Start where you are
If you are unhappy, start with the body.
If you are uninspired, start with the mind.
If you are unmotivated, start with the heart.
For me, it all begins with the body. As someone who has always exercised, the answer to almost any question can be found in the movement of the body.
A few weeks ago, I woke up with a thought echoing in my mind: “I need to look after myself”. After a very quick self-assessment I realised that I had (kind of) neglected my body. Since I have been moving around non stop, exercising has slipped through the cracks, and suddenly, I couldn’t remember when was the last time I moved my body. We all know the universal truth: the less we do the less we want to do.
The issue with neglecting exercise extends beyond the body; it affects the mind, leading it to feel uninspired, stuck and prone to enter dark mental spaces.
I reached a point where I grew tired of feeling physically weak, experiencing back pain, and hearing my joints move. I found myself making excuses to avoid going for a simple walk, opting instead to stay indoors and read a book (after all, who can resist the allure of a good book?).
My mind, too, felt stuck in a loop. I was getting annoyed because inspiration is not showing up, and spending an unhealthy number of hours staring at my computer with nothing to show up for it.
May 1st was the tipping point. I committed for a 30 day Yoga Challenge.
It was a bit of time in the making (the decision to change, I mean). When you are accustomed to rigorous daily training, easing into simple stretching exercises can feel like climbing Everest!
I had to convince myself that I didn’t need to go to the pool and swim 3 km, I didn’t need to run a half marathon, I didn’t need to go to the gym a start lifting weights. I just needed to start where I was and work my way up.
And so, I started by reconnecting with my body, focusing on my breath, and regaining spatial awareness. Opting for a gentle 30-day yoga challenge seemed like the perfect way to establish a routine, reintroduce daily movement, and reaffirm my commitment to self-care.
It’s day 4 and so far my body is resisting, my brain is resisting, my joins are complaining. Yet, I know this is the path I must tread. By honouring my commitment and starting with gentle practices, I'm rebuilding trust in myself and gradually gaining confidence and strength. As for that 3 km swim? I'm confident I'll get there again.
Feeling stuck and unsure how to move forward? I've been there! I'm here to help. Reach out to me at hello@aitanaforcen.com, and let's start a conversation.
