Would it be copying if I took up swimming like my brother did?

Lol no. If that’s considered copying then that means your brother is copying everyone else too. Just do it.

If you want to do it, don’t worry about what your brother or anyone else will think. You are doing it for yourself - to better yourself at something. Don’t let anything stop you from doing that. Go for it and enjoy yourself!

Suppose it was the other way around and you were the older brother who had taken up swimming first… Wouldn’t he have also gone after swimming despite you having had the interest before him? You should do it because you want to.

Who cares?

I know that sounds pretty harsh and blunt, and I don’t mean it to be, but the point still stands - who cares if he thinks you’re “copying”? You have every right to get involved in an activity that appeals to you, regardless of whether your brother or any other family member did it first. You are your own person, with your own interests, and sometimes those interests may overlap the interests of others - that’s simply humanity. If your brother has any anxiety over it, then that’s his problem … you do what makes you happy and quit worrying about everyone else.

It doesn’t sound harsh, it sounds like good advice

no its not. if u enjoy it and want to its not.

This is a very common problem for any children born after the eldest child. The eldest child always gets to do things first- they get to do everything first so the other children are left with nothing that doesn’t look like copying. You wouldn’t be copying at all, swimming is a very common sport and hobby. It’s not like you randomly decides to take up curling or skeleton sleding after your brother!! Go for it, he doesn’t OWN swimming! You have 100% every right to take up whatever sport you want. Aaaaand with some practice you could be very good at it- you say your bro was on of the best in the swim team? Well you have the same genes!!

If you want to swim, swim. It’s your life and you only get to live it once. You’re brother will get over it.

besides…maybe your brother would be willing to help you out since he’s so good.