full-time cruisers. But even then, I won’t know everything, and being imperfect is simply A-Okay by me.
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing and cruise the Bahamas + Caribbean.
I found your blog through your sister Susan and I have to say the reason why I love it is its authenticity. It’s so clear from how you write that while beautiful, it’s not sugarcoated. Can’t wait to follow along on your adventures.
Amy
Kim,
This is so well said. Good on ya! I am trying so hard to embrace my imperfections, not easy in a control freak. I can’t wait to continue to follow your on your journey. Your writing and pictures are a joy to read and look at.
Best,
Annie S.
Don’t sweat it, sailing is the easy part!
A couple of months from now, you will look back at this post and laugh. I have been sailing most of my life and we have owned boats for about 8-9 years now. Never had a lesson in my life. You get out there, pull on the lines, figure out what they do and before you know it your moving along at 6-7 knots having a blast. I’m sure you have read the Bumfuzzles. They sailed around the world and walked out halfway through their one and only sailing lesson.
The four hardest things about the adventure you are about to depart on are maintenance, anchoring, letting go of schedules and getting off the dock. You guys already seem to be doing a good job with maintenance. Anchoring will take time to get comfortable at so you don’t worry about the boat every time it’s out of sight (still working on that one). Let go of any notion of schedule because that will have you making bad decisions to go when the weather and sea conditions say you should stay. And the hardest of all GET OFF THE DOCK! Being the blog addict that I am I can’t tell you how many cruising dreams seem to just die in port or how many people that actually go talk about how hard it was to take that first step.
Fair winds,
Jesse
Very well said Kim! And you know what, NO ONE knows everything about sailing. Although a lot pretend they do. Make your own decisions, do what is right for you. So what if your boat isn’t loaded down with every gadget on the market?! YOU’RE LEAVING!! That’s the biggest hurdle and what really matters (so I’ve heard!). Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much Amy! 🙂 We are far from perfect around here, so it’s nice to hear that’s coming across on our blog. PS – Susan needs to blog more. hah! -Kim
Annie, thanks for the kind words about our blog. It’s definitely a labor of love. I’m totally the same in the “control” and “planning” department, so I’m trying to go with the flow and embrace this experience (even the not-so-great parts). 🙂 -Kim
Thanks for the reassuring words Jesse! I’m really hoping everything will start to sink in after we are sailing or at least living on the boat full time. I’m definitely in it for the experience for sure. Anchoring will be interesting, I’m sure (gosh I can only imagine what we’re in store for). And luckily, Jereme’s got his head wrapped around the maintenance side of things. And if we could finish up these last few items on our project list, we’d be gone! Lol! Very soon though. 😉 -Kim
Thanks Jackie!!! 🙂 Now if we could only get our solar panels shipped and a few last items finished, we’d be cutting those dock lines. SOON though!!! -Kim
Great post – there are days when I feel exactly the same way and wonder if I’ll ever get the hang of this sailing thing! Hang in there – you’ve got the right attitude and I’m sure it will all work out fine. Cheers – Ellen
I am with you on almost every account. Once thing is for sure,we will never look back and say “I wonder what would have happened if…”
You look a pro in the pic 😉