Riding Out The Mid January Dip
One Thought
Mid-January is a funny place to be, don’t you think?
Any excitement from a fresh start has eased off, routines are settling in and many of us start to quietly question whether we can keep going on the well intentioned path we only recently started.
I think this part of the year is meant to feel a little tough.
This isn’t unusual, nothing is wrong, you’re not falling behind, you haven’t fallen ‘off’.
You’re simply moving from intention into reality. It’s hard. This is always the point where progress actually begins.
Rowing taught me that rhythm isn’t built in the first strokes of a training session.
It’s built once the excitement and energy of the start fades and you transition, steady yourself and commit to getting stuck in.
That’s where change happens and confidence grows. That’s where strength and fitness develops. That’s where races are won. It’s where calm is needed.
So if the last couple of weeks haven’t been perfect…good.
Perfection was never the aim.
The aim is momentum. Small, almost forgettable steps that get you started and quietly add up.
Today, mid-January, is the perfect time to recognise this and keep moving.
One Stroke
I’m going to give you a task. Don’t worry, it’s easy…
Pause right now, right where you are and take three slow breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth.
Drop your shoulders.
Relax your jaw.
Feel your feet on the floor.
This is a resetting practice that can shift the mood and trajectory of your day. It’s something I’ve learnt to do on the rowing machine and am starting to bring into daily life.
When things start to get tough, when I’m questioning myself, I connect my mind to my breath.
It instantly grounds me. Brings me into reality, not the imagined stress, pain or distress that I’ve found myself focussing on.
It creates opportunity to choose one action that will help me manage the rowing better - a technique reminder or a change in body position.
You can try this right here.
Choose one tiny action that helps you feel the way you want.
It could be anything - A thought, an activity, a task, a smile, a laugh, a word.
Try it, practice it, see what happens!
One Quote
“It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” ~ Confucius
Keep up the great work,
