This post has been a long time coming, but I’ve been struggling to find the words to tie all my thoughts together. So bear with me, if you please, I’m doing my best on this one.

I’m a big believer in the idea that the most important relationship you have on this planet is the one that you have with yourself. My reasoning for this is a whole different story in itself, if you’re curious, we can chat later . That said, there are some things you just need to do for yourself to keep that relationship healthy. Over the last year, skydiving has become that “thing” for me.

Skydiving has always been something I’ve done for myself. It’s my stress relief. It’s my zen minute. It’s my own personal challenge, and a pursuit I continue for me.

Now, don’t get me wrong, having Rick right there with me, passionate traveler, willing to hit it hard with me anywhere, anytime is huge – I love that this is something we can share together – but in the end, it’s a passion I pursue for me.

Something I’ve never fully understood is the constant need to prove oneself to others in this world we live in. We’re all out there with a common interest, shouldn’t we be supporting each other rather than trying to one-up our fellow jumpers?

Sure, I’m all for healthy competition and pushing each other to improve, ribbing one another when we cork out or just can’t manage to stick that sit – after all, that’s what friends do – but above that, shouldn’t the skydive be for yourself?

It’s so freeing, so enlightening. The last thing I want is to get back on the ground and feel as if I’m not good enough because someone else is criticizing, or worse, making someone else feel as if they are not a good enough skydiver. (Editors note: this goes beyond helping others improve in the sky. We all know the difference between talking out a jump and working on fundamentals with your fellow jumpers, and being the asshole who is condescending and talking down to other jumpers as if they’re not worthy).

We’ve all got something to prove in this life, but who is your target audience? Yourself, or everyone else.

As my mother used to preach to me growing up, you can’t please everyone. So, I don’t try to. Maybe I’m different in that respect, but things like traveling and wingsuiting and even this blog, all those things are fulfilling a passion of mine – and no matter what happens with the other aspects of my life, I can know that these experiences were for me, and be proud of myself for these accomplishments.

So to all those jumpers out there stressing about which point to prove next (like how many jumps you have or how great a skydiver someone told you that you are) ask yourself this: are you really in this sport for yourself or is it to prove that you’re this awesome, cool skydiver to everyone else? And in the end, does it really matter what everyone else thinks?

Food for thought.

Blue skies!

Ashley