Life Lessons From Climbing: How Climbing Teaches Us Patience and Simply Just Giving It A Go
Anxiety and climbing, how the Olympics showed the world how great climbing can be for our patience, wellbeing, and attitude to life.
I got really into watching the climbing at the Olympics.
Disclaimer: This might be partly to do with the fact I was in self-isolation after being contact traced and I was sulking about the fact I had to cancel a trip to the bouldering wall with my boyfriend.
Only kidding (partly); I am a huge fan of climbing, and it was great to see it get some of the recognition the sport truly deserves.
My climbing history
I’ve loved climbing since my brother Rich first introduced it to me when he became an outdoor instructor and sent me up my first slab of rock.
My only prior experience with the sport was the portable walls at fairgrounds, which I loved racing up as a child but had a meltdown about letting go at the top due to my fear of heights. Both times (not sure why my parents ever let me go up one on a second occasion) an instructor had to climb up after me and rip a crying (and probably screaming) 8-year-old Abi off the wall.
Together, my Mum and I decided we would learn how to belay (a method in which safely holds a climber in the event of them falling off or when lowering them down). After some lessons we quickly became fans of rope climbing and became keen guinea pigs to Rich’s climbing adventures.
When I went to university and couldn’t always find myself a partner for rope climbing, I adopted bouldering (a shorter route of hand holds on a shorter wall, whereby a soft mat will break your fall) and discovered that the world of climbing was so beneficial to my mental health.
I’ve discovered some climbing role models like Shauna Coxsey and been fascinated by the likes of hardcore adventure extreme climbers; like Chris Sharma, and Alex Honnold.
I wouldn’t class myself as a good climber if you’re looking at it by the grades of climbs I complete, but I’m good at showing up and giving it a go and ALWAYS enjoying it.
The Olympic debut
Climbing has been around since the 1880’s, so it’s about time it made its debut in what was a spectacular appearance at the Tokyo Olympics.
The competitive climbing contained three elements;
Speed: Speed climbing consists of a standardised route whereby climbers race to the top to achieve the quickest time.
Bouldering: Bouldering is more about balance and strength. Bouldering is a short wall with fewer hand and foot holds meaning you have to think about the placement of your body. There is no rope so if you fall you land on a padded mat.
Lead: Lead climbing is a form of rope climbing. You use the rope to clip yourself into bolts placed in the wall as you go. This is a stamina reliant 15 meter climb.
Watching professional climbers work hard at each category that were not necessarily their particular discipline really highlighted what I value most in the sport; Problem solving, trying hard, and simply showing up.
What climbing can teach us
Climbing teaches us so many new and exciting skills that our great for both our minds and bodies: The process of accessing a route and planning each move carefully, then connecting your mind to your body to complete it is one of the best mental practices (in my humble opinion).
The variations of climbing showcased in the Olympics can teach us different lessons too.
Speed: Pushing our bodies hard to keep trying and using determination to keep improving. But also making sure that we stay calm and collected so to not slip and never make it to the end.
Bouldering: The patience of problem solving, and determination shown through regathering yourself to start again to try another attempt can show the best in people. Taking step back and reassessing the problem in front of us and finding new ways to adapt and apply ourselves to it is something we can apply to everyday situations to give us a greater perspective on our own real life problems.
Lead: Due to the stamina required in the long routes, lead climbing teaches us when to take breaks. Take a moment, recollect yourself, find some energy and keep going. Don’t just plough ahead until you burn out: take time to rest.
The thing climbing has taught me the most is; the benefit of taking step back, having a break, and reassessing the problem in front of us and finding new ways to adapt and apply ourselves to it. We can apply this to everyday situations to give us a greater perspective on our own real life problems and ensure we our giving ourselves time to breath.
The rhythmic flow upon ascending a route is a feeling like no other, especially when you’ve worked hard to piece together each section of the climb and progress onto routes that continue to challenge you further.
Despite still being scared of heights (thankfully I don’t always cry coming down of the walls anymore), putting trust in my bodies abilities and testing myself by working up to pushing myself further onto more difficult moves and routes is incredibly rewarding both physically and mentally.
The heights also test my fight or flight reactions. Pushing past the feeling to opt for flight is incredibly rewarding and helps me put that into practice in areas in my life that are anxiety inducing for me.
Climbing can give an individual a whole lot of personal growth: Ultimately climbing is about pushing ourselves to try hard, but also learning strength in walking away, taking a break, and coming back to it. These are great qualities for our mental wellbeing and attitudes towards everyday life.
Where can I learn to climb?
There are over 400 indoor climbing wall centres in the UK, but go to the BMC Climbing wall finder to see which one is nearest to you.
Give your local climbing wall a go, and don’t look back -- or should I say down.
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Written by Abi Purvis
Hi! I’m Abi, and I’m a freelance copywriter who can often be found hiking, climbing, playing with my doggos, and trying (and failing) to resist eating a whole bar of chocolate whilst cosying up with a book... all of which I tend to over share on my lifestyle blog and Instagram.
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