Getting Back on The Saddle When You Fall Off Track
I remember when I would teach my students Pilates, after they came back from two or three weeks off for vacation, and they would be struggling a little bit with the exercises and really wishing they hadn’t taken a break! As they grunted and winced their way through the exercise, I would always tell them these feelings are normal, and that we accept wherever we are today with our bodies. It is what it is, and this can be uncomfortable! I get it. We expect to automatically excel, and when we take a break, our movements, our mental sharpness might not be at the level we want…at first.
When we take a longer break from an activity or habit, let’s say, months or years, we automatically think it’s like riding a bike, and that we’ll be able to jump right back into doing it. Part of this is true; It’s like riding a bike in that we don’t completely forget since it is in our memory, however, we feel rusty!
When this happens, some of us (like myself!) can get frustrated when our progress is not going as fast as we had hoped. So, I wanted to share a positive reframes that seems to help me get out of that spiral of negative self-talk that can come up when we feel that discomfort of going back to an activity after a long break, and want to feel good again.
Get clarity. What are your reasons for doing this activity in the first place? Are you putting needless pressure to be the best of the best, or are you here for enjoyment, community, or stress relief? Getting clear about your reasons will help you put it into perspective so you can be gentler with yourself and your progress.
Track your progress in a way that inspires you. Some use a tracker like a Fitbit or make a note/mark on the calendar, and this simple act can be very motivating and make you feel better about your progress. Tracking in a way where you write down how you feel after doing the new habit/activity or journaling about what you’ve been learning can be inspiring.
How does this hobby bring joy into my life? This question helps me get back into focus and realize it is progress, not perfection I'm looking for. I look at my activities as ways to express my creativity and to have fun and play. These are qualities I want to grow in myself through practice and enjoying the process.
How can I make this process more enjoyable? This can bring up some fun ideas on how you can still get back to your activity with more fun and ease! I am always surprised at what solution comes up with this question. No need for drudgery when you can have fun instead.
Do you have any positive mindset shifts or positive things you tell yourself when you are getting back on to the saddle again? Hit reply and let me know!
