Try The Thing (Even If You’re Anxious and Don’t Have the Socks)

I turned 34 last month. Pause for shocked gasping. In the spirit of getting older and wiser, I had a revelation: it was time to finally do the thing I’d been putting off. For me, that thing was Pilates.

Reformer Pilates, to be exact.

The Build-Up

I’d seen the trend on TikTok. Graceful goddesses gliding around on Pilates beds, their workouts perfectly synced with lo-fi music and glowing skin. I’d think, “Maybe that could be me.” And then—cue the excuses.

I didn’t have the right socks. The moves looked intimidating. What if I fell off the machine? What if I was the only one who didn’t know what I was doing?

But Then I Did It

With a week to go before turning 34, I finally gave in. A little bubble of motivation rose up, I booked the class, and I went.

And I loved it.

I was nervous, sure. I had no matching gear, I didn’t understand what “reformer” even meant, and I was worried I’d missed the cancellation window. But I went anyway. And it was so worth it.

The hardest part wasn’t the workout. It was showing up.

The Post-Class Revelation

No one judged me. Everyone was too busy focusing on their own workout. I didn’t need the kit. I didn’t need the knowledge. I just needed to try.

That adrenaline rush afterward? It made me grateful I didn’t listen to my inner critic and back out.

Four Quick Lessons for Doing the Thing

1. Do it anxious.

Don’t wait until you’re ready. You’ll wait forever. You don’t need to feel totally confident—you just need to begin.

2. Do it without the gear.

Skip the matchy-matchy bottle and socks. Wear what you’ve got. Nobody’s looking anyway.

3. Do it alone.

You don’t need a plus-one. There’s something really empowering about showing up solo. It’s your time.

4. Do it once.

That’s all. Just once. You’re not committing to a new lifestyle—just trying something new. And who knows? You might surprise yourself.

Go On—Try the Thing

It might be the gym. Or pottery. Or that new class you’ve been eyeing up for six months. It might be something that scares you a little—or a lot. That’s okay.

Because the worst that can happen? You’ll go once and never go again.

But the best? You’ll discover something that makes you feel brave. And that makes the whole thing worth it.

So go on. Try the thing. You never know what you’ll find on the other side.

#TryTheThing #JordanArnoldColumn #LocalWomenMagazine #DoItAnyway