Competitions

I don't like competitions, plain and simple. The pressure people are put under, the formalities, and the general feeling that ensues: the strive to beat another person and come out on top. In the past I have horse-back ridden, figure-skated, danced, swam, sang and taken gymnastics. I've dropped each simply because they get to this point of competition. Healthy competition is always fine, but putting yourself on show as something you're not and being judged on it, just seems to enforce the very ideals that what you are by yourself isn't good enough.

This morning I had a piano recital. It's not quite a competition, but you are judged and you try to make yourself look as good as possible. I think I did well, one of my pieces went quite well and the other... not so well. I'm an emotional music player, and so I just don't play classical Bach pieces very well, unlike romantic or impressionistic pieces. Though I've never really liked the piano recitals and the stress and anxiety they bring, I'll miss it next year when I'm away and don't do it. I've been going to this recital for eight or so years now and it's become a routine.