First PWBA - What do I do Next?🩷

Hey baddies 💖

Yesterday was my first ever PWBA PTQ event — right here in Topeka, Kansas.

And honestly? There’s a lot to say, and a lot to think about. But I'm keeping it short.

First of all — I bowl a lot of tournaments because I love it. It’s fun, it makes me happy, and I just love bowling. I don't bowl on sport shots often and if I do its against other men.

Second, I bowl lots of leagues. And the centers I bowl at? Notorious for being dry. Like, the whole lane hooks. I never really have to play near the right, and I’ve realized: I’m a product of my environment.

Third (I promise I’m getting to the point): this event was close to home. And I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if I didn’t take advantage of it.

Now to the real point — I was not ready.

I haven’t bowled on real sport patterns since like... 2019. The day before the tournament, I practiced for 3 hours and ended up calling my mum crying because I just didn’t feel ready. I didn’t even know what to work on, besides release, timing, and spares — the same things I always practice.

But I still did it. And it was hard.

It was a little embarrassing (to me anyway). And by the end of the six games, I had a tension headache from clenching my jaw so much.

It was just... hard.

People told me, “It’s a learning experience.” And yes — it absolutely is.

Did I learn what I need to work on? Yeah. Most people said, “You shouldn’t feel sad — it was your first ever event,” and “It’s okay.”

And they’re right. It is okay. I was proud of myself for doing it. But that night, lying in bed, I let myself admit: that sucked. And that’s okay too. I didn’t try to fix it right away. I didn’t tell myself to move on. I just let myself feel all the motions I needed to.

Today, I feel okay.

So here’s what I’m taking away:

✨ Learn how to bowl with urethane – I have one but I don’t like it much. I’m going to try a few more and figure out what works. - A friend at the event told me that I am good enough to use urethane, so we will see!
✨ My footwork felt OFF – it always kind of does. But it’s time to figure it out for real and stop letting it determine the difference between a good shot and a bad one.
✨ Ask my local centers to lay down patterns for me so I can be in different areas of the lane – If I'm going to spend the time and money to do things like this, it's time to be prepared. I’m not sponsored. I don’t have a coach. But I can ask for help. People want to help, more than we think.
✨ Work on different hand positions – I tried something totally new at this event and while it wasn’t perfect, I’m proud of myself for recognizing the need and having the courage to try it.
✨ Still gotta work on spares – I used to use my spare ball for everything. Now, not so much. But for events like this? I need to. Missed 2 single pins because of that. More practice to come.
✨ Gratitude – I’m lucky to compete at this level. I’m lucky to have people who support me. And I’m just so grateful.

I love this sport. I always have. This is what I’ve wanted to do my whole life. I let myself feel my emotions last night, and then I let them go.

Onward and upward 🩷

Now - mental health for athletes is very important. Please please don't ever feel like it is the end of the world when something doesn't go the way you wanted or how you thought it would. You are okay, you are good enough, and you will be great. Keep you head up!

I'm going to share my journey on all these points listed above to hold myself accountable and I just hope you learn something or feel inspired!

Thank you for listening, baddies.

xxx