I am clinging to a rock wall in the Blue Mountains, tears streaming down my face. You might think my distress comes from a fear of falling 20 metres down the cliff-face (though my sturdy safety equipment promises otherwise). In truth, my panic-stricken sobs come from a deep disappointment in myself; I don’t know if I can climb any further.
Full disclaimer: I am not an experienced rock climber. Earlier this year, I joined my boyfriend and his friends on their annual climbing trip to the Blue Mountains to “give it a go”. But it turns out these climbs are not designed for first timers, no matter how determined you might be. As I gripped the sandstone and looked up at the challenging problem, I realised I didn’t have the strength nor skillset to reach the top of the climb. A deep sense of failure washed over me. I wasn’t good enough.
I’ve just relayed this anecdote over Zoom to Katie O’Donoghue, relationships coach and inner child specialist at The Indigo Project, after she asked me
