In the Quiet: What Archery Is Teaching Me About Growth

Watching my son take up archery has taught me more than I ever expected.

At first, it was just another activity. Another sport to try. But it quickly became something more—something deeper.

I’ve learned that precision isn’t about perfection. Every shot won’t hit the bullseye, and that’s okay. Archery is about the process: the stillness before the shot, the breath held, the quiet focus. It’s in those moments I’ve realized how much discipline and calm this sport demands—and how naturally my son is growing into those traits.

Archery has shown me that strength doesn’t always look like pushing harder or going faster. Sometimes, strength looks like patience. Like shaking off a missed shot, taking a breath, and stepping back up. There’s no yelling, no rushing—just quiet resilience. And as a parent, that’s powerful to witness. Especially in a world that moves fast and demands instant results.

It’s taught me something too.

I’ve started to appreciate patience—not just in him, but in myself. I’ve stopped trying to coach from the sidelines or fill the silence with advice. Sometimes the best support is simply being there. A quiet presence. A nod. A deep breath shared before he draws the string.

I’ve learned to let go a little. To trust that he’ll find his own rhythm, that he’ll grow through trial and error. That he doesn’t need me to clear the path—just to walk beside him while he finds his footing.

Mostly, I’ve learned that growth often comes in the quiet. In the pause before release. In the way he strings his bow and stands just a little taller each time.

It turns out, watching someone aim for a target has a way of helping you see more clearly, too.