Not Good or Bad, Just Aware

On my climbing reading list is Arno Ilgner's, Esspresso Lessons, which I picked up last year after having an amazing clinic on falling and the Warrior's Way. I am only through the first chapter, but something that he wrote really struck me,

"When you operate from awareness, you are curious about what happened right at the moment you let go. Yes, not when you fell but when you let go... Did your body or your mind let go?"

I have noticed a lot when I climb that if I know that I am trying to work on a problem that is "out of my level" or if I get too in my head and over think the problem, it is my mind that lets go. The funny thing is that my body could probably handle the problem just fine. 

One of my friends is the same way. She is actually a really good climber for having just started only a few months ago, but gets worried, or maybe intimidated, when it comes to bouldering because of the different skill sets and the lack of a rope to help you out. I think at some point all climbers face this problem when they start pushing out of their comfort zones or start work in something new. 

So far what I have learned is that you shouldn't just brush off the fact that you are uncomfortable, but try and work your way through the problem and keep note of what you are thinking and feeling so that you can learn from it. Also, don't rate a problem as good or bad depending on if you complete it. The next time you climb be aware of how you are feeling and thinking when you are working on a problem; then determine whether or not the climb was good or bad based off of how you felt, rather than, just getting to the end.

Remember that not every problem has to be competition, 5.10 amazing, sponsor worthy--sometimes it is just nice to goof around and climb for fun. Just something to think about on your next climb :) Now go love some rocks!