The Joy of Not Being a Master of Anything

Renea Valdez, a 20-year-old creative writing major at De La Salle University Manila, has been on a journey of self-discovery through various hobbies and pursuits.

From swimming to music, dance to vlogging, and painting to collecting receipts, Renea has tried her hand at over a dozen activities. Her mother enrolled her in these activities from a young age, believing in their benefits. For instance, when she learned that swimming could help with asthma, Renea soon found herself learning to float.

As Renea vividly remembers, her voice lessons were a struggle. Her teacher introduced her to the scales with 'doe, a deer, a female deer,' but Renea struggled to grasp the timing, often finding herself overwhelmed by the complexity of it all. She also tried her hand at dance by auditioning for a workshop, but didn't succeed.

Despite the challenges, Renea doesn't regret exploring a wide range of hobbies. She believes that everyone should be comfortable in being uncomfortable and take advantage of the opportunity to explore. The internet offers a wealth of information, and Renea encourages readers to search, try, and learn from their experiences.

Renea's recent realization that there's nothing wrong with having multiple hobbies or jumping into new things without being instantly good at them has been liberating. She now sees each experience as another piece of herself that she's collecting, and that's enough.

I would not stop telling people to be comfortable in being uncomfortable. If you have the privilege to explore, take it. If you feel like you're stuck and struggling to figure out what's for you, know that you are not alone.

Renea's journey highlights her tendency to try new things without necessarily excelling in any one area. Her experiences have shaped her into the person she is today, and she encourages others to follow their curiosity and explore without worrying about being great at everything.

And if you ever find yourself lost in the middle of trying to figure out who you're supposed to be, Renea's words of wisdom are: you don't have to choose just one thing. You don't have to be great at everything you try. Explore, rest when you need to, and quit when it stops feeling like joy.