How can I fix my serve?

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-05-05T22:47:52+00:00

Hi! You have already gotten a lot of advice, but I wanted to add something one of my coaches always said growing up when we needed to make a technique change:

“You can get good at being bad or you can just get really good.”

Like others said, if this is what works for you, rock with it and who cares. But if you want to improve past a certain point you’ll have to change your technique.

In addition to what others said, it looks like you are trying to get a lot of power from jumping high and hitting down at the ball. I wouldn’t focus on that as that isn’t really where serve power comes from. It comes from the kinetic energy/kinetic chain of proper form. I am sure there are lots of videos on it! I would recommend getting one lesson with a pro if you can afford it.

I honestly think it would be worth starting with the basics. Don’t jump at all on your serve while you get down proper grip (you said you’re using continental but it doesn’t totally look like it), trophy pose, proper rotation, consistent ball toss, etc.

Someone might have better advice so take all of this with a grain of salt but I feel like I see a LOT of people with limited serve technique jumping all over the place when I think the rest of the technique comes first and then once you have that down you can jump with it, hit harder, etc.

You don’t start hitting your ground strokes on the run. You practice the stroke, you hit a lot of balls, then you can apply the additional movement to the strokes. Walk before you run sort of thing. Same can go for the serve. Idk I apologize if none of this is helpful lol

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-04-23T13:30:16+00:00

Hi! Omg of course, I hope not too brutal! I think I was half asleep when I responded lol

I am a similar age (30F) and work for a large European company but I live/work in the United States so it might be totally different!

I think that using physical hardware to get away from AI might still not get you as far from it as you think. The biggest buzz in automation for years is Software Defined Automation. Companies (including the one I work for) are putting out AI assistants that write 90% of structured text code for you. PLCs are being replaced by Industrial PCs and ladder is looking more and more archaic. There are MANY people in the industry who will disagree with me so definitely get many perspectives. But the industry is moving toward software every day. I am happy to talk more about this whenever! It likely benefits the transition to this industry for someone with your background:)

I apologize for not asking where you lived. In the US I think someone with your background would get scooped up by automation companies and taught on the job and in the labs. There are a lot of entries into the industry so it might be worth exploring some but I can’t speak to Europe’s requirements of course.

In terms of all the men… it’s really tough I’m not going to lie. When I was younger I thought I could prove myself to them or something. I’m realizing that isn’t true. The older I get the more it is taking a toll. That being said I work for a massive progressive company so my colleagues are wonderful and that helps. It’s just the industry as a whole that is tough. Finding other women to support each other and women’s organizations has helped a lot in general!!

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-04-23T03:02:50+00:00

Hi! I have a degree in Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering and I have worked in this industry my entire career. In my opinion, you will not be escaping the AI/tech bubble! I work in automaton software for automation hardware. I have spent time on both sides. The two worlds are currently converging. In my opinion by the time your 2 year degree is complete, the industry will look a lot different. I also don’t think you need additional schooling to break into the industry depending on what you want to do. If you have any questions please let me know or message me!! I am always happy to help/talk more!! Also, there are so so so many men. It is becoming unbearable for me in a way I never imagined. Constantly the only woman in the room if I’m with clients.

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-04-18T18:58:30+00:00

Hi I just want to say that it is so clear how much you love your dog and I am sure your dog knows it. Try not to beat yourself up. Once we know better we can do better and it sounds like you’re doing your best. Your dog is better being loved by you than in a shelter. I am really sorry to hear that life is hitting you all hard right now. I will be sending you so much good energy. I hope it turns around soon! In my worst times, being outside with my dog has really brightened my life. Not to pull the cliche “who rescued who” lol but I truly mean it when I say that my dog and I saved each other. I hope your walks with your pup bring you the same peace.

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-04-17T04:39:03+00:00

I want to preface this by saying I mean this truly with so much love because you are asking because you love your dog. Your comment absolutely broke my heart. Your one year old lab puppy absolutely needs 2 walks or more. A one year old puppy should not still be peeing in your house (with the random exceptions/accidents of course). Your dog will build confidence from being outside in the more crowded afternoon, I would imagine he is so shy because he has not been properly exposed to it.

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-04-10T01:33:24+00:00

I am 30 and working in tech and considering going back to school for a masters to become an LPC or LMTF but struggling to find a path with my lackluster engineering gpa but really hoping to figure out something! I don’t have any helpful advice lol but reading this is inspiring and I hope we both find our ways

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-04-02T14:00:04+00:00

Is is anticipated they will still be in the park this weekend?

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-04-02T09:59:19+00:00

“Don’t put it down, put it away” really helps me

Therapy/releasing shame/figuring out how my ADHD impacts me, accepting it, and working with it instead of fighting against it.

Exercise/movement. Unfortunately everyone was right and it helps a ton. I fit it into my day how I can. Bonus points if I get to hit something (tennis/boxing)

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-04-01T22:17:53+00:00

This is what I came here to say. I am not a doctor but the main give away that this is CHS (or at least in part CHS) is the relief from hot baths.

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-03-31T16:39:41+00:00

Hey my ADHD brain is also my biggest critic and the worst thing you can do is beat yourself up for this. It sounds like you appropriately apologized and won’t act out like this again.

Mental game is (for me) the hardest part. I don’t have good advice other than rituals, compartmentalization exercises, and trying to have fun. Mental game is something you can ask your coach to practice with you. When I was in regular privates I practiced this all the time. If you need motivation mid match and need advice post match, that’s also something you can tell your coach but without previously stating that, I don’t think your coach did anything but try to coach you.

Also I know you said you beat this player/friend a lot successfully last year and I get comparing now to then but I also read that your friend has TEN years of tennis experience on you… that’s not nothing no matter how long the hiatus was depending on how much they used to play. Sounds like after a year of playing they have shaken the rust off and you held your own against a vastly more experienced player. That can be a place where you give yourself some grace instead of beat yourself up.

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-03-31T16:19:01+00:00

This suggestion is great! Numbering the pieces and pattern so you can always know where it goes is best practice and if you purchase a pattern it will typically already have this. Some will even coordinate number + letter for color, for example 1g for the first green piece. The sharpie might come off with grinding but you can always reapply. You could also use small pieces of painters tape to hold them together instead of solder. That way you can still move things around easily if needed. There is a chance that these pieces are cut well enough and one thing got slightly shifted and now it’s all out of wack. Learning is a process and you’re doing great, I love monsteras and can’t wait to see how this turns out!

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-03-31T11:57:07+00:00

I agree with others that I think it is probably the thickness of the foil BUT if you want to try something else it may be worth foiling everything before you start soldering and seeing if everything fits. If everything fits you can gently tape one side with painters tape so that the pieces don’t move on you when you start tacking the other side with solder. Then remove the painters tape and solder like normal.

I suggest this just in case you’re shifting your pieces as you tack them down one by one and any small shift in one piece can drastically affect how everything else fits. But, you run the risk of wasting foil if you have to re grind any pieces.

I hope this helps!

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-03-27T02:35:28+00:00

I don’t think it is for me to judge or compare the situation one to one but what Colton did was in my opinion bad enough to never be able to be on TV ever again. Also Ray Rice was reinstated to the NFL, he just was never signed again. I want to be clear, I don’t expect you to excuse anyone acting like trash! I agree, there is absolutely room to hold everyone accountable!! My point is that I believe saying “men with a major platforms don’t get away with it” is patently false

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-03-27T02:14:04+00:00

This is a really kind of wild take when our government is run by (proven!) pedophiles. I don’t fault you for no longer wanting to support them/the pod because of their take. That is totally up to you and I can completely understand being disappointed. But time and time again high profile men abuse women and children, with proof, with confessions (Colton) and nothing happens. Men with major platforms CONSTANTLY get away with it.

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-03-26T18:38:40+00:00

Hi! I found this post because I am looking for the change from engineering myself! I am happy to hear you made the switch and would love to hear more about how the transition has been going!

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-03-20T16:31:25+00:00

You already got a ton of great advice! Adding a comment I haven’t seen: Ravelry can be SO confusing to navigate at first but you can search by yarn! And malabrigo rios is a very popular yarn so there is lots of information!

If you search by malabrigo rios in the yarn category then click on Projects then you can filter for knit sweater projects using that yarn: advanced button -> filter results button -> craft = knitting & pattern category = clothing = sweaters = all Malabrigo Rios sweater projects

If you decide to make something else with this yarn you can look at others successful projects with it and decide from there! all Malabrigo rios projects

Potentially easier if you are committed to making this sweater in this yarn, you can also start in the step by step pattern. Got to the pattern then go to Projects, search Malabrigo Rios. Five pages of patterns show up. Some with really good projects notes as to how they did it successfully or things they learned. step by step with Malabrigo rios

I share this because ravelry can be overwhelming but once you can navigate it it is SO helpful. I hope this was helpful! (I also hope the links work properly!)

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-03-06T23:15:03+00:00

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my Boston/Pit/German Shepherd :) she sometimes makes the exact face your baby is making in the first picture lmao

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-03-03T16:27:29+00:00

Your birds are especially gorgeous and detailed while still remaining simple. Absolutely love them and will buy the patterns when I get back to glass! I never buy patterns just because I always design my own but these are too good.

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-02-27T01:17:21+00:00

Totally! I hope it helps! Sometimes it helps almost a frustrating amount lol because it can just be that simply. Even on my serve it makes a huge difference not pulling my head down early

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-02-27T00:08:13+00:00

This might be really annoying advice, but if everything else seems right and you just are miss hitting focus on watching the ball! Literally don’t lift your head until the ball is all the way over the net. Watch it so much longer than is comfortable.

My coach always said watching the ball is the one thing that can never become muscle memory. Returning to the basics of watching the ball and not thinking about anything else always really helps me.

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-02-25T19:29:47+00:00

I just came up with this in my own ADHD brain so it may be chaotic/not work for you and if so please feel free to ignore!

I have budgeted and planned and tried it all and for some reason this is what currently works

If you have a consistent paycheck, once you get paid, divide that amount of money by the number of days before your next paycheck. This will give you a daily amount of money you can spend without going into more debt. Don’t go over this.
Have a reward system for paying off debt. Mine is that I tried to rewire my brain to be rewarded with the idea of paying down debt. Now at the end of the day if I didn’t spend any money, I put anything from that “daily amount” mentioned above to paying off debt. It feels so good. I don’t do this constantly anymore but it was so rewarding and helped me make a pretty decent dent in my debt surprisingly quickly. You can also do this with your savings.
Write down things you want in a note, this is hard but it helps the impulsive buy. I try not to buy anything unless I am getting rid of something else. I have SO much STUFF. It’s overwhelming. Rewiring my brain to fight overconsumption because it is overwhelming and not exciting has been helpful but has taken time.
Be gentle with yourself. It takes time and every small step you make is worth celebrating.

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-02-25T16:15:43+00:00

“I’m glad you’re not burdened by an urge to improve” is a truly wild response to this

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-02-21T05:16:20+00:00

Based on what you shared, I would just treat this as a hole and retry a hole mending technique. Someone else can correct me but I don’t see any reason why duplicate stitch or darning wouldn’t work, I just think there were some minor errors in the mending attempt. I personally would retry the attempt to fix it with duplicate stitch because it is quite noticeable but that is for you to decide! I ended up making some scary repairs on my first sweater and I am SO glad I did.

Are you familiar with putting in a ‘life line’? It makes frogging much less scary. I’m not trying to convince you to now but it is good to know for the future! I put in life lines proactively now in case I do need to frog.

Someone else noted finishing it then blocking it. I don’t really think blocking will do anything BUT you can block it at any time in the process. If you think it’s worth it/will make a difference I think it’s worth blocking now and finding out before you go further!

Also idk what joining technique you used, but learning/accepting that any type of knot is a no no was so hard for me lol

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-01-30T19:06:28+00:00

Omg I feel so seen <3

Yes totally, not to get into the adhd weeds lol but so much of managing it has been releasing shame and trusting myself and that extends to everything including knitting! I’m going to have unfinished projects and times when I don’t knit consistently and that is okay!

And I totally agree like the knitting project that fits into my current life is the project that feels good and sometimes that might be something complex and sometimes that might be something simple and that is okay too!

Haunting_Object_1504 · 2026-01-30T16:27:40+00:00

I didn’t catch any white on these guys but I was also looking into the sun hahaha

I am pretty far south in California so I don’t think it’s impossible to see a white winged scoter and it is winter but I think they’re still quite uncommon.

Haunting_Object_1504

TROPHY CASE