Climbing to the Top, One Letter at a Time

When I’m climbing, all that’s on my mind is the next move. But I can’t rush to it. I have to take my time; I have to be smooth, efficient, and patient. If it is rushed, I’m just wasting energy on bad technique.

The same can be said for my writing. I know I’m in the writing zone when the next sentence is clear to me and I can easily flow on with ease. But I have to remember to take my time and to consider other elements of my writing. If I just follow this flow of writing, the ideas are great, but the grammar is poor. Just like with climbing, if I rush to the next move, yes I’m advancing, but it is poor technique.

Good footwork is precise, smooth, and quiet

Additionally, each time I climb, I get stronger; I also improve each time I write. However, if I don’t use good technique, I don’t improve as much. If I use good footwork when climbing,  it becomes more instinctive each time. This holds true for writing as well. If I take my time and practice good grammar, it will become easier for me to write well and more concise.

Additionally, each route that I climb is different. Some require very powerful moves, while others require perfect balance. As a climber, I have to be well rounded to be able to climb all the different styles of routes that I come across. If someone climbs only powerful routes, it becomes obvious when they try to climb a technique route. It would look as if the climber is forcing each move, whereas a climber with good technique would be very fluid and make the climb look easy.

An example of technique. This route required slow and precise movements –  https://instagram.com/p/9ldIu3R9EO/

An example of power. This route required strength to pull of the big moves – https://instagram.com/p/-7c1vWx9C8BX5yzBg6nuYh0xPNTWtz7HbtrpI0/

The first video shows me doing a route that required good technique and balance, whereas in the second, my brother had to use power and grip strength in order to pull off the move. If I were to only climb one style, I would lose my ability to climb the other. I think that being able to climb any style makes me a better climber since I will be able to adapt to what each route requires.

This is true for my writing as well. I like my writing to be well rounded so that when I have to write a different style of paper or about a different prompt, I can do so easily. I don’t want to be only a research writer or an argumentative writer; I want to be able to switch between each style as if I’m changing climbing shoes.