What are you REALLY good at?

[CouldBeMe]

I've changed my name, btw...didn't know where to put this, not a "real" feeling low sort of thing, but anyway.
Sometimes I feel a little "useless", I have a lovely young son and I guess I should be proud of myself for the way he is turning out, but sometimes I just feel crap at everything.
I wish there was something I was really Good at. I'm OK at cooking, nothing special. Can't sew. Not very imaginative at crafts. Musically I tried for years at the guitar but gave that up when pregnant (I'm left-handed and was taught from school on a right-handed guitar, which is probably why). Don't think I'm very good at making friends, I used to be very shy but am more confident, but no matter how many people I speak to, a real deep friendship never develops.
Maybe its because I had a bad day at work yesterday, a young girl half my age was helping me out, a novice, and I felt she did the job 10 times better than me. Felt a waste of space.
Just a moan really, sorry.

I often think this - that I have no one thing. But then just ringing a relative when they are feeling down and cheering them up is something that is invaluable. As is looking after your young son. Just taking pride in the little things can help - like making a friend laugh for example.

there is something you're good at....for a start being open as a person and honest enough to admit to your failings as you see them....

what did you excel at in school, spare time, what is the thing your family say is good about you....everyone is unique and has an equally important role to play in society, some more prominent than others....you sound like you are lacking in confidence..

Im the same as you but dont feel low about it. Dh has to be the best at everything he does so he is a fabulous chef, great at rugby, plays guitar fantastically and is a bit of a perfectionist.

Me....mmm.....I dont sew, cook brilliantly, am not arty, dont read intelligent books or watch deep films. I enjoy chick flicks, trashy magazines, watching Friends and playing with ds. I am the sort of person who will participate in something for the laugh.....not to win.

I do have a fabulous little boy so maybe that is what I am good at!! (The next one is due in 4 weeks and will prob be as ugly as sin!!)

Just enjoy life and your children and put the kettle on!!

I dont make friends easily. Am better with male company than female company too. No help to you but I thought I would say hello.

Collision are you me?! This describes me exactly "I enjoy chick flicks, trashy magazines, watching Friends and playing with ds." and if you love TV like Big Brother and The X-factor I will get worried!!

Well collision you can always put a bag on his head when you go out hun if he is

CouldBeMe I go on courses to learn a new skill every so often and have found I'm goodish at a few things. The more things you try the more chance you have of finding a new skill/gift. You could be a good counsellor/helper/volunteer if you went for it. Like Lavender2 said you're very open and that's a gift in itself.

Bet you are brilliant at something..

I am actually a very good dancer (nearly was a professional ... long ago)

It is the only situation I NEVER feel out of my depths...and many many people are very surprised when I strutt my stuff at the mums xmas disco ... as they had me down as a boring/ past it/has been, who has nought to offer.!!!!

I really believe ..Everyone has a light to shine... somewhere.
You light is there. just find it again.

What made you buzz when you were younger? (sorry u may be young!!)

nevertheless I think.. whoever you are this is a VERY interesting thread.. suggests an inquisitive mind.. are you/ could you be a journalist or writer?

I'm you then Vic17. Do you openly admit to the BB thing? I do but get some real looks at times.

I sometimes feel like i am not particularly good at anything - some people are not NATURALLY talented. You should prehaps set yourself a goal and really try to teach yourself something/ go to nightschool/ join a club if thats what you fancy. Anything i am good at i have had to MAKE myself good at. I look at the things that i can realistically achieve ie be a good mother, cook meals the family like, be a good listener to someone who is upset etc etc sorry if i am rambling but i do know how you feel couldbeme. I didnt think i was that mathematically minded and i went to college and studied accountancy and realised i enjoyed it and was actually quite good at it ... surprised DH (a Chartered accountant) and everyone else!

I do openly admit to it and have the BB1 video and book on my shelves in the lounge

I know what you mean Tessiebear - I was convinced that I couldn't cook a roast, spag bol or rice but after a few trys I found out I could!!

I felt very much like that a few years back. I have lots of interests but master of none. Now I have fewer hobbies which I really enjoy and I worry less if I don't excel at them. As a result, I'm naturally improving almost by stealth - and I'm considering taking one of them further into a career!

Could you perhaps do what my MIL did/does - sign up to a different evening class each year until you find something you love? MIL ended up collecting quite a few A-levels in the process! Plus, the added advantage that you have the opportunity to make friends with similar interests.

tessiebear.. I reckon everyone has a talent... it is just some are more recognized than others.

for eg.. a pal of mine is a brilliant homemaker.. and her place is always tidy/clean welcoming and stress free.

she has no qualifications, career and nothing obvious to record on paper etc... but she is 'buzzing' in her own element.

Everyone has something to offer .. it is the case of finding what it is, and the confidence to follow through.

CouldbeMe - of course you are good at something. For one thing you are a good Mummy and let's face it, we all know that's no small feat!!

Thanks for all the lovely replies, a real encouragement, I must say. I think I had a crap day at work which triggered it off, but Collision you have a good outlook, I like that (sure baby no. 2 will be a stunner!).

You have all given me some great ideas - I was mulling over volunteering at ds's school and I'm going to go for that now, and I always enjoyed languages but let them slide years ago, so I could pick up where I left off.

Thanks again to you all.

(RegularPoster, was this the kind of meaningless thread you were talking about? I guess you shouldn't be reading it then.)

that's brill to hear and cheered me up after that other thread

There was an article I read about this a while back - trhink they called it imposter syndrome which s where women either think that someone was watching and judging them or that they were about to be tapped on the shoulder and sent back to school. Men needless to say don't suffer.....

As for me - I'm pretty good at tickling babies, brilliant at reading trash novels, world-class at wine drinking and just about average at everything else. As long as I fool my boss then I'm happy.

Just when I feel like I am useless for whatever reason I remember how much my kids love my cuddles, how I can park a car, anywhere, in any space (DH can't tee hee), and I can cook pasta to perfection everytime.

That's all the talent's I have and when things I try go wrong (like DS's disastrous birthday cake) I think "well, I tried and he loves it and THAT is what matters".

Aren't we hard on ourselves though?