At the beginning of the year, I started bouldering. I got a membership and a pair of climbing shoes and I set a goal for 2023: to complete a V3. That was six months ago. And this past weekend, I finally completed my first V3.
I’m not a V3 climber by any means. I probably hover closer to a V1, edging towards a V2. The route type also plays a huge factor — I’m better at certain bouldering skills than others. But this achievement made me realise how much I improved in the last 6 months.
I’ve also been reminded of the importance of consistency. In January, going climbing diligently helped me get my first V2. It took another 5 months for me to get my first V3, but I wasn’t going consistently at all during that time. I spent more time regaining strength I’d lost, than making progress. In fact, I’ve made more progress in the last 2-3 weeks than I did in the last 5 months. And it all comes down to consistency.
I’ve also made a few other changes recently. I’ve started prioritizing sleep (an obvious strategy), and dialing back on other things. I stopped forcing myself to exercise on climbing off days. Instead, I started walking to work rather than take the subway — adding up to 50 minutes of low impact exercise each day. I stopped trying to minimize calories, and instead began opting for a protein rich diet, with a focus on whole foods.
And these changes have also helped me at work. I have more energy during the day. I have more mental clarity. I’m more productive. My life feels really balanced right now and I’m excited to continue with it.
