For the First Time…

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

I recently joined a Meetup group to find like-minded souls in my area to try new activities. But it’s hard for me to identify any specific activity to try. I am all over the place, from hobbies to my fashion sense and even music. 

For instance, I mostly listen to R&B, but I also enjoy country and even alternative rock—Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory is still one of my favorite albums (RIP Chester Bennington). My primary passions are travel and food, but I also read, write, run, hike, and bike. I also joined a group to find a golfing buddy. On the other extreme, when I’m not doing those things, I’m a serious couch potato.

Diving in Grand Cayman

 A few years ago, I did something for the first time that I said I’d never do (“never say never” holds true): scuba diving. That’s pretty extreme for me, as I had a fear of big water, and still do. Yet all fear disappears when I submerge...the beauty and peace make the daunting task of getting there worth it. I was originally certified in Phi Phi islands and I'm now advanced open water certified, which I accomplished in Saba.

Last year, I completed the Silver Comet Trail Half Marathon, my first race and first half marathon. Earlier this year I tried sky yoga—yes, that is a thing, and it is great!

Sky Yoga

I also went camping for the first time this year; not the pull up to a site and pitch a tent version, but full on 35lb pack, 5-mile hike up a mountain to a camp site type camping. What an experience!

One of my garden boxes

For my latest “first-time” thing, I started an urban garden on my balcony. Again, this is a challenge because my thumb is figuratively (and literally) brown. I’ve tried to keep plants before and somehow managed to kill those that people said were indestructible. I shared my desire to start a garden with a horticulturist I sat next to at a Meetup group event, and she helped me hatch a plan. Don’t fear for my garden; she is committed to helping me succeed. I started small: three planter boxes containing a few varieties of tomatoes and herbs and ground cherries. 

Sometime in the next couple of years, I plan to try surfing. And I'd love to plan a entire trip around Dinner in the Sky.

So ask yourself, when was the last time you did something for the first time?