Kelly Noonan

Kelly Noonan Instagram – My Malibu tennis team traveled to @usta Sectionals this weekend. The overwhelming feeling for me was nostalgia. I have been an athlete and a competitor since I was 5 years old. Competing in two matches a day reminded me of the hundreds of weekends I traveled to soccer tournaments, tennis tournaments, and softball tournaments when I was younger. My body was sweaty and sore. We got rain delayed and I bonded with my teammates during the breaks. I truly felt like a teenager again. The greatest part was acknowledging a new mental maturity that I didn’t have as a kid. Even though I lost the first two matches (and I HATE losing) I was given the opportunity to witness the critical voice within and realize how much air time I’ve given it over the years. Now I can hear it, hold it with compassion, recognize it as residual programming of perfectionism which resulted from my childhood dynamics, and shake it off. I can come back to the present moment and refocus on the task at hand rather than spiral down into a frustrated mess of self criticism and doubt, caused by unmet expectations of a delusional fantasy of perfection and a brutal cycle of self judgment. That voice is very convincing and debilitating. If I wasn’t playing well (which was too often for my fragile ego) I used gratitude to shift my energy quickly and get back into the zone. I thanked God that I am healthy, athletic, and have the opportunity to compete and have fun with a great group of women on both sides of the net. My grip would relax, my shoulders would drop, my lungs would expand, my smile would return. I wasn’t taught these tools as a kid, but it’s never too late to learn, grow, compete, and generate joy and vitality through sports (or anything that lights you up). I’m a work in progress, but everyday it’s me competing against an older version of me to upgrade the software (and hardware!) to become the best, highest, and most loving, kick ass version of me. I love winning, but losing presents the opportunity and discomfort that applies the heat and pressure to propel us toward and polish us into the greatest version of US. Shout out to our fearless coach @dinamcbride6 & captain @candacekellymalibu 🎾🤍 | Posted on 22/Jan/2024 03:29:24