It's Just Like Riding a Bike! 🚴♀️
The oft-forgotten ingredient to success.
Hello and happy Wednesday, my Dearest Twenty-Somethings! I hope everyone enjoyed the dazzling and meme-worthy looks of the Met Gala alike. This week, I want to talk about a simile I’ve been thinking a lot about lately—you know I love a good literary device. The phrase in question? It’s just like riding a bike! Let’s unpack and digest a little bit.
When you describe something as “just like riding a bike,” it refers to muscle memory, or something that once you learn, you generally never forget how to do. But do you remember the first time you rode a bike, wobbly but somehow erect? The first time you took the training wheels off and you kept your balance all on your own? Scary, thrilling, with maybe a skinned knee or two.
But you did it. To me, it’s a lot about trust; trusting yourself that you can do it. Yes, you’ll always remember how to ride a bike, but it’s your own faith and confidence in yourself that keeps you upright and cruising down the road.
Of course, this applies to all types of different avenues of life! In dating, in bungee jumping, in applying for seemingly out-of-reach jobs, or connecting with someone at your dream company on LinkedIn to learn more about what they do. Everything is scary the first time around. But think about your past successes! Once you realize you can do it, it isn’t as difficult or nerve-wracking as you once though it was—and moving forward, you can always do said scary thing. If it’s been a while, fear not. Know that you’ve gone through it, and that you can do hard things, in the wise words of Glennon Doyle.
I’ve shared before that for every job I apply to, I follow up with the editor or hiring manager via email, sending my personal pitch along with my resume and cover letter. That’s how I got my current job, and several managers have told me how impressed they are by it, as it’s a gutsy move to cold email someone I don’t know, so sure that I’m the right fit for the role. (Psssst, fake it ‘til you make it.) After hearing this feedback, why would I ever not do it?
Earlier this year, you all shared your stories with me about how you shot your shot. None of the opportunities you went for would’ve been possible had you not believed in yourself, or at least not been afraid of failing. The fall is never as bad as you might think, and ultimately, how will you know if you never even try? You might want to revisit that newsletter if you need a little inspo. 😉
So trust yourself, baby! Your intuition, your abilities, and your charisma. And from there, look how many doors you open for yourself. As I like to think, quoting from some self-help book I’ve read somewhere along the way: opportunity is all around you if you’re looking for it.
And in a quick Google search on the simile in question, I also found a profound quote from a physicist you might’ve heard of by the name of Albert Einstein: Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. And is that not just the perfect cherry on top?
For next week’s newsletter, I’d love to know your answer to the following regarding the fear of missing out our generation knows so well:
How do you deal with FOMO? What gives you the worst FOMO and what helps you combat it? Let me know here.
By the way, I’m still listening to this playlist, as I like to add songs as I go. With that, here are a few picks to get you through the week:
LISTEN:
READ:
The Wall Street Journal: “Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show” - A great follow-up to last week’s social media newsletter. *Sigh.* But is anyone surprised?
USA Today: “This is America: They were babies on 9/11. It's changed their lives.” - Twenty years have passed since the attack that shaped 21st Century America, and I don’t remember a single second of it. This piece takes a look at the devastating effects through Gen Z-ers’ eyes, taking an interesting approach on how the day created the culture of fear we know all too well.
My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite - This thrilling tale of a nurse who helps clean up after her sister who has a habit of killing her own boyfriends is a quick read told in an entertaining voice. I could’ve asked for more twists and turns, but a page-turner nonetheless.
LAUGH:
FOLLOW:
Afffirmations - Get inspired via global self-hypnosis. 😝
Subway Creatures - Wouldn’t you like to know what critters, crawlers and creeps ride the New York Subway? Great follow for sure.
almart_8 - ALMA is a Colombian artist who makes the coolest collages, graphics, and photo illustrations—and she’s only 19!
CONSIDER:
“birth-day” by Lucille Clifton
today we are possible.
the morning, green and laundry-sweet,
opens itself and we enter
blind and mewling.
everything waits for us:
the snow kingdom
sparkling and silent
in its glacial cap,
the cane fields
shining and sweet
in the sun-drenched south.
as the day arrives
with all its clumsy blessings
what we will become
waits in us like an ache.
Affirmation of the week: I can do hard things.
Question of the week: What is the boldest thing you’ve ever done, and would you do it again?
Thank you all for taking your time to read this week’s newsletter! I’m always looking to improve my work, so leave a comment, send me a message, or fill out this form to tell me about what you want to read about in upcoming Dear Twenty-Somethings! I’m all ears. Connect with me on Twitter, LinkedIn, Goodreads or online if you feel so inclined. And check out last week’s newsletter here in case you missed it.
If you liked what you read, send this newsletter to a friend! Heck, send it to 10 friends! Sending love and light to you, wherever you are. 🌟
Cheers & happy Wednesday! Stay well.
xoxoxo, Quinnie <3