My first obsession, and I’m showing my age here, was with the World Cup 90 sticker folder. You had to buy the binder first, then you had to buy every issue, which had every team pack in it, plus bonus features like Great World Cup goals. Then, you had to fill it with stickers of the players, and you traded them with your mates to get them all.
It took up most of my days in the first half of 1990. I should have been thinking about maths or geography, but instead I’d spend the time staring out the window wondering if my mate James would give me Roberto Donadoni for 2 Lubomir Moravciks.
As I got into my teens, obsessions moved on. Music, girls of course, lifting weights, eventually martial arts. The thing about all of them was that every time I got obsessed with something, there was always someone telling me how unhealthy it was. It’s not good to be obsessed, they reckon.
And of course, if it’s at the expense of other things like work or family, obsession can be damaging as you get older. But when you’re young, it’s different. You can chase down rabbit holes without consequence. Some of them can be really interesting.
Anyway, I thought about this the other day when a parent told me that their teenage son was obsessed with Jiu Jitsu now. He watches YouTube videos constantly, all of his social media follows are Jiu Jitsu fighters and accounts, and he talks about it constantly. He never misses training. He loves it. He’s obsessed!
His Dad faked irritation, but he’s chuffed. And why wouldn’t he be? If you’ve got to be obsessed with something, why not make it the best obsession? Why not make it something that impacts your life positively.
There are enough people out there telling you to play it safe. Why not get a bit obsessed?
Like for example, I still need Roberto Donadoni. Will swap Roger Milla and Vasily Rats. Drop me an email.
See you on the mat.
Barry
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