This spring, my husband and I started taking classes for fun again.

He started with an introductory improv class at Peak Improv Theater, while I took a painting class at Pikes Peak Artist Collective.

Then, we both signed up for classes with the Black Rose Acoustic Society — ear training and Carter-style guitar for him and singing for me. Over the last few months, I’ve watched how we approach our classes and our instructors’ feedback.

My husband jumps in with commitment. He checked out improv books from the library and made improv games a regular part of our family time. He happily practices guitar, completes his assignments and listens to and applies feedback.

I’m engaged in class, but I’ve felt dread between classes. I admit, feedback is tricky for me, and I panic when I know I’m being judged. Fear of feedback — and not being good enough — has gotten in my way.

My expectation that I be good at everything I do is part of the problem. So, I’ve been telling myself I’m allowed to be good at things, but I’m also allowed to suck.

Aside from that mindset shift, I think what I really need is time — time to take things in, to adapt, to settle in.

After a few months of art classes, I reached a tipping point when I knew the instructor and her style and had connected with my classmates. Now, I’m part of a community that I look forward to each week.

If I’d made excuses to not go to class, I wouldn’t have made it to the other side. I wouldn’t have more evidence that, for me, it just takes time to feel safe enough to be myself. If I can be brave and wait things out, I tend to feel better.

With the singing class, I’ve found myself thinking of creative reasons to miss class, but a conversation I had with my son a few days ago helped me to keep showing up.

My son was worried about a presentation he needed to make in front of his fourth-grade class. We talked about what the worst that could happen and what he would do if it happened. I predicted he would make many more presentations in his life and that, with time, he would get more comfortable.

It made me think of how long it took me to get comfortable giving presentations for work and teaching movement classes. It took a while, and that’s OK.

In our speedy world, we can forget that things take time. If we give up too early, we don’t find out what we’re capable of. We don’t gain confidence from doing hard things. We don’t move past discomfort to the enjoyment of a new skill or activity.

So, I’m resolving to give myself time, and I hope you will too.

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Joanna Zaremba is a writer, yoga teacher, and movement and mindset coach. She helps her clients to trust themselves and their bodies. Joanna has lived in the Pikes Peak Region since 2011 and can be reached at joannazaremba@gmail.com.