My parents first took my brothers and I snowboarding when I was 10 years old, give or take two years. I was not good. I have consistently been not good for about a decade now.

My usual tendency is to go every few years, do a couple of runs, repeatedly fall on my face, get frustrated, and then stop. But I always go back.

In fact, snowboarding is the one thing I have been consistent in going back to.

And it has finally paid off. Just this weekend I managed multiple perfect runs down Big Bear. I even managed to get off of the lift without falling a few times! It was amazing to finally be comfortable going down the mountain.

It's taken me 10 years, but that's okay because snowboarding has taught me some important lessons along the way.

1. The only way off the mountain is down

I've crashed and fallen on my butt so many times, but I always had to get back up if I eventually wanted to finish the run. Some times runs would take 5 minutes, sometimes 20. You just have to keep getting up.

2. Keep your shoulders straight

Be steady. Look forward. Don't hesitate. Stand tall because that's how you're going to get through life (and off of the ski lift without face planting).

3. Be confident

My anxiety gets the best of me so many times. Especially when I start to pick up speed on my board. I used to just MAKE myself fall because I was so worried. This time around I didn't. I did my damnedest to stay up and to be confident that I could slow myself if I had to. And the multiple great runs I had proved how important it is to trust your own capabilities.

4. Always have the proper gear

Currently, the lower half of my face is sunburned. On one hand, I won't be needing blush for a couple of days and my cheekbones look great; on the other hand, I look like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. I forgot to bring my neck warmer/sunscreen. Y'all. Be the Boy scouts. Always be prepared.

5. Have people around you who cheer you on

I would like to take this moment to deeply thank the people working Lift 7 at Big Bear because every single time I would try to get off the lift they would be there reminding me to keep my shoulders straight and look forward. And every time I go it right, they cheered me on. It was absolutely amazing and I love them now

I'm not Chloe Kim (unfortunately), but I am someone who has spent a decade trying and failing at snowboarding and it's weirdly taught me a lot. Hopefully, it'll teach you something too.