Are We Sailors Yet?

As Kent and I prepare for sailing in our retirement, we’re setting ourselves a significant goal: We have one decade to transform ourselves into sailors – individuals who are able to harness the wind to navigate the waters, solve unexpected problems, and adapt to the unpredictable nature of life at sea. 

We’re actively pursuing it – we joined a sailing club, we went to sailing school, we have access to a boat in the summer to sail on Lake Michigan, and we’re planning sailing vacations. (What is it – 10,000 hours to become masters? Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell)

2024 will mark our fourth year of learning to sail and today I ponder an intriguing question: “Are we sailors yet?” 

As a self-professed perfectionist, I often struggle with identifying myself with a new skill until I’ve mastered it. This pursuit of perfection, while it can drive me towards excellence, can also be a roadblock, limiting my potential and leaving me in a perpetual state of dissatisfaction.

One thing is clear: Perfectionism is not going to serve us here.

In a previous post, New Boat, New Water, New Skills, Kent recounts an incident during our second outing on Lake Michigan last summer. We experienced a “broach,” an abrupt, involuntary change in course towards the wind, due to several factors. (We were sailing in heavy winds and our sails were not trimmed properly.) The experience was a little unnerving and left me questioning my abilities.

About a week later, I gathered the courage to Google it and figure out exactly what happened. Once I had the proper terminology, I turned to YouTube. It turns out, there are lots of broach videos on YouTube! Apparently, broaches happen to both novices and seasoned sailors. (Who knew?!?)

Strangely, this brought me comfort. Not because I wanted company in my missteps, but because I realized that broaching is simply a part of sailing. It is not a mark of ineptitude, it is just a fact. If you sail in weather, a broach can happen.

“Perfectionism means that you try not to leave so much mess to clean up. But clutter and mess show us that life is being lived.”

ANNE LAMOTT

Since the incident, we’ve “gotten back in the saddle,” as they say. We returned to the boat, returned to Lake Michigan, and have had wonderful sailing experiences. We learned from our experience and are better for it.

So, to the question, “Are we sailors yet?” The answer is yes. Not because we’ve mastered skills, not because we’re immune to mistakes, but because we’re committed to learning and growing. We experienced a broach, yet we continue to sail and learn. That resilience, the decision to get back at it is what defines us as sailors. 

If you are also a frustrated perfectionist, I hope this gives you a little perspective and encouragement. If you are doing the thing, then you’re a thinger! Don’t let your self-doubt (or anyone, for that matter!) tell you otherwise. Pat yourself on the back and keep on truckin’ 👍 😊

Thanks for reading, friends. Would love to hear your comments/thoughts!