“New year, new me”
Fun in the snow!
By: Ashlee Steward
"New year, new me" is a phrase we hear often when another year has come and
gone. January becomes the common platform for new year’s resolutions; including
giving up chocolate, sweets, trying to be healthier or learning a new skill!
I think new year's resolutions are a great idea to give people the motivation to do something to better
themselves. I started mine earlier than the new year as I travelled to Kazakhstan in December to try
snowboarding for the first time!
I spent my weeks prior to the trip researching ‘Top snowboarding tips for beginners’ and ‘How to turn’ on
Youtube. I read somewhere “Don’t panic. Learning to snowboard is hard but once you work it out and it
begins to click, you’ll be flying down the mountain in no time at all.” They were right! Panicking about what I
was going to do and how I looked coming down the slope was irrelevant.
My first day at the ski resort was unforgettable; the slopes were glistening with fresh powder and I felt
inspired to take the plunge down the slopes without a lesson (with full winter sports insurance cover).
Standing at the edge of the slope, with the world at my feet I spent time watching other boarders fly down
the slope; pushing their limits and facing down fear. Without a second thought I pushed myself off the snow,
mimicking the body language I had seen. With trembling legs, I gained some speed and starting to carve
through the snow.
A combination of adrenaline and satisfaction took over as I caught some speed with the cold air nipping at
my face. This awesome feeling lasted a few seconds before I rode at full speed into the snow bank. I
laughed as it felt incredible to try something new and manage to make it down the slope, turning along the
way!
That same day I was going off piste and enjoying how the powder felt beneath my board. There was
something so exhilarating about the way it glided and moved, crunching the crisp snow underneath; it was
refreshing and fun. Listening to music I would glide over the powder, sing an awfully out of tune song, fall
down, get back up and continue riding. By the end of the trip I was trying to make small jumps over and
down the mountain and I loved pushing my limits (obviously I would make these with safety at the forefront
of my mind).
I think everyone should start trusting themselves and trying new things; losing that fear and saying ‘yes’ to
trying something new. I am already missing the snow and planning my next trip! We all learn at our own
pace and have something that we would like to develop, so just try it -don’t let fear of failure or excuses
weigh you down!
If you have read this article and think you would like to learn something new - maybe not as exciting as
snowboarding - visit our website to learn more about the courses we offer. Maybe it’s time to learn more
and create a new you this year!
Let us help you meet your new year goals and improve your childcare knowledge!