Re-evaluating My Relationship with Climbing (It’s About Time!)
So… it’s been a hot minute… Again.
Life has been absolutely crazy over the past year, and honestly, I just haven’t had the time to sit down and write about all the adventures I’ve been having. But I’ve finally accepted that life isn’t magically going to slow down, so if I want to do something, I need to make the time for it. And this blog? It’s something I really do want to start prioritising again.
But then I had that oh-so-fun moment of panic—where the hell do I even start?! Do I go back and write about every single adventure from the past year? That feels like a lot of work and, realistically, would take me forever. So, I think we’re just gonna pick up from now—or at least the last few months. If I remember a trip I really want to share, I’ll throw it in, but we’re not stressing about catching up.
For today though, first blog post back, I just want to do a little brain dump—where I’m at with climbing, adventures, and life in general.
ME & CLIMBING: IT’S COMPLICATED
Okay, so here’s the deal—I’m not climbing anywhere near as much as I used to. And yeah, that kinda sucks.
Back when I was at uni, working in a climbing centre, I had so much free time to spend at the wall. I was there for hours every single day. I miss that. I miss how strong I was. I miss how my body felt. Butttttttt working a full-time, 40+ hour-a-week big girl job (with a lot of travel) means I just don’t have the hours in the day anymore. I genuinely need like five extra hours per day to fit in everything I want to do.
So, the past six months to a year has been all about figuring out what I actually want from climbing.
For a while, I wasn’t enjoying it at all—because every time I went, I just felt weak. I couldn’t climb as hard as I used to, and I found myself constantly comparing myself to others. And let’s be real, that’s a one-way ticket to feeling crap about yourself. But I had to remind myself why I even started climbing in the first place. It was never about being the strongest or the best—I started because it was fun. I loved the problem-solving, the people, the adventure.
I’ve been working on shifting my mindset. Now, every time I start to feel frustrated, I remind myself: I’m doing this for me. For my brain. For the endorphins. For the vibes. For the adventure. And honestly? It’s starting to work. I’m not 100% there yet—it’s definitely a process—but I’m feeling better about it.
I guess what I’m trying to say (in a very long-winded way) is: if you’re not climbing as much as you used to, or you’re not as strong as you once were, don’t beat yourself up about it. Climbing is meant to be fun. It’s good for your mental health, your fitness, and your overall happiness. However much or little you can do—it still counts.
2025 GOALS: KEEP IT SIMPLE
With that in mind, setting my goals for this year was actually super easy:
• Fall back in love with climbing.
• Get outside as much as possible.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what I love most about climbing—the adventure, the fresh air, the feeling of being out in nature. So, I’m making it a priority. And honestly? I think I’m doing a pretty good job so far—I’ve been climbing outside at least five times already this year, which (considering the delightful English weather) is very impressive. I’ll share more about that soon but for now, I’m gonna wrap this up before I start rambling even more!
So tell me—what’s your relationship with climbing like right now? Are you happy with where you’re at? And what are your goals for 2025? Let’s chat in the comments!
