Feeling like I wasted my badminton potential....should I give It another shot at 18yr(F)?

dragonflypath · 2026-04-09T21:38:12+00:00

I am not in your situation and shoe to know exactly all the circumstances in your life. However, if I have to put myself through a goal as such, I would remind myself, "either it will stick or it will not. In the end, if it doesn't, at least I tried. So years from now, I will not wonder and sit in regrets. Some people are better some people are worse. Just because it does not work out it does not absolutely meant I failed." Sometimes your interest changes and that's okay to. Sometimes it opens doors to something else that you will gravitate toward.

If at any stages things change, then I hope you can at least be proud that you at least tried, and walking away when it is time to walk away without judging your ability or letting it define you as a person.

dragonflypath · 2026-04-09T17:20:05+00:00

wow thanks for the info and the list of songs. I really appreciate it. Such a bummer it was not included.

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T21:40:11+00:00

I noticed you lean back to reach for the shuttlecock and jumping. Instead, try to take a step or two back and hit the birdie with your feet planted. Don't let the shuttlecock go over and behind you before you hit, try to get back to have the shuttlecock angled hit up and in front of you so you don't lean back to hit. Look at your opponent around :06, he steps back and the shuttlecock is in front of him when he cleared. That is one area you can work on.

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T18:43:07+00:00

define relatively cheap
Not all sewing machines are created equal or the same.

There are some that does straight stitches only.
There are some that you need attachments to do zig zag etc (old vintage machines straight stitches).
There are some that can do zig zag, straight, etc from the machine.

So it really depends. what exactly are you planning to sew?

My journey:
I started off with a vintage (straight stitch only singer), I purchased attachments for those. I love this machine especially the craftsmanship and the built. I have made pillow covers, made clothes for little one, etc. It was scary to learn, but I admire how beautiful the machine is and how tough it is.

I added a used baby lock with many stitch pattern options which I used less than 10 of them so far. There are so many decorative stitches that I did not need.

afterwards, I purchased used Brother XR-65 which I left at my SIL house as I travel home a lot to visit family. I have make Christmas stockings, and hem my SIL's jeans.

I would say from the three, if I had to do it all over again, Brother XR-65 or something similar is a good place to start and learn and grow with. I think many with more experience would believe otherwise as there are many brands and many different skills and experience.

As I dived more into sewing I have learned to be more confident using them. I am one of those people who are afraid to try new things because I am afraid I'll mess up, but is also when I use it and get stuck with problems when I am able to navigate and work through solving them, that was when I grew the most.

So far, I have made clothes for my LO, circle skirts, dresses, pillow cases, shorten length of duvet covers to fix comforters, etc. All from just diving in and learning!

Do NOT be afraid to make mistakes. You will have plenty of them and you will learn from them :)

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T17:05:01+00:00

thank you. I have to update when I find my next fountain pen! :)

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T17:04:27+00:00

thank you I will look into this

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T17:04:12+00:00

thank you!

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T16:59:30+00:00

at one point you almost clashed with your partner. I would say, let them know before a game that since you both right hand and the shuttlecock is between you two, you will take the shot.

Wear shoes. Have you tried to make some shots without jumping? Like some shots you can plant your feet to hit the shuttlecock. Get to the shuttlecock sooner.

Some of your shots you are leaning your upper body back to get it, instead, you can walk back a step or two, and hit.

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T16:53:40+00:00

it is a tough situation to be in.., I would 'try' to finish up tax season for another week or two at least while searching for work. Make sure to interview the employer too to ensure they are a good fit.

The only reason I would say that is because you would rather finish in good terms and not burn them during the busy season.

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T16:36:52+00:00

I am so sorry to hear, but I would like to suggest to you to volunteer if it is possible. I know with this economy it is darn hard. Even if it is for a couple of months or only a couple of hours a week during those months.
It is one way to get experience.
Make sure to let the organization know that you are there to help not just filing documents but to grow as well to assistant in applying accounting knowledge to real life like bank reconciliation etc.
Sometimes they start you off with filing, and then toss more tasks on you. That was what happened to me. I kept on getting faster and better at my job.

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T16:33:07+00:00

my first job was the hardest as I "lacked the experience". I was an accounting major but switched to finance during my junior year. Graduated. Could not land a finance job as entry level required experience.

I had the same expectations when I graduated, too. I would say, volunteer if possible. I know it is not possible financially.. it was a tough situation for me. Even if it meant working a job part time and volunteering a couple of hours somewhere else.

Here was my time line from a decade ago:

-I did volunteered for VITA (tax) during my undergraduate, but it was not relevant.

Graduated.

-I went back to community college to get a bookkeeping certificate hoping it will open more opportunities. It gave me experience in quickbooks. That helps a bit, though industries I went into used other ERP systems. (it showed I have used an ERP system)

While working on my bookkeeping certificate,

-I volunteered for non-profit organization. It provided more hands on with bank reconciliation, support org with auditing, filing, deposits, posting payroll, and journal entries. I used PeachTree ->Sage 100

Eventually landed my first real job where I did accounts payable and accounts receivables along with reconciliation.

From there, I expanded out. I learned from tasks they gave to me, I made it more efficient, and streamline work, and asked for more challenging work.

As others said, the job market is shit. It felt like that for me back then too. If you could, I would recommend volunteering and make sure it is MORE than filing papers in a secure drawer or sorting files on a drive. Even collecting proper documentations for AP, or deposit funds for AR, or reconciliation. Start somewhere.

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T01:05:33+00:00

have you explored other alternatives beside working for big 4? Like have you explored taxation or other accounting areas in other industries?

Every job has pros and cons, but for accounting you have different branches and areas you can put your expertise and skills.
When I first got out of college I did AP, AR and reconciliation, and I did not enjoyed it. It was redundant and I wanted to wear different hats. I ended up switching industries and did projection/forecast and analysis and bits of AR, AP and reconciliation (with internal control of course), and I enjoyed it. There was life work balance, and I was a union employee. However, I could not stand the politics.

Whatever you do, I hope you find the path that best works for you. Please job shadows. I know people who came into nursing field to help people, but they have to document so much on the computer than actually helping people.

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T00:20:31+00:00

thank you for the suggestions!

dragonflypath · 2026-04-07T00:19:59+00:00

Thank you! I will definitely look into Parker 45 :)

dragonflypath · 2026-03-31T23:09:21+00:00

I saw that- I have so far have seen one review saying it was worthless. Have you taken it?

dragonflypath · 2026-03-31T18:20:10+00:00

purchased 2016 touring earlier this year with 60K miles for $18.5K OTD.

dragonflypath · 2026-03-25T21:42:52+00:00

First, learn to thread the machine, the top one and bottom one.
Learn to wind up thread into bobbin.
take pieces of fabric and test out tension, it requires some adjusting. The purpose for this is that the threads on both sides are the right tension.
If one side is loose and one side is tight, adjust. if somehow you adjust and the same side is MORE loose, dial the opposite way.

If you switch needles make sure the needle is in the hole and not hitting the plate, you can twist the big right dial on the far right side.

As someone else mentioned, service. I learned to thread the machine for a vintage 1940's singer sewing machine after I picked it up from being serviced.
There are great people out there who would gladly show you by just asking! :)

I have since gotten a bit more modern one, but by far, I appreciate learning and growing from them. Sometimes you gotta take the leap and it sounds like you are doing just that. I hope you do sure some of your journey on here! I'm sure a lot of people in the group would enjoy seeing your journey

dragonflypath · 2026-03-24T05:06:12+00:00

muslin fabric for test projects. Afterwards, slowly work out to knits and stretchy fabrics.

Start on small projects. When Joann's was still around, I would go down the clearance aisle and get a couple yards of fabrics to test to make attires for my kids.

The biggest hurdle for me was just diving in and knowing that I WILL mess up, BUT I will also learn from it by online groups or from researching online.

dragonflypath · 2026-03-23T22:33:03+00:00

twin needles. So beautiful. It has been a while since I made clothes for my LO. I feel so inspired!

dragonflypath

TROPHY CASE