Y Ddraig Goch

May 20 2025 - Talented

Prompt: Do you know people who are terrible at doing just about anything, but they are convinced they're extremely talented? What are they like and would you tell them the truth about themselves?
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Honestly, no. I don’t know anyone that is terrible at everything. Everyone is good at something. Everyone has a skill set.

Most of my friends and family know what their strengths and weaknesses are. It's a very eclectic blend of talents. But that shouldn’t discourage them from doing something the like/love or stop me from supporting them in that venture. I can also be open with my friends and family, because they know I would never say or do anything to purposefully harm or hurt them. And I can be tactful when needed (unless it’s my husband - then I’m sledgehammer). I know how to deliver tough/unpleasant conversations in a noninflammatory way. But unless I thought they were doing something detrimental to their health (physical/mental/emotional) or wellbeing (including financial) I wouldn’t intervene.

I know people who like to sing and can’t hold a tune to save their lives… but why should that stop them. Yes, they will probably never sign a record contract, but that’s not what they want anyway. I know people who are a liability when it comes to DIY and we support them by “helping” or coaxing them to seek help for those hard jobs – I also fall into both these categories 😃 There are not many people who will be successful as a football player – but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t enjoy a kick-around at the local park, or playing with the local club.

I see this with my daughter a lot at the moment. She is nine years old. Still learning everything and yet she is constantly comparing herself with her friends or her brother – and depending on the topic she is either really pleased with herself or really sad – pre-teens are extreme!!

We frequently discuss that everyone learns at different rates and that some people will be better than her at somethings, but conversely, she will be great at other things they find more difficult. She is incredibly bendy – she is double jointed and very flexibly – there are times I think she looks broken. She is also slight and petite. A lot of her friend's envy this about her. However, she struggles with reading because she has (we think) dyslexia, while some of her friends are reading two or three years above her. But they are all good at something. And as parents we are constantly reiterating that she (and my son) don’t have to be perfect at something to enjoy it. It’s ok just to have fun. We have explained the financial aspect of their activity so they have an understanding of their commitment when they sign up to something, and also why they can’t just do everything. They choose what they two activities will be.