Panic was imminent

This is how it always happens in the first hour of a beginner course, when 10 people come together to practice voluntary discomfort: learning something new, learning to crochet.

Panic felt imminent as we started to create slipknots and chains and our very first single crochet stitch - the foundation of every crochet project.

I could sense the fear of ...

`Am I going to be able to do this?` `Am I the slowest?` ` Does it look as it should?` `Is someone watching me?` (Yes, I am)

Learning crochet is a humbling experience at first: fiddling with the yarn like a 2-year-old, getting the tension wrong, forcing your hook in the not-existing whole, and yarning over in all directions.

Panic was imminent, but it didn’t descend. We had some rest, detached from crocheting for 10 minutes, and changed yarn to give the brain opportunity to consolidate on different colours / fabrics. And soldiered on and we could sense the tangible change in the air soon, the `aha` moments, contended looks, and relaxed laughs.

Do you know that anxiety and feeling of excitement are two sides of the same coin? They are very closely related and they can take turns easily - an essential part of transformational learning. It might be challenging, but the rewards we reap when we get to the other side far outweigh the risks. Slipknots were made, friendships started, chains were created, phone numbers changed and we settled into the rhythm of `yarn over, pull through`.

Trying new things is scary. But it is how we evolve, how we find out what we like and don’t like.

Do you want to join a group but you don’t have anyone to go with? Go anyway - the first half an hour is going to be uncomfortable. Embrace it and you will find new friends by the end of the session.

Do you want to learn a new skill but you think you are `hopeless`? Go anyway - and challenge yourself. If you still feel hopeless after the class, blame the teacher!

Our brain is designed to be stimulated with new experiences - make your brain happy by joining something you like. Or joining something you think you might like. Or something completely alien to you - you might be surprised.

The more new things you try, the easier it gets.