Learning New Things is Scary

(image by Hydrogen copyright 2013)

I always try to embrace learning new things, but honestly it gets harder as we get older. Having just moved into a new home, there has been a steep learning curve. Now I have to figure out how a heat pump works, an induction stove and convection oven, how to maintain hot tub chemicals, and how to read gas company maps to dig a garden. These are all clearly first world problems of the highest order and I know how very lucky I am.

Thank goodness for my friend who can fix or build anything. Yesterday she read the instructions on how to sync up a generic garage door opener to the one we had. She did this in about ten minutes. It would have taken me hours of frustration. My brain is just not good with schematics. She also figured out which bolts I needed to mount my tv on the wall and she even had them in her tool kit. We had gone to the hardware store three times and spoken to a woman in Korea and a specialist tool salesman to try and figure this out, all without success. I am so lucky to have a friend like this.

It's important to accept your shortcomings and ask for help sometimes. This week my husband and I will take private lessons on hot tub maintenance and cleaning, so we don’t kill our friends by using the wrong chemicals. Apparently, there is a lot to this. Cleaning and refilling take around four hours every few months. I also have to learn to use a gas lawnmower, since I’ve only had electric. My husband is allergic to grass so this will be my job.

I am feeling nerves about all of this change.  I woke up this morning with shaky hands. I need to relax, take it one step at a time, and believe in my abilities. Have you ever had to embrace change in your life that felt a little scary? Please leave a comment below and subscribe using the button at the top of the page.