How Baseball Shaped the Way I Think About Growth

When I look back at my years playing baseball, I realize that the biggest lessons didn’t come from winning games — they came from managing pressure, failure, and the moments when nothing was going my way. At the time, I saw baseball as just something I enjoyed doing. Still, now that I am studying psychology and wellness, I realize how much it has influenced the way I think and handle different situations. Baseball constantly puts me in situations where my mindset matters more than my actual physical skill. In fact, sports psychologists often describe baseball as one of the most mentally demanding sports because of its slow pace and constant buildup of anticipation.

One thing baseball definitely taught me early on was resilience. You fail more than you succeed, striking out, missing plays, and making mistakes. When you're younger, all of that feels bigger than it actually is, but eventually, you learn to step back into the batter’s box with the same confidence. That small moment alone already teaches you emotional control and mental toughness without you realising it. I didn’t know it then, but baseball was teaching me how to reset after setbacks, breathe through pressure, and build habits that protect your mindset.

Baseball also taught me about discipline and consistency. It also taught me how being patient is essential in life. Baseball can be a slow game sometimes; it takes patience, courage, and the right mentality to win. You can’t get better unless you show up — even when it’s early, even when you’re tired, even when yesterday’s practice went terribly. That same consistency shows up in my everyday life now, especially with my mental health routines and the habits I try to build. What I learned in the field translates into how I approach studying, relationships, and wellness today.

As I continue building Aziz Wellbeing, I keep coming back to the idea that growth isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up again after something doesn’t go your way. That’s precisely what baseball taught me. The sport has helped shape how I understand motivation, patience, and long-term development, and it still influences how I think about mental wellness today. Without baseball, I would not be the person I am today. It helped shape my thinking, improved my mental clarity, and allowed me to react calmly to any situation I may encounter in the future. I have so much to give from what I learned in this world so far, thank you for taking the time to read this blog, I hope my insights have benefited you.