The bouncing back effect

I’ve always sucked at playing ball games.

In middle school, during sports lessons, we mostly played volleyball. I remember how the best players of my class, the so-called "captains", chose their teams. It goes without saying that I was always picked last. No one chose me because I was clearly incapable. Although I knew it, the bitter feeling of being left out, unwanted, hit me. Every time.

Oh, please don’t, this isn’t about seeking compassion!

If I were in the captains' shoes, I would have made the same choice. Who wants someone on their team who can’t hit the ball properly? What is certain is that I’d have approached it differently if I were my mates and surely trying to make the person feel included, even if they weren’t the strongest player. A kind word or a little encouragement can go a long way when someone already feels out of place.

The truth was, volleyball was the only game we played, probably because the teacher figured everyone had a decent chance of being good at it. But I didn’t fall on the “high-chances” side. Back then, it felt pretty sad that our lessons weren’t more inclusive. A wider variety of games might have allowed everyone to showcase their potential. But hey, that’s how it was.

You see, I was a dancer. My body was trained to follow the rhythm of music, not the bounce of a ball. I thrived in choreography, pivots, and beats. I was so good that my partner and I reached a level where the next step was either going professional or giving it all up.

And guess what two teenagers full of hormones, curiosity, and a zest for life decided? Yep, we gave it up! We chose university, adventure, and love over a professional career.

Do I regret it? Not at all. The girl I was made the best decision based on her context and emotions at the time, and looking back, I’m proud of her.

So, why this long preamble? Because life is wildly unpredictable. Fast forward to today, and I’ve discovered a sport that gives me incredible vibes. And believe it or not, it’s a freaking ball game!

I know it is pretty funny: I, the girl who once dreaded being picked last, can’t get enough of padel.

If you don't know yet, padel is a racquet sport that combines tennis and squash and is played on a smaller, enclosed court with walls you can use to rebound the ball. It’s easy to learn, highly engaging, and social. What I love the most is the thrill of connection with the ball, reading the ball’s trajectory, rushing to meet it, and sending it back with purpose. It feels almost like a dance, a sport that flows with a rhythm of its own.

And if you're wondering whether I'm great at it? LOL, hell no! I might have killed your expectations of an ending filled with glory and trophies. But that's not the point, is it?

What I’ve found is something even better: the thrill of trying, the joy of stepping outside my cozy corner, and the simple pleasure of being on the court. Padel isn’t just a game for me; it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to rediscover things that once felt impossible or intimidating.

And honestly, isn’t that the ultimate win?

Sometimes, the most meaningful journeys take us to places we thought we’d left behind.