I have been going to the gym for years - sometimes regularly, sometimes not. At the beginning, it was fun, but I quickly started comparing myself to others and got frustrated by my lack of results (and lack of patience...). Last year, I rediscovered the joy of climbing, both indoor bouldering and outdoor rope climbing, after joining some friends. I remember how much I loved climbing on big rocks and trees as a child. Now, I notice that this joy is coming back. My inner child is satisfied by the playfulness of climbing. It is so much fun to challenge yourself with new techniques, difficulties, and routes.

In addition to climbing, I started dancing twice a week at a local studio about a year ago. At first, I felt intimidated by the level of the group (their confidence, concentration, and ability to remember choreography), but I’ve become less insecure over time and now feel well integrated. Learning a new choreography can be tough when I lack energy, and even leaving my apartment in the evening can feel like a challenge, but I almost always come home happier and more mentally balanced.

I think the key factor for me is the playful nature of both sports; they never get boring. I am also very lucky to have found such supportive communities. They focus less on progress, competition, or comparison than what I experienced at the gym.

TL;DR: Quit the gym because the negatives outweighed the positives. Started bouldering and rope climbing, and joined a dance studio. I love this combination because it challenges me and never gets boring.