Take surfing, for example. To me, paddling in what feels like a sea of Jell-O for miles only to be pushed back by one wave is the equivalent of my personal hell. Golf? Half the time I can hit fab drives down the fairway. The other half? Well, let’s just say they don’t call me “worm burner” for nothing. And, for someone who is a really great cook, I can’t bake anything so save my life (seriously, how can anyone over the age of 6 suck at snickerdoodles?).

But this summer, instead of dodging defeat like the surf/golf/cookie coward that I am, I am going to try again. Why? Because once in a while, you’ve gotta let failure be an option. I know, I know, this goes against what they teach you in school, where it seems like everything has major consequences and, if you screw up, it will impact the. rest. of. your. Life.

But we’re not talking about bombing your bio final or flubbing in the final minutes of your field hockey championship game. This is more about breaking down all of those barriers you’ve put up around yourself because you think you just can’t do something so there’s no point in even trying.

But there is a point. And summer—with its three months of glorious freedom—is the perfect time in life to not be so perfect. I’m not suggesting you throw this-could-get-me-grounded-for-life caution to the sweet sunny breeze, but there’s nothing wrong with being bad at something once in a while.

Awful at badminton? Hey, at least you got the birdie over the net! Torched your fish tacos? A little charred, but still tasty! Ditched by your BBQ date? Whatever, that new lifeguard is 10 times hotter.

Not that accomplishment isn’t amazing (I truly get more satisfaction out of a perfect PowerPoint presentation than any normal person should), but doing something badly, just for fun, is its own art as well.

So try it and see what happens. And if anyone needs me, check the Kauai coast. Or the back nine. And try a cookie. I’m here all summer

<3 KB

by Karen the Editor | 2/1/2016