At times, I allow my age to dictate some of my life decisions, especially when it comes to trying something that seems a bit more daring. Whether it is from external sources such as listening to one off stories or some from my own internal fears that come from my own hesitations of doing something unfamiliar.
Back when I was younger, I was more adventurous. I’d solo backpack through forests in New Zealand and Australia, embark on miles-long bike rides, scuba dive in deep reefs, go hot air ballooning—and so on. I was up for pretty much anything but as I got older, there became things I wouldn’t do and things I say I won’t try.
So when my daughter said she really needed me to go jet skiing with her at North Beach to capture content for her magazine (obviously, The Wake Edit), my initial reaction was no way. I told her to ask her friends first. It wasn’t just that I was scared; there were 20-some reasons that I thought to say no. I gave so many excuses: I’d fall off, there were too many boaters, I had no idea how to control the jet ski, I’d probably drop her camera into the lake (luckily someone else ended up doing this part), but you get the point.
Eventually, she poked holes in all my excuses and I went—with trepidation. And it was fantastic. It felt exhilarating yet peaceful, taking in the scenic view as we rode from Chicago’s North Beach to the Adler Planetarium. At times, I went slow, enjoying the quiet of the lake with the sun shining off the water, taking in the beautiful Chicago skyline. Other times, I sped up, riding the waves made by other boaters, and I felt that feeling of letting go and accomplishment doing something that I might have used to say yes to, but was now saying never. I realized I was in control. I determined the speed, the pace, the direction.
I think as we get older, we can look at things more cautiously and forget to challenge ourselves to get out of our comfort zone. We can reminisce about the crazy things we once did, forgetting that we can still be those people. And although it is ok to recognize there may be some limitations, jet skiing made me realize that I at least need to think about saying yes before I say no.