Measuring Sticks
We’ve been in quarantine for six months. Although it can be hard to stay motivated, keeping up with skills we love or starting a new skill you never had time for can bring us joy. In the habit of sticking with your habit, perhaps there are ways of seeing improvements that act like measuring sticks to our personal development. What have you stuck with during this time that brings you happiness? Are you learning a new skill? Six months later, how can you tell you are better at it? This measurement can assess whether you are creating small (or big) positive changes. Having to eat every meal at home has upped people’s cooking skills and dinner is more delicious. Maybe you have been able to rest more, and you feel better for it. Having a measuring stick during this time can bring us some personal satisfaction and success that can fill our spirit with resolve to keep moving us forward with inspiration.
I have kept up my joy of movement. That included dance, Pilates, yoga, stretching, and walking. I also have more time for it. I went back on the reformer after being five months away from it. Not only did it feel fantastic, but the work felt much deeper. Why? Take any apparatus away for 5 months, and continue to exercise with the only support being the floor. All you have is gravity and your body. The reformer was my measuring stick on how much stronger I got during this time, despite being away from the studio.
Reassessing Center
One of my personal discoveries: I really wasn’t engaging my lower abs consistently. You know how I found that? I started making videos, watched them, and saw it! It is so true you are your own best teacher, in whatever skill you want to develop. On a non fitness side note, I started to learn the art of makeup. It’s always something I wanted to learn that I am not skilled at and didn’t make time for, and it has been fun!
How are you finding new ways you have grown - what is your measuring stick? How are you being your own teacher? If you have a quarantine fitness habit (I hope), what does it continue to look like? There is so much to be angry and stressed about right now, but we can still measure our personal growth to create satisfaction, and make the best of this time. Take time to acknowledge your growth of a new skill or deepening of an existing one.