Growing up, I tried just about every activity you can think of.
Gymnastics, piano, soccer, field hockey, softball, dance, acting, singing…
Flute – for about three days.
And guitar – for one day.
If you were to ask which of those I wish I would’ve stuck with, I’d like to say dance. To me, dance requires more determination and passion than any other art form.
Unfortunately, though, my personality and dance just don’t go hand in hand.
…and, if we’re being honest here, by “personality” I mean inability to actually enjoy something so physically demanding.
So if I could go back in time, what would I really stick with?
Piano.
(sources: one, two)
I actually played the piano for nearly 14 years before quitting cold turkey. I can’t entirely say that I regret the decision because I did try to stick with it for a few years, but I hate that I put so much time into something yet only remember a lick of it.
As of a few weeks ago I decided that I want to try picking up on piano again in the future. I mean, I’m pretty sure I remember how to read music, so how hard can it be?
…Now excuse me while I file this post under “what I’ll force my child to read when they want to quit piano lessons.”
If you could go back in time, which activity/hobby would you stick with?
Eating vegetables. Oh wait, I never started that hobby.
I wish I would have stuck with dance and piano also, but I was never that great at either. I LOVE watching amazing dancers though and I’ll always wish that I had that talent.
Wait, have I ever told you that I played too? 15 years, and I haven’t touched a piano since I went to college. I hated it, but yeah, it’s sad that I spent so long learning something I barely remember! It was REQUIRED to live in my parents’ house.
definitely competitive swimming. I was a helluva swimmer but hung it up when I graduated high school. I was burnt out but I often wonder where it could’ve taken me.
I also played piano, but I really disliked it. However, I wish I had stuck with playing the flute and dancing after high school. I try to take some dance classes every once a while, but it just isn’t the same.
I wish I would of learned to play the piano :(. My mom always told me I would regret it, and know I do. lol. I wish I was still dancing too. Those were the best times!
I am really glad I ended up “choosing” synchro to stick with, but I also wish I stuck with figure skating or piano, too.
I’d stick with cheerleading! Because really…what girl didn’t want to be a cheerleader? Or Tae Kwon Do…I actually made it all the way to black belt, but that was WAY back in the day - I’d love to have kept it up so I could put a hurt on if need be!
Violin. I played for eight years then quit. I actually have a lot of activities I wish I’d stuck with though, but I could never make up my mind. I wish I had done fewer things so I could have been better at them.
Very thought provoking! I’d have loved to stick with the piano but, you know…they’re pricey!
I find myself wishing I stuck with things I found after maturity. Like yoga and learning French and Spanish.
Get your music on, girl.
OR if that still isn’t your thing…Now’s the time to find something new you want to stick with. (0:
Allison says
I wish I would have played softball in college. Although for my final year, this year, tennis became a spring sport and had I played softball, I would have had to choose between the two, so maybe its for the best, but after playing for 13 years, I miss it.
I would’ve taken up ANY activity! I didn’t have the opportunity to do any sort of sports or instruments, but if I had my pick, I would like to have done dance. That would’ve definitely helped with the flexibility issues I have now! Haha!
Stormy says
Piano! I never understood people who hated having piano lessons. . . I begged my parents for them. I only stopped because my piano teacher retired when I entered high school and growing up in a small town meant there weren’t really any other teachers. It was kind of out of my control, but I still wished I had been able to keep playing. I loved it.
I wish I stuck with rifle shooting, because I was very good at it and won some competitions! Now I can’t shoot straight
I am trying to pick something up new… the bagpipes! I am trying to be self-taught so we will see how that goes!
power cord says
I wish I would of learned to play the piano . My mom always told me I would regret it, and know I do. lol. I wish I was still dancing too. Those were the best times
SUCH a good question! i ALWAYS regret giving up dance for basketball. i was good at it too-!!! i could have been SO MUCH BETTER now and i absolutely loved it- such a release for me.. i felt amazing when i would dance.. UGH i miss it!
I tried out sooo many activities too! I really wish I had stuck with gymnastics because it was the one thing I was actually good at.
Kait says
Loved this post. I wish I would have stuck with dance, ballet in particular. I danced for 14 years, ballet, jazz, and tap at the same time for most of those years. I actually really regret stopping ballet the most, which was my least favorite (all the cool kids were doing jazz and theatre) I find myself twirling and doing jumps in my apartment from time to time (thank god I live alone). :]
I wish I stuck with gymnastics. No idea why I gave it up, actually.
I always wished I had stuck with gymnastics!
I also wish I had stuck with the piano lessons I took in fifth grade. I mean, every time I walk by a piano I wish I could sit down and play some fancy classical music. That would be such a cool talent to have!
Jen@Dear Mommy Brain... says
That’s how I was with the violin. Played all through school then hocked my violin to pay a stupid vet bill for my stupid boyfriend’s cat. But I intend to live vicariously thru my kid and make her play.
I took three paino lessons and quit. I love singing and wish I stuck with it so that I could accompany myself. Sigh…
I always wished I had taken drum lessons as a kid. I was the kind that would make beats on about everything I could hit, and still do… but not a lot of parents have the room, sound-proof-ness, patience and tolerance for loud banging and a huge drum kit.
That being said, I decided over the past year to learn the drums, and I am lucky enough to have a newer friend who is a drum instructor. I’ve gotten to start with djembe (and have accompanied a few small bands/artists) and am getting ready to start more formal lessons.
That being said, I am excited that you are going to reconnect with piano. its never too late, plus you’ll have another outlet for expression and source of joy or stress relief!
Looking back, I wish I had stuck with dance (modern, jazz) and piano. I stopped playing piano in middle school and stopped dancing my sophomore year of high school, and since then, I haven’t really developed any new hobbies/interests. At the time, I kind of dreaded my weekly dance and piano lessons, but I am really thankful to have had the opportunity and wish I didn’t forget everything I learned. Now I miss them!
I also dabbled in acting, singing, gymnastics, & softball (lasted 1 summer).