Stream of Consciousness — 4.

I’m a (very amateur) Weightlifter (the one they do in the Olympics). Most of my week is spent throwing around a barbell and weights and trying to get incrementally better at doing so. I’ve spoken to a few of my friends and fellw lifters about the weird world we live in where, all things considered, we kind of do the same thing day in and day out. And we somehow enjoy it. For years.

During one of my many doom scrolling moments I came across a lifter’s instagram post where they pointed out in their caption how much they enjoyed doing these movements day in and day out, and even enjoyed when they failed doing the exercise (known as a “miss”). Their caption simply said “weightlifter’s are a unique breed — it takes a special kind of mind to love this shit”.

That’s pretty on the mark. And I think it’s on the mark for other skills, tasks, or callings. The ability to embrace the monotony of doing it day in and day out, and come to enjoy that process.

I dare say that it’s an integral part of becoming excellent in any one thing. The ability to do it over, and over, and over again and enjoy that specific experience. For months. Years. Decades.

It’s an honour to be a part of it. And a blessing to have found it for myself.