We often hear about the stages of learning—beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert—like a ladder we’re expected to climb. But what if the true secret is that you never really need to leave the first step? What if the labels themselves are illusions, and the only thing that really matters is the joy of beginning, again and again?
In the world of tango, I’ve always called myself a beginner. Even though I’ve been dancing for a while, and some might say I’ve reached a level beyond the basics, that label has never felt right to me. I’m happy being a beginner. In fact, I love it. Because in the beginner’s mindset, every moment feels new, every step holds potential, and there’s no pressure to be anything other than curious.
I have friends who play the violin. Some of them can bring a room to tears with their music, yet they still call themselves beginners. Not because they aren’t skilled, but because they’re in love with the discovery of each note, with the way their fingers find the strings, as if for the first time. It’s not about mastering the instrument. It’s about staying open to the experience, letting the music emerge without forcing it into categories like “advanced” or “expert.”
Even in language learning, I’ve seen the same magic. I might understand more than just a few phrases, maybe even engage in conversation, but I still call myself a beginner. Not out of modesty, but because I don’t want to lose the joy of playing with words, making mistakes, and learning in the way a child does—effortlessly, with curiosity and no concern for labels. I see it with others too, those who dive into a new language and allow themselves the freedom to be learners forever, finding joy in the simplest expressions.
What I’ve noticed, and what has become clearer with time, is that as long as I remain a beginner, the next stages—intermediate, advanced, whatever you want to call them—seem to come to me. I don’t chase them. I simply keep exploring, enjoying the place I’m in, and one day, without realizing it, I’m doing things I didn’t know I could do. But still, I’m just beginning, because there’s always something new to discover.
The beauty of this mindset is that it allows you to grow without ever feeling the burden of ‘getting better’ or ‘measuring up.’ You start to see that progress isn’t something you have to push toward. It happens naturally when you’re immersed in the present moment, playing, exploring, and allowing yourself to be a beginner, no matter how far you’ve come.
In tango, the dance flows more freely when I stop worrying about technique and just enjoy the connection with my partner. In violin, the most beautiful pieces are often played with the heart of someone who feels they’re still learning, open to the next surprise. In language, fluency sneaks in not when I focus on grammar rules, but when I’m simply excited to communicate, to express myself however I can.
So why worry about shedding the label of a beginner? It’s the only label you’ll ever need. Because when you stay a beginner, you’re free. Free to learn, free to explore, free to grow without limits or expectations. And in that freedom, you might just find that intermediate and advanced are waiting for you to invite them into your playful world. But you’ll still just be beginning, enjoying the dance of learning as if it’s your first step.
