Starting something new as an adult—whether it’s learning a language or practicing a martial art—can feel overwhelming. Three weeks ago, despite my nerves and doubts, I took a leap and joined a beginner German class. What I didn’t expect was how much this experience would mirror my journey learning Kung Fu, teaching me valuable lessons about patience, immersion, and stepping beyond my comfort zone.
My 2.5-hour Monday classes, taught almost entirely in German, were intimidating at first—especially since the first 30 minutes covered the equivalent of 280 days of Duolingo practice! But slowly, I started to find my groove.
What’s helped most is letting go of the need to translate everything in real-time. Instead, I immerse myself in the language, even when I don’t fully understand it yet. I do my homework, give myself grace, and remind myself that learning takes time. We’re all figuring it out at our own pace.
This experience has reminded me so much of how I’ve been learning Kung Fu—and how I might have approached it differently from the start. Like with German, I used to overanalyze every movement, trying to “translate” instructions into instant understanding. But that mindset slowed me down. Now, I focus on being present in the practice, trusting that clarity will come through repetition.
It reemphasized how important it is to reinforce what I’ve learned outside of class—and to be patient with the process. Not everyone learns the same way or at the same speed, and that’s okay. That includes me.
Taking on German has reminded me that learning—whether a language or Kung Fu—isn’t about perfection, but persistence. I’ve learned to stop overthinking, to practice consistently, and to trust that understanding will come with time. Most importantly, I’ve been reminded to be kind—to myself and to others on the same path. Growth happens outside our comfort zones, and with effort and compassion, we can make surprising progress—even in intimidating spaces.
If you’re starting something new today, remember: it’s not about perfection. It’s about persistence, presence, and kindness to yourself along the way. Growth awaits just beyond the edge of your comfort zone.
NUMBERS
Pushups (modified): 8566
Situps (modified): 6095
Sparring: 66
KMs: 1181
AOKs: 1068
Blogs: 27
Mastery byu Stuart Emery: Incomplete
Relationship Mend Status: Complete
Da Mu Hsing: 227
Weapon Form: 140
Germain: 4455
Meditation: 685
Tai Chi: 953
Decluttering: 540
Yoga, Stretching, Exercise: 1080
Days of Zen: behind
