PHOTO ESSAY SERIES

Looking Down Without Fear

January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Self”

Climbing the walls of solid rock.

All of a sudden, I opened my eyes and found myself running a small indoor climbing gym and organizing rock climbing trips to the mountains. Something I never had in mind before. Just like the sandboarding job.

But as things move, I move with them. I try new things, I do courses, train more, and take opportunities. In my years living in the southern African country of Namibia, I became a climbing instructor and absolutely loved teaching children and adults how to conquer their fear of heights.

I’ve gone out of my comfort zone, not only once, but many times.

The first time I organized a climbing excursion to the beautiful mountains of Spitzkoppe, I could barely sleep the night before. I was nervous. Really nervous. I was worried about all the things that could go wrong.

Over the coming years, I learned not to worry, and when things do go wrong just to improvise. I learned a lot. I grew, as a person and as an instructor, and I met amazing people along the way.

I miss those days.

But I know I will get back to the rock again. Someday. And I also know each job in my life has a limited time span. As long as it’s fun and excites me, I stick to it. Then I’ll move on and try something new.

Part five: The climbing instructor.

I am taking part in the writing prompt where Mary Chang invited us to write on the topic of “self”. Describing myself in one photo and a short form post wasn’t for me, so I decided to create a series from it.

Read more of my series presenting myself in six-word photo stories:

Join my email list here if you would like to read more photo essays or sign up for the Medium membership to receive unlimited access to my and other writer’s stories out here (I will receive a commission fee in return).