How Martial Arts Shifted My Confidence
Growing up, confidence wasn't really an issue for me. I was naive, oblivious to the outside world, and a chatterbox as a kid. I was fearless in the way I spoke to people who I knew were trying to embarrass me for kicks; I was a no-nonsense kid. As I grew older and came into my teenage years, that didn't change, but things started to get to me as my hormones began to rage. Still, I was able to verbally protect myself. It wasn't until a particularly scary encounter in my twenties that shook my unwavering confidence. After that encounter, my sense of safety was damaged. Going out alone gave me so much anxiety; I was always on the alert for a potential attack. I even went as far as to start wearing baggier clothes and hiding behind ball caps—I was living in fear. And I'd always been the solo girlie—dates, trips, concerts, all by myself—but then I felt like I physically couldn't. If someone couldn't go somewhere with me, then I wouldn't go, and I did not like that.
I realized in that moment that I needed to learn how to protect myself physically.
As much as I liked the excitement and action in my favorite action movies, I wasn't ever ready to get hit. The thought of getting punched in the face was where I drew the line. "Not me! Not in MY FACE?!" was always the thought that sent my dreams of trying out a martial art packing. But the constant fear and anxiety I was living in were more important. Of course, I did some talk therapy to help me with my post-traumatic stress, but the fear was still there, even lurking in my dreams for a year.
So, I made the decision to take up boxing, and I was nervous—I wasn't trying to get hit. My worries of getting punched soon vanished when I found out that boxing or any martial art, really, is about discipline and confidence. You are building your discipline by learning to maintain your "cool" when you inevitably get a move wrong… and you will. You can't lash out at your teacher because it's all about you and moving your body the correct way. Being confident and persistent in your training makes all the difference.
Not only was boxing making me more confident in myself and my abilities, but that fear I had of going out by myself and hiding my femininity were slowly fading away as I built up my skills.
I don't think having a scary public encounter should be the catalyst for starting your martial arts journey. It's a great cardio workout, and depending on your fitness level, it will get you in shape in no time. Have you tried any martial arts?