my climbing coach always stops me when I say "I can't do this one" and makes me instead say "what can I do to make it so I can do this one". keeps me from getting too disappointed, even when it turns out I really couldn't do it quite yet haha
that's such a good tip! and another example of teaching ourselves how to shift our mindset :-) i haven't used this one, but i will definitely try it out next time i get shut down by a climb! thanks so much for sharing!!
perfect tips, Jenn! i recently realized the "more I give, the more I get" -- meaning that when i go into a session with good thoughts, and spend my time supporting other people (whether that's cheering on a V10 climber or offering beta to beginners), i end up feeling looser and more confident, too. you can get stuck in your own head and spiral. offering a fist bump or a "nice send!" or even a smile helps me escape that internal space.
feastmode so so true!! being a warm, welcoming person goes such a long way. i have yet to attain the level of zen that you’re describing, but it’s def one of my goals to be this outgoing :-)
Gosh, thanks so much for this video. It's the first of the sort that I have seen so far that covers this topic so throroughly. I dont really talk a lot about my "bouldering anxiety", because I am kind of ashamed of having it (another irrational thing...) but these mean, destructive thoughts still have an impact on my bouldering sessions. Your channel and the Bouldering Dabrats help me gain more confidence and feel more at ease with my advanced-beginner-bouldering-self. :) Thanks, gurl! And regards from Dortmund, Germany.
I always feel embarrassed to be alone in any place where people would usually go in groups, because in my mind that makes it look as if I have no friends and everyone will see me as weird and unlikeable.
I started climbing a month ago and I really found your beginner climbing videos helpful! I tend to be more discouraged when people watch me climb so It is really good timing that you made this video! Keep it up!!!
the "growth mindset" bit was very helpful to me. I got into climbing a few months ago and have been a good amount with a friend who is also new. however the one time I went alone I felt a lot of anxiety and left early. I let that memory of going alone stop me from going to the gym alone for months while my friend was busy. Thanks for sharing this vid, there's really not much other stuff out there
that infographic was great, definitely something i struggle with at times. my biggest anxiety when bouldering in front of people is figuring out the start. sometimes its two holds, sometimes one... i feel stupid not knowing where to place my hands and feet and all that. especially if its a tricky one thats at or above my current limit. Edit: I'm an INFP!!! yay!
This was the EXACT video i needed right now. I’ve gone climbing twice and quickly discovered that all the gyms in my area open kind of late (11am-noonish) and are never really empty, so it’s really difficult for me to get out there and climb when I am Very Beginner, and it’s Very Busy. My current mantras have been “I am allowed to be here” and “They were all beginners once too”. I’ll try adding in some of these tips, I’m especially interested in that book/ TED talk. I love your editing style (especially the lil animations!) You are a fantastic communicator.
ahh this was such a sweet comment to read!! thank you so much!! i TOTALLY know what you mean with personal mantras, i feel like i always have a couple on a marquee in my brain that replay over and over when i'm starting to freak out a bit. so glad to have helped ya, hope you get out there and crush it in front of EVERYONE !! :-)
Love that you mentioned growth mindset! My mentor in college introduced me to this concept and it really transformed the way I saw "failure." Float party at a friend's beach house- he defends for his PhD today! Sorry for the mean comments that you get on here :( But I hope that the kind ones outweigh the mean ones. God made you wonderfully unique. You are beautiful, my (internet) friend :)
You touched on some good mental aspects for bouldering/climbing. If you haven't read it yet, pick up The Rock Warrior's Way. It focuses on the mental aspects of roped climbing and growth mindset in climbing, but the entire process can also be applied to bouldering.
Larry Shaw woooah thanks for the suggestion!! i’m a scaredy cat on the rock and actually feel like i need to improve my mental game, especially outside. i’ll check this book out for sure!
awesome vid jenn, way to go this one is definitely getting shared all over, so many ppl deal with this situation daily. My cousin calls me a social butterfly but i see time and time again shy ppl at the gym and i try to talk to them to make them feel less uncomfortable. I think it also helps when comfortable ppl are willing to reach out and talk to u to.
this whole video was helpful but that last segment about the growth mindset and perfection really hit home. i'll be sure to check out that TED talk it also scared me when you said it was the end of jennsends bc i thought you were saying you were quitting yt lol. great vid as always and keep it up!!
INTJ here! I'm only slightly introverted over extraversion, but my normally outgoing easiness can be upset by crushing anxiety due to some unusual stimulus (like a comment or a weird look). Anyway, the point is to overcome this by blocking those internal messages and substituting positive mantras. I liked your growth chart- that is the mindset!
Lorax Tribe OOO i was an INTJ before i changed to INFP!! INTJs are supposed to be very ~analytical~, hehe. I TOTALLY GET what you mean!! these small-ish things might be totally harmless but if you interpret them as hurtful, they can really throw you off. even a slight inflection in the tone of someone’s voice can do it. repeat those positive mantras!! you got this! :-)
If i could like this video twice i would ! Honestly i appreciate this and you so much. Im still working on my anxiety in general. These are all amazing tips and examples. Thank you for this. Keep it up.
I am 14 years old and in a climbing team in Austria 🇦🇹. I can refer to this problem pretty well although I am actually really good at climbing, but I think I got more confident. However, the pressure when someone else especially in my climbing team flashes a boulder or when I take part in a competition is still not easy for me. I always try to have fun in that situation.
One of the things I enjoy with bouldering is how social it is. So, climbing in front of other people sort of motivates me and I often climb better. Frankly, there will always be better climbers at the gym - so take this as an opportunity to learn things rather than shy away. Besides, those who watch you often think more about their own climbing ("what do I do different/better?") rather than yours. Thanks for the book suggestion, btw!
Gilbert G of course!! and a lot of my friends are the same way. they get fueled by the energy of people climbing around them and actually climb harder than if they were by themselves!! thanks for sharing the tip, using skilled climbers as learning opportunities rather than shying away - very important!!
Trial and error. A great way to learn and find the way. Don't worry and just do your thing. People don't care about others that much they're busy doing their stuff. go on sir
David Lee for sure! i mean, just think about the last time you were climbing and try to remember the other climbers that were there too. i have a hard time remembering anyone but me, tbh (so self centered lmao) which is a testament to how inwardly focused other climbers are!!
@@JenniferLangen i see sir. How about trying lead climbing :) it is pretty safe and fun you know when you fall you fall into the air not on the ground. And you must need sombody else who will watch over you while climbing and vise versa when the other one climbs. well you sir already know how to climb so if you gear up a little more and find a buddy; the hard part, you can lead. its just an idea sir. and sorry for bad english.
This has actually become worse for me because I've been ill and not able to climb much at all recently. It's very frustrating to have the technique, but not the strength. Knowing I could have done a problem easily a year ago, but barely even able to do a single move now makes me feel incredibly weak and pathetic. It feels like everyone who has seen me climb well before will judge me for becoming so bad at it. I know it's irrational and that no one will probably even remember me, let alone which grades I climbed, but the anxiety is still there. Then every now and then someone will see me climb an easier problem and tell me I looked very graceful and smooth on the wall and I regain some of that confidence. I need to start telling myself I only climb for my own enjoyment, not anyone else's. As long as I'm having fun, it doesn't matter if I fail a lot or only climb easy grades. Besides, if I have never judged anyone for falling, why would they judge me?
if it helps, i think talking to climbers who are recovering from injury is really inspiring, personally. i don't even like the way i climb after a long night out. the struggle is relatable, and your feelings are too.
Literally went bouldering today for the second time and internally experienced this. And being with a friend, I definitely felt a bit anxious climbing around how busy it was and my friend. So this video is definitely amazing to see! Thank you for this! 😊
I often remind myself that even the experts have to do V0s and V1s to warm up (or whatever grade I'd happen to be on), then I just pretend that when people see me climbing those lower grades they're assuming I'm just warming up. I also remind myself of all the more expert level climbers that I've personally seen struggle on V2s and V3s when they can normally do V5+. Not everyone is good on the slab/overhang/etc, and it's nice to see that everyone is still learning, no matter the level.
sweet video, can't wait to show it to my lady, I hope it will help her out. you mention about making a video about fear of falling, I'll look forward to it :)
Whilst I try and avoid super busy times for the wall, I've not come had issues climbing around other people climbing higher grades- I just get on the wall when it's my turn. We've all been at the lower beginner type level at some point. My mental block is when I see a climb that I think is above my skill level when taking the time to break it down is all that's needed in some cases.
hydra66 that’s a good attitude to have. and true, the mental blocks can definitely creep up even when you’re comparing yourself to your own self! i’m also trying to figure out how to push past those blocks i have when trying climbs that i think are outside my ability
I used to get a little discouraged when I would climb with friends. I go alone most days and work on projects and then my friends flash them. I’ve gotten a lot better about that because I’ve been climbing a lot more since then. Just takes time to get past that mindset!
Yes, it's great to have this mindset, that's exactly what I want. How though? How do you stop intrusive negative thoughts that are out of your control?
I find that I usually get more anxious in the bouldering room, which is why I go for top rope with a partner. It makes it more a team thing, which I like
that's super interesting! i was actually thinking of this while making the title of the video. i feel like there's less pressure w/ people watching on top rope, since you're so far away! with bouldering, there's a lot of spectating going on :-)
This was a much needed video! Thanks for your advice, Jenn! Btw, your eyeliner is always on fleek and your outfits are fire! Love all your videos and I hope you have a nice day!
Lovely video as usual. And people are sh*t sometimes. Please don’t take it too seriously. Everyone is soooo brave when they are hiding behind their keyboards. As a psychotherapist, the exposure thing is totally my thing. I still struggle with bouldering anxiety as well but it keeps getting better. Somehow we have some people (especially men) who are beta spraying like crazy and being so rude to women. Just the other day someone yelled at me from the mat:“you can use the volumes you know?!“ I was just working on my body position. I told him I know but I don’t want to and he just added:“ your climbing looks strenuous“. I was so mad 😡 wasn’t the first time with him. Next time I’ll totally tell him to get off my a*s and stop talking to me ✋. Sorry for the rant, usually the people are SO nice, helpful and encouraging but some people drive me crazy 😜
Jen E. Fur UGHHH that sucks so much, i’m sorry!! for someone to say your climbing looks “strenuous”, ugh... completely unwarranted and unsolicited. and i had no idea you were a psychotherapist! that’s so awesome :o thanks so much jen, i hope next time that guy sprays beta you can have a sharp reply :-D
I think it helps to figure out why you cant climb a certain route. If it's just because you haven't figured out how to do it, or if you are bad at a certain technique, or if you don't have the necessary strength to do it. If you get to a route where you have no way of making that dyno or it requires muscles you don't have yet, maybe try something easier until you are ready for that in the coming weeks, months, or years. But you also have to keep pushing yourself if you want to get better, and pushing yourself means failing sometimes.
I was at a university for a summer where the bouldering and climbing wall was in the center of a two story massive gym. ALL the other equipment was pointed at it. Hundreds of treadmills, bikes, weights... and the bouldering was stupid hard. After that I’ve never been as nervous about people watching.
Whaaat, in other countries people are shy climbing? Climbing in front of strong climbers is super nice. At least in Poland... If some experienced climbers see that you struggle, they start trying to help you with some tips, analyze what your problem might be, they show some beta, they cheer while you climb and it often makes the ascent possible. This is the one of the best things in climbing!
Łukasz Grymulski OOO sounds like i gotta come to Poland :-) that sounds so lovely and welcoming! there are some people like that at my gym but i also just need an excuse to go to poland and i have one now !
@@JenniferLangen I was thinking about it more... In my town there are only a few climbing facilities and they are all small. Here in Lublin if climbing gym workers see someone new, they instantly approach newcomers, explain everything with a smile and try to spread a good vibe from the very beginning. I am not sure how it works in other polish cities but it's probably a bit similar. However, in big Warsaw climbing gyms it always seemed much less friendly. I also smelled a shallow customer-seller attitude in big climbing walls in Paris. Maybe it's some "big-gym-effect" that people lose ability to help all new climbers (too many people to manage or sth)? Let's be honest, here in Poland we are a few years behind americans with our climbing gyms development, it might become the same here in a few years as you have. And that might be also the reason why it seems so friendly here, especially in my small town with small walls. Who know what the future has to bring, as this sport is becoming olympic.
Awesome stuff, ms. sends. We also LOVE this topic in general! Feel free to stop by southern california anytime to discuss it more in our studio! You made many good points, and it's definitely something that many people struggle with.
I climb to help me with my PTSD, specifically what that means for me is managing a lot of depression and anxiety, and managing a severe pain disorder without narcotics. For me, my occasional fear of climbing in front of other people comes up when I have to position my body in an unusual way - for example, one time a start had me face down with my butt in the air. For me it was more about my ptsd and triggering body memories / feeling like parts of my body were vulnerable to other people while in those weird body postures. I started to overcome this by taking on the growth mind set. Anything I feel uncomfortable with I slow down and feel my emotions, and think about what memories come up for me. Sometimes I have to take a break to release some emotion that comes up (aka cry). I try to have an attitude of acceptance and slow down each moment. My ptsd is from being sexually assaulted and I wanted to share my experience for any other survivors who climb.
I have huge issues with body image and self confidence. I feel weak and stupid. When I went bouldering with my boyfriend and his friends I just felt an enormous amount of anxiety all the time and While my boyfriend thought he was being sweet when making a picture of me climbing but it sent my anxiety through the roof because I feel like I look horrible and fat and weak. It took me a couple weeks to try again, I’m going this evening !
i gotta go climb tomorrow! the close gym to me is closing because theyre relocating but this location is so special to me so i gotta go say goodbye to it 😢
I always get self conscious when I fall from the top of the wall or whip my head back on the mat. Im like shit! I hope the ppl at the front desk didn't see that and think im being unsafe
Know you’ve had them for a minute but dope bangs👌🏼 also what shoes do you like best for bouldering? Just got my second pair ever - shamans.. weirdly comfortable
HAHA they were kind of misbehaving in this video, they're a little fluffy :-D and i currently wear la sportiva solutions and they're great! i have little heels that pop out of shoes and solutions fit me great. i've heard great things about shamans though!!
hey hey thanks!! and ooOoOoo i didn't know it was next weekend!! i've actually never gone to a TCS comp before, but if my tramway plans fall through next week... that's where i'll be!!
@@JenniferLangen it's a super chill event. Self graded comp. Everyone is very supportive and free beer, pizza, and shirt. It's free for Touchstone members!
One way to get over this is to practice falling and falling techniques. Also, try to figure out how you'd fall if you do fall and deciding if it's worth it :)
that fear stays with you until you've fallen off a few times and realise it isn't so bad. Then you become conscious when climbing directly above features you don't want to fall onto (eg volumes)
@@JenniferLangen I started climbing specifically to work on my PTSD and crippling social anxiety. I set goals each time I climb. Current goals are to 1. be able to tune out large gym crowds while under stress and 2. work through fear of falling. You hit the nail on the head for goal 1. I will definitely adopt some of your tips. For #2, I have been trying to climb to the point where I get scared, and remember to stop, breathe, and try to practice putting my hand or foot on the next hold before I come down. Try that out and see if it helps your fear of falling! And thank you for addressing this topic!
Don’t climb with someone who constantly says, “well, if you were able to do it, then I should be able too, as well.” It’s a low key way of saying “I think I’m better than you.” My friend does this and I need to have a good chat with him about this. It’s always good to climb with someone, but when someone is supportive instead of completely competitive. If you’re the audience and you know someone has a bit of anxiety, don’t do the normal, “come on! You got it! Come on! Come on!” It doesn’t help and it made me climb worse, when I started. It motivates some people, but it puts pressure on others.
Thank god it isnt just me then! I became a member of my local gym and find it hard to climb in front of others because I'm still a beginner. Ended up meeting someone who is on our group chat group and he kept pushing me to climb. I think it's always better to have someone like that especially when they wont let you off the wall till you reach the top🤣
hey hey!! i love LA Boulders, which is bouldering only. i feel like lots of people like Sender One for sport! but cliffs of id also has sport climbing and bouldering as well :-)
What about fat people like me? I want to climb and get in shape… I feel embarrassed when everyone is skinny and shredded at climbing gyms…climbing with shirts off…..got a video tip for that?
Try watching other ppl climb at the gym. Do you judge them for their mistakes? Hopefully not. Ppl who might be watching you are having the same thoughts you have when you watch them. I think most ppl are thinking about how they can climb better and how they can pay it forward the help that better climbers have given them.
r****** and his 1 friend better stay the h*ck away from ur eyeliner prowess because i KNOW if u were to stand in his presence he would be quaking and trying to focus on something else in the environment b/c he can't handle the stila. keep that same energy IRL bro
Anna Do bruh BRRUUUU ok ya if i can just imagine every hater as part of the r*** clan it’ll make it that much easier to swat them away like the basic w1118 flies that they are
yall are fuckin missing out on life if you're seriously thinking about stuff like this. NOBODY cares if you project a vb. Nobody cares if you flash a v7. You don't climb to impress other people so why the hell should you care about what others think about your ability? I guarantee 90%+ of climbers are so focused on their own project that they don't even really notice anybody else that may be working an easier problem. The strongest climbers aren't afraid to fail and have no problem with trying the same shit over and over again. They don't just give up on some coordination dyno just because some other dude flashed it. They will sit there and try that problem until they get it. You need to be humble and realize that you're not climbing for competition. Having a good time is the only purpose of most people's climbing experience. Don't forget that.
didn't think anyone would ever make a video out of bouldering anxiety! thank you so much for this 😊
my climbing coach always stops me when I say "I can't do this one" and makes me instead say "what can I do to make it so I can do this one". keeps me from getting too disappointed, even when it turns out I really couldn't do it quite yet haha
that's such a good tip! and another example of teaching ourselves how to shift our mindset :-) i haven't used this one, but i will definitely try it out next time i get shut down by a climb! thanks so much for sharing!!
i'm totally going to start doing that
As a massive introvert this is so helpful. It's good to know I'm not the only one with these anxieties. Thank you!
Also I love your eyeliner xx
perfect tips, Jenn!
i recently realized the "more I give, the more I get" -- meaning that when i go into a session with good thoughts, and spend my time supporting other people (whether that's cheering on a V10 climber or offering beta to beginners), i end up feeling looser and more confident, too.
you can get stuck in your own head and spiral. offering a fist bump or a "nice send!" or even a smile helps me escape that internal space.
feastmode so so true!! being a warm, welcoming person goes such a long way. i have yet to attain the level of zen that you’re describing, but it’s def one of my goals to be this outgoing :-)
Gosh, thanks so much for this video. It's the first of the sort that I have seen so far that covers this topic so throroughly. I dont really talk a lot about my "bouldering anxiety", because I am kind of ashamed of having it (another irrational thing...) but these mean, destructive thoughts still have an impact on my bouldering sessions. Your channel and the Bouldering Dabrats help me gain more confidence and feel more at ease with my advanced-beginner-bouldering-self. :) Thanks, gurl! And regards from Dortmund, Germany.
I always feel embarrassed to be alone in any place where people would usually go in groups, because in my mind that makes it look as if I have no friends and everyone will see me as weird and unlikeable.
I started climbing a month ago and I really found your beginner climbing videos helpful! I tend to be more discouraged when people watch me climb so It is really good timing that you made this video! Keep it up!!!
hey omg! that's so awesome that you just started climbing! and glad to have helped :-) have fun out there!
the "growth mindset" bit was very helpful to me. I got into climbing a few months ago and have been a good amount with a friend who is also new. however the one time I went alone I felt a lot of anxiety and left early. I let that memory of going alone stop me from going to the gym alone for months while my friend was busy. Thanks for sharing this vid, there's really not much other stuff out there
that infographic was great, definitely something i struggle with at times.
my biggest anxiety when bouldering in front of people is figuring out the start. sometimes its two holds, sometimes one... i feel stupid not knowing where to place my hands and feet and all that. especially if its a tricky one thats at or above my current limit.
Edit: I'm an INFP!!! yay!
This was the EXACT video i needed right now. I’ve gone climbing twice and quickly discovered that all the gyms in my area open kind of late (11am-noonish) and are never really empty, so it’s really difficult for me to get out there and climb when I am Very Beginner, and it’s Very Busy. My current mantras have been “I am allowed to be here” and “They were all beginners once too”. I’ll try adding in some of these tips, I’m especially interested in that book/ TED talk.
I love your editing style (especially the lil animations!) You are a fantastic communicator.
ahh this was such a sweet comment to read!! thank you so much!! i TOTALLY know what you mean with personal mantras, i feel like i always have a couple on a marquee in my brain that replay over and over when i'm starting to freak out a bit. so glad to have helped ya, hope you get out there and crush it in front of EVERYONE !! :-)
I love these mantras!! I’m in the same boat so thank you so much for sharing :)
Love that you mentioned growth mindset! My mentor in college introduced me to this concept and it really transformed the way I saw "failure." Float party at a friend's beach house- he defends for his PhD today!
Sorry for the mean comments that you get on here :( But I hope that the kind ones outweigh the mean ones. God made you wonderfully unique. You are beautiful, my (internet) friend :)
You touched on some good mental aspects for bouldering/climbing. If you haven't read it yet, pick up The Rock Warrior's Way. It focuses on the mental aspects of roped climbing and growth mindset in climbing, but the entire process can also be applied to bouldering.
Larry Shaw woooah thanks for the suggestion!! i’m a scaredy cat on the rock and actually feel like i need to improve my mental game, especially outside. i’ll check this book out for sure!
*this video came at the perfect time thank you!! 💓💓*
YOU'RE SO WELCOME!!! also dang you're a speedy commenter!!
awesome vid jenn, way to go this one is definitely getting shared all over, so many ppl deal with this situation daily. My cousin calls me a social butterfly but i see time and time again shy ppl at the gym and i try to talk to them to make them feel less uncomfortable. I think it also helps when comfortable ppl are willing to reach out and talk to u to.
so true jeff! i'm sure they're appreciative that you're reaching out and being friendly :-)
I'm also an INFP so this was really good to watch! Keep them positive vibes :)
this whole video was helpful but that last segment about the growth mindset and perfection really hit home. i'll be sure to check out that TED talk
it also scared me when you said it was the end of jennsends bc i thought you were saying you were quitting yt lol. great vid as always and keep it up!!
LOL maybe i need to think of a better sign off!! and yes! perfectionism seems so innocuous but actually can really get in the way :-((
INTJ here! I'm only slightly introverted over extraversion, but my normally outgoing easiness can be upset by crushing anxiety due to some unusual stimulus (like a comment or a weird look). Anyway, the point is to overcome this by blocking those internal messages and substituting positive mantras. I liked your growth chart- that is the mindset!
Lorax Tribe OOO i was an INTJ before i changed to INFP!! INTJs are supposed to be very ~analytical~, hehe. I TOTALLY GET what you mean!! these small-ish things might be totally harmless but if you interpret them as hurtful, they can really throw you off. even a slight inflection in the tone of someone’s voice can do it. repeat those positive mantras!! you got this! :-)
If i could like this video twice i would ! Honestly i appreciate this and you so much. Im still working on my anxiety in general. These are all amazing tips and examples. Thank you for this. Keep it up.
ahh thanks so much! that means so much :-) glad to have helped!!
I learned a new word from this video. Ameliorate.
In a sentence: Jenn ameliorated my day with this video.
I am 14 years old and in a climbing team in Austria 🇦🇹. I can refer to this problem pretty well although I am actually really good at climbing, but I think I got more confident.
However, the pressure when someone else especially in my climbing team flashes a boulder or when I take part in a competition is still not easy for me.
I always try to have fun in that situation.
Claro_ Caro that’s so cool, i never even thought of this in the context of competing. i’m sure the pressure is a lot higher!
One of the things I enjoy with bouldering is how social it is. So, climbing in front of other people sort of motivates me and I often climb better. Frankly, there will always be better climbers at the gym - so take this as an opportunity to learn things rather than shy away. Besides, those who watch you often think more about their own climbing ("what do I do different/better?") rather than yours. Thanks for the book suggestion, btw!
Gilbert G of course!! and a lot of my friends are the same way. they get fueled by the energy of people climbing around them and actually climb harder than if they were by themselves!! thanks for sharing the tip, using skilled climbers as learning opportunities rather than shying away - very important!!
Trial and error. A great way to learn and find the way. Don't worry and just do your thing. People don't care about others that much they're busy doing their stuff. go on sir
David Lee for sure! i mean, just think about the last time you were climbing and try to remember the other climbers that were there too. i have a hard time remembering anyone but me, tbh (so self centered lmao) which is a testament to how inwardly focused other climbers are!!
@@JenniferLangen i see sir. How about trying lead climbing :) it is pretty safe and fun you know when you fall you fall into the air not on the ground. And you must need sombody else who will watch over you while climbing and vise versa when the other one climbs. well you sir already know how to climb so if you gear up a little more and find a buddy; the hard part, you can lead. its just an idea sir. and sorry for bad english.
This has actually become worse for me because I've been ill and not able to climb much at all recently. It's very frustrating to have the technique, but not the strength. Knowing I could have done a problem easily a year ago, but barely even able to do a single move now makes me feel incredibly weak and pathetic. It feels like everyone who has seen me climb well before will judge me for becoming so bad at it. I know it's irrational and that no one will probably even remember me, let alone which grades I climbed, but the anxiety is still there. Then every now and then someone will see me climb an easier problem and tell me I looked very graceful and smooth on the wall and I regain some of that confidence. I need to start telling myself I only climb for my own enjoyment, not anyone else's. As long as I'm having fun, it doesn't matter if I fail a lot or only climb easy grades. Besides, if I have never judged anyone for falling, why would they judge me?
if it helps, i think talking to climbers who are recovering from injury is really inspiring, personally. i don't even like the way i climb after a long night out. the struggle is relatable, and your feelings are too.
Yay you finally did this video. Glad you shared, especially since I sometimes get anxious around these climbing pr0s.
Hai Lauren of course of course!! hope u crush it in front of those climbing pr0s soon :-))
Literally went bouldering today for the second time and internally experienced this. And being with a friend, I definitely felt a bit anxious climbing around how busy it was and my friend. So this video is definitely amazing to see! Thank you for this! 😊
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hit all the points well! So glad we got to climb and chatted about this in person! Keep up the awesome vids!
this video was awesome, I’ve been bouldering for about 6 months and I found this incredibly helpful and relatable. thank you!!
looking forward to the video on overcoming a fear of falling, it's one of the major things that is holding me back from progressing further
thank you for bringing this to my attention. I often see new climbers move a lot.
Was looking forward to this video all week! Thanks for the tips and encouraging words Jenn 🙂
aww yay hey!! so glad to finally be here :-) and thank YOU for the support!! :-))
I often remind myself that even the experts have to do V0s and V1s to warm up (or whatever grade I'd happen to be on), then I just pretend that when people see me climbing those lower grades they're assuming I'm just warming up.
I also remind myself of all the more expert level climbers that I've personally seen struggle on V2s and V3s when they can normally do V5+. Not everyone is good on the slab/overhang/etc, and it's nice to see that everyone is still learning, no matter the level.
sweet video, can't wait to show it to my lady, I hope it will help her out. you mention about making a video about fear of falling, I'll look forward to it :)
Oli Overwatch heck ya, send the lady my regards! :-) stay tuned!
@@JenniferLangen awesome look forward to it 😁
Re-watched, preparing for my first comp. tomorrow. Thanks for some great tips!
Whilst I try and avoid super busy times for the wall, I've not come had issues climbing around other people climbing higher grades- I just get on the wall when it's my turn. We've all been at the lower beginner type level at some point.
My mental block is when I see a climb that I think is above my skill level when taking the time to break it down is all that's needed in some cases.
hydra66 that’s a good attitude to have. and true, the mental blocks can definitely creep up even when you’re comparing yourself to your own self! i’m also trying to figure out how to push past those blocks i have when trying climbs that i think are outside my ability
I used to get a little discouraged when I would climb with friends. I go alone most days and work on projects and then my friends flash them. I’ve gotten a lot better about that because I’ve been climbing a lot more since then. Just takes time to get past that mindset!
i totally understand!! that's still the case when i climb outside. my friends flash the warmup while i project it. it def takes time to get over it!!
Heu just dropping by to say that I love your channel! I haven't even started bouldering yet, but I really enjoy your videos
Good job!
Yes, it's great to have this mindset, that's exactly what I want. How though? How do you stop intrusive negative thoughts that are out of your control?
I find that I usually get more anxious in the bouldering room, which is why I go for top rope with a partner. It makes it more a team thing, which I like
that's super interesting! i was actually thinking of this while making the title of the video. i feel like there's less pressure w/ people watching on top rope, since you're so far away! with bouldering, there's a lot of spectating going on :-)
same here i feel you
@@JenniferLangen That is honestly a good point. I know that I do it too in order to get beta and watch technique. That is super interesting.
This was a much needed video! Thanks for your advice, Jenn! Btw, your eyeliner is always on fleek and your outfits are fire! Love all your videos and I hope you have a nice day!
Great topic for a video! This will help lots of beginner climbers. :) Great work!!
Lovely video as usual. And people are sh*t sometimes. Please don’t take it too seriously. Everyone is soooo brave when they are hiding behind their keyboards.
As a psychotherapist, the exposure thing is totally my thing. I still struggle with bouldering anxiety as well but it keeps getting better. Somehow we have some people (especially men) who are beta spraying like crazy and being so rude to women. Just the other day someone yelled at me from the mat:“you can use the volumes you know?!“ I was just working on my body position. I told him I know but I don’t want to and he just added:“ your climbing looks strenuous“. I was so mad 😡 wasn’t the first time with him. Next time I’ll totally tell him to get off my a*s and stop talking to me ✋. Sorry for the rant, usually the people are SO nice, helpful and encouraging but some people drive me crazy 😜
Jen E. Fur UGHHH that sucks so much, i’m sorry!! for someone to say your climbing looks “strenuous”, ugh... completely unwarranted and unsolicited. and i had no idea you were a psychotherapist! that’s so awesome :o thanks so much jen, i hope next time that guy sprays beta you can have a sharp reply :-D
I think it helps to figure out why you cant climb a certain route. If it's just because you haven't figured out how to do it, or if you are bad at a certain technique, or if you don't have the necessary strength to do it. If you get to a route where you have no way of making that dyno or it requires muscles you don't have yet, maybe try something easier until you are ready for that in the coming weeks, months, or years. But you also have to keep pushing yourself if you want to get better, and pushing yourself means failing sometimes.
Thank you!! This was so so helpful 💕 LOVE your channel.
you are my most favourite climbing / youtube channel. would love to boulder outdoors with you if you ever come to hong kong!
I was at a university for a summer where the bouldering and climbing wall was in the center of a two story massive gym. ALL the other equipment was pointed at it. Hundreds of treadmills, bikes, weights... and the bouldering was stupid hard. After that I’ve never been as nervous about people watching.
Great tips!! I've been climbing for over a year and I still get anxiety. So this is perfect
I wish I had friends to Boulder with😭 there’s random days where I climb with a few guys but that’s it. Like a one night stand yenno
Great video Jenn! Keep up the good content! :)
Michael Schwartz hey hey thanks so much!! :-) :-)
Whaaat, in other countries people are shy climbing? Climbing in front of strong climbers is super nice. At least in Poland... If some experienced climbers see that you struggle, they start trying to help you with some tips, analyze what your problem might be, they show some beta, they cheer while you climb and it often makes the ascent possible. This is the one of the best things in climbing!
Łukasz Grymulski OOO sounds like i gotta come to Poland :-) that sounds so lovely and welcoming! there are some people like that at my gym but i also just need an excuse to go to poland and i have one now !
@@JenniferLangen I was thinking about it more... In my town there are only a few climbing facilities and they are all small. Here in Lublin if climbing gym workers see someone new, they instantly approach newcomers, explain everything with a smile and try to spread a good vibe from the very beginning. I am not sure how it works in other polish cities but it's probably a bit similar. However, in big Warsaw climbing gyms it always seemed much less friendly. I also smelled a shallow customer-seller attitude in big climbing walls in Paris. Maybe it's some "big-gym-effect" that people lose ability to help all new climbers (too many people to manage or sth)? Let's be honest, here in Poland we are a few years behind americans with our climbing gyms development, it might become the same here in a few years as you have. And that might be also the reason why it seems so friendly here, especially in my small town with small walls. Who know what the future has to bring, as this sport is becoming olympic.
Awesome stuff, ms. sends. We also LOVE this topic in general! Feel free to stop by southern california anytime to discuss it more in our studio! You made many good points, and it's definitely something that many people struggle with.
I climb to help me with my PTSD, specifically what that means for me is managing a lot of depression and anxiety, and managing a severe pain disorder without narcotics. For me, my occasional fear of climbing in front of other people comes up when I have to position my body in an unusual way - for example, one time a start had me face down with my butt in the air. For me it was more about my ptsd and triggering body memories / feeling like parts of my body were vulnerable to other people while in those weird body postures. I started to overcome this by taking on the growth mind set. Anything I feel uncomfortable with I slow down and feel my emotions, and think about what memories come up for me. Sometimes I have to take a break to release some emotion that comes up (aka cry). I try to have an attitude of acceptance and slow down each moment. My ptsd is from being sexually assaulted and I wanted to share my experience for any other survivors who climb.
I have huge issues with body image and self confidence. I feel weak and stupid. When I went bouldering with my boyfriend and his friends I just felt an enormous amount of anxiety all the time and While my boyfriend thought he was being sweet when making a picture of me climbing but it sent my anxiety through the roof because I feel like I look horrible and fat and weak.
It took me a couple weeks to try again, I’m going this evening !
i gotta go climb tomorrow! the close gym to me is closing because theyre relocating but this location is so special to me so i gotta go say goodbye to it 😢
ahh that's such a bummer! i hope your climb tomorrow is wonderful despite how bittersweet it might be :"(
Introvert here, awesome video as always. And the tips you shared I will absolutely use. 🙂
I always get self conscious when I fall from the top of the wall or whip my head back on the mat. Im like shit! I hope the ppl at the front desk didn't see that and think im being unsafe
Thanks for this video! I thought I was the only one feeling this way 💙💙💙
PS Your voice is beautiful!
Great video! I have a friend that goes through this, thanks. Maybe talk about gym etiquette, so newer climbers feel more comfortable.
Another great book about cultivating a growth mindset is Josh Waitzkin’s “The Art of Learning.” I recommend the audiobook!
f whoever that person was. i came for the climbing...stayed for the eyeliner ;) climbing with a buddy this weekend at the gym and i can't wait!
SO GLAD to hear that :-D and ooo sweet i hope you both have a great time!!
Know you’ve had them for a minute but dope bangs👌🏼 also what shoes do you like best for bouldering? Just got my second pair ever - shamans.. weirdly comfortable
shaman 2's are great all rounders and yeah they are pretty comfy. I wish all evolv models came with the love bump
HAHA they were kind of misbehaving in this video, they're a little fluffy :-D and i currently wear la sportiva solutions and they're great! i have little heels that pop out of shoes and solutions fit me great. i've heard great things about shamans though!!
Still waiting for you to come to San Diego and boulder!
SAME i love it out there!
This is a great video. Thanks for sharing.
Also, you doing the Hollywood Boulders Comp next weekend?
hey hey thanks!! and ooOoOoo i didn't know it was next weekend!! i've actually never gone to a TCS comp before, but if my tramway plans fall through next week... that's where i'll be!!
@@JenniferLangen it's a super chill event. Self graded comp. Everyone is very supportive and free beer, pizza, and shirt. It's free for Touchstone members!
My problem is the fear of falling and injuring myself... it prevents me from making big moves that I probably could do at lower height. Future vid? :)
Me too
One way to get over this is to practice falling and falling techniques. Also, try to figure out how you'd fall if you do fall and deciding if it's worth it :)
that fear stays with you until you've fallen off a few times and realise it isn't so bad. Then you become conscious when climbing directly above features you don't want to fall onto (eg volumes)
ITS COMING ONCE I LEARN HOW TO NOT BE SCARED OF FALLING TOO!! :0 lol
@@JenniferLangen I started climbing specifically to work on my PTSD and crippling social anxiety. I set goals each time I climb. Current goals are to 1. be able to tune out large gym crowds while under stress and 2. work through fear of falling. You hit the nail on the head for goal 1. I will definitely adopt some of your tips. For #2, I have been trying to climb to the point where I get scared, and remember to stop, breathe, and try to practice putting my hand or foot on the next hold before I come down. Try that out and see if it helps your fear of falling! And thank you for addressing this topic!
Don’t climb with someone who constantly says, “well, if you were able to do it, then I should be able too, as well.” It’s a low key way of saying “I think I’m better than you.” My friend does this and I need to have a good chat with him about this. It’s always good to climb with someone, but when someone is supportive instead of completely competitive.
If you’re the audience and you know someone has a bit of anxiety, don’t do the normal, “come on! You got it! Come on! Come on!” It doesn’t help and it made me climb worse, when I started. It motivates some people, but it puts pressure on others.
I always want to do the hard boulders so after failing a bunch of times I kind of got over it.
I haven’t watched all of your videos (though I’ve watched many) so maybe you’ve mentioned it but do you play guitar?
Thank god it isnt just me then! I became a member of my local gym and find it hard to climb in front of others because I'm still a beginner. Ended up meeting someone who is on our group chat group and he kept pushing me to climb. I think it's always better to have someone like that especially when they wont let you off the wall till you reach the top🤣
Nice mustang. I have one in shell pink.
I like climbing so I watch and subscribe ❤️❤️❤️
Any tips on not bailing/giving up too easily on a route
What's your favorite gym in LA (bouldering or sport)? I'll be there in August and want to check one out.
hey hey!! i love LA Boulders, which is bouldering only. i feel like lots of people like Sender One for sport! but cliffs of id also has sport climbing and bouldering as well :-)
i have the opposite problem, i try too hard on boulders i cant do when ppl are around and get hurt lol
Thanks for the life pro-tip
I never had any anxiety
Best vid ever 😄
look at all those thumbs up! can't wait to climb this weekend and try out that gimbal :p
Martin Mullis hehe look at all these shy guys! the gimbal is in the car and itching to give us some silly smooth
What about fat people like me? I want to climb and get in shape… I feel embarrassed when everyone is skinny and shredded at climbing gyms…climbing with shirts off…..got a video tip for that?
I think you should make climbing therapy a thing!
sick guitar!
also sick tips! incredibly helpful as always
i can play Blackbird pretty good
@@natchen2380 ah merci!
more climbing
👍
Stop punching your Philodendron 😡!!
Joke aside, great video as usual :)
Lewis E. LOL it’s a high five !! i promise i am a friend to plants!!
Try watching other ppl climb at the gym. Do you judge them for their mistakes? Hopefully not. Ppl who might be watching you are having the same thoughts you have when you watch them. I think most ppl are thinking about how they can climb better and how they can pay it forward the help that better climbers have given them.
What I do when I constantly fall of a route is to pop up an easyer route just to remind myself I can climb
But what's wrong with the eyeliner
IDK i deleted the comment right away just like i delete that energy from my life!! maybe it was slightly uneven, who knows!!
BRO GET OFF THE WALL YOUVE BEEN UP THERE ALL DAY IM TRYING TO SEND MY V8 JESUS CHRIST
lmao
r****** and his 1 friend better stay the h*ck away from ur eyeliner prowess because i KNOW if u were to stand in his presence he would be quaking and trying to focus on something else in the environment b/c he can't handle the stila. keep that same energy IRL bro
Anna Do bruh BRRUUUU ok ya if i can just imagine every hater as part of the r*** clan it’ll make it that much easier to swat them away like the basic w1118 flies that they are
Dude that eyeliner is on point just sayin'
45640uberfreak :’-)) thank u thank u so much
Nice thumbnail
Sami Mies thank u thank u i am slowly but surely trying to wrestle the wild beast that is Photoshop
Wild beast.
-_- People these days man. Scared of their own shadows.
Stop worrying about other people and just climb. Easy.
Reported for plant abuse. Just kidding of course. Keep up the good vids.
can't climb infront of people...... uploads climbing videos to the world lel
yall are fuckin missing out on life if you're seriously thinking about stuff like this. NOBODY cares if you project a vb. Nobody cares if you flash a v7. You don't climb to impress other people so why the hell should you care about what others think about your ability? I guarantee 90%+ of climbers are so focused on their own project that they don't even really notice anybody else that may be working an easier problem.
The strongest climbers aren't afraid to fail and have no problem with trying the same shit over and over again. They don't just give up on some coordination dyno just because some other dude flashed it. They will sit there and try that problem until they get it.
You need to be humble and realize that you're not climbing for competition. Having a good time is the only purpose of most people's climbing experience. Don't forget that.
...or just go to the gym when it's empty. Problem solved