Over the past decade, I have pushed myself to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. Not to worry about being perfect at something but to enjoy the experience as is. I have recently picked up pickleball….and I am trying to embrace imperfectionism.

Lesson learned as I get older: you just need to dive in and get going. Don’t get stuck in the thought that you need to be perfect immediately. My instructor has had to remind me that I need to build the muscle memory and it won’t happen overnight. It will come over time.

This got me to ask some of my friends who have a lot of wisdom (those a with more years than me), what are their tips on diving in to something new:

• Avoid the I just don’t have time mentality – you don’t need to justify your existence by getting through some huge to-do list.

• Don’t over analyze the new task/hobby. There is a cost to information overload.

• Reject the urge to “be the best” at everything or “whole-ass” it; Shoot for 80% and enjoy it.

• Let the future be the future – there are lots of bridges we’ll cross when we get there.

• Show some self-compassion to yourself

So many people don’t ever make it to a mat or try something new because they are afraid of how they will look – the fear of being imperfect. We miss out on so much having that mentality.

Join Satsanga Yoga on your mat and remember it doesn’t have to be perfect – we are moving our bodies and calming our minds no matter if we can touch our toes or not.