As a child, I was used to being a quick learner and picking up new skills with ease. I was extremely opposed to criticism. I liked to think I could do it all despite being only in elementary. Activities were split into two categories: things I were good at and things I was not good at doing. Nowadays, there's a buzzword term for this: fixed mindset.

I hated the process of struggling to do well. If I was unable to pick up the skill in at least three tries, I told myself it was not something I could do. For a long time, I avoided cooking and being in the kitchen. I couldn't even make box macaroni and cheese without my sister complaining it was terrible. There was a blaring neon sign in my mind ordering me to stay away so I would not have to deal with the frustration of struggling at a task or failing.

I could have stagnated and stayed in my fixed mindset. Instead, my mom forced me to help in the kitchen. Eventually, a chef's knife became an extension of my hand. I could multitask in the kitchen. With practice, I gradually enjoyed being in the kitchen. I tried new recipes knowing full well it could result in an inedible substance. Did it matter? No. It just meant I had to try again and do better.

Cooking is now a stress reliever for me. In retrospect, my 14-year-old self would refuse to believe that I cook for fun now. Had I avoided cooking, a previously difficult task for me, I would have missed out in learning a vital life skill and a new hobby.

However, it's easier to look back when you've mastered a skill and laugh at how much you struggled in the beginning. Everyone's been in that position. Yet continuing to pursue a hobby in which you aren't the best or good at doing requires more perseverance. For me, the hobby I put the most work into is painting. There is something soothing in brush strokes and mixing paint.

The variety of colors I could choose to create my masterpiece fight for my attention, but I have no plan when I pick colors to spread on my canvas. I break free from always knowing what to do. If I mess up, there are no repercussions other than knowing not to repeat the same mistake. I'm not the best; I still struggle to blend colors, but I'm always happy with my end result even if it's not what I imagine (which is often.)

The more I paint, the better I become, but there is no pressure to become better. I simply enjoy watching paint stain a canvas and the feel of a paintbrush in my hands. Painting taught me I don't have to be good at something to be able to enjoy it. There is pleasure in watching yourself improve over time. As a result, I've become more patient with myself when I don't understand a topic instantly when I study and more appreciative of the skills I can do easily.

I could spend my time doing any of my other hobbies. I could bike, write, or as I mentioned before, cook. I can enjoy myself doing these hobbies without worrying if I'm doing something wrong. They are all great stress relievers. Nonetheless, I choose to paint. Painting reminds me to continue to cultivate my love of learning something new. Painting makes sure I always remember to strive to do better and not be happy with just doing what I know or what's good enough. Painting allows me to make mistakes without consequences. There is no failure in painting, just happy accidents.