mollieclimbswalls

[mollieclimbswalls]

On today’s climb …

We came up with a new grading system.

Instead of numbers we’re now using family members. For example, ‘The Mother in Law’ is difficult to approach, takes time and patience but persistence often pays off.

‘Sister in Law’ - looks friendly from the ground but sometimes has a b*tchy side that throws you off.

‘Grandma’ - reliable and straightforward, gives you treats in the form of nice holds just when you need them.

—-

I struggle with grading systems because they should be uniformed across climbing gyms or outside but they’re not, they’re only consistent with the person who sets them really. This doesn’t help my imposter syndrome at all.

I find this a bit crackers and I know there are disciples of the different grading systems but I quite like the new family members method.

[mollieclimbswalls]

Today at the climbing wall …

Instructor: [to group] what are you main fears and worries about climbing?

Group: like heights, maybe falling, not being flexible enough

Me: that I’m too heavy for my belayer to stop me falling

Instructor: ahh (looks up and down my body, then at the tiny woman next to me) yeah, that might be a problem. In a wall it’s easy, your belayer just attaches to a sandbag and then lifts completely off the ground.

Me: what about outside?

Instructor: you’ll just have to attach yourself to a really big rock.

I can confirm this has in no way reduced my fear.

[mollieclimbswalls]

Decision paralysis every morning is my current state.

Set my alarm early so that I can get things done.

Leave the decision of what’s to be done until the morning. Then get overwhelmed by the choice of things that need doing and end up scrolling for 2 hours instead and inevitably feel guilty about not doing anything productive at all.

Meanwhile non of my family are even awake to notice and just get up and go about their day as per.

Good start to the day.

[mollieclimbswalls]

Discussion with my climbing instructor …

Instructor: I think most people who climb probably have autism or are at least on the neurodiverse spectrum

Me: Why? (internally feeling a bit seen)

Instructor: we mainly get two types of people at the wall, the ones who get obsessed about routes and figuring out puzzles. And the ones who get really into climbing, buy all the kit, and then stop when they don’t get it after a short while

—-

So here’s me with new shoes, new harness, full membership and a block of lessons - as well as loads of new podcasts/books about climbing. I think he knows which one I am and I realise that a new hyper focus is in full swing