Are you having trouble finding the energy to practice rehearse, or even just to get up?
The energy in the world is all over the place. Things are happening that we never thought possible in our lifetime–and while the veil is finally being pulled back, its perfectly valid to acknowledge how EXHAUSTING it can be. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been on multiple sides of the industry. Recently I’ve noticed the effect that current events are having on my students and I. My students and I are having a harder time focusing, being motivated, and showing up for themselves.
It’s not because we are lazy. It’s because the energy surrounding us has been so heavy recently–heavier than a lot of us are used to–and it affects us. So today, I want to give you a few gentle reminders to help you understand and address these feelings (and to stop beating yourself up about it!)
1. You don’t have an unlimited supply of energy.
You are not a machine. All human beings need rest. A lot of energy is being spent on missing our friends and family, figuring out our new way of life, and honestly just surviving. You shouldn’t beat yourself up because you aren’t living up to the expectations that you think that your instructor has for you.
Life ebbs and flows. Don’t assume expectations and don’t expect yourself to have the same level of energy every moment of every day.
2. You don’t need a reason to feel the way that you feel.
So often when we feel down we berate ourselves because we “have no reason to feel this way”. Why do we need a reason? Our emotions are always coming from somewhere even if we don’t understand where that somewhere is. It’s okay to just feel without a logical explanation.
3. It’s okay to sit in your feelings.
In fact, it’s encouraged. We often feel “negative” emotions and bury them in order to move on with our lives. The thing about doing that is that you’re never allowing yourself to release that emotion. Over time, other things build on top of it and begin to affect us in worse and worse ways.
It’s like an injury. If you treat the injury itself, the healing process can take place. If you take advil to avoid feeling the injury, you will likely make it worse–at the very least, the injury won’t go away or get any better.
Feel your feelings. It’s okay to cry.
4. Productivity and growth is relative.
We are often told that we need to be doing a million things right now to grow and to be valuable members of society. In colorguard land, this can be seen in corrections. Most of the time if we are having trouble with a skill, there’s a few things going on that need to be fixed. However, if you focus on fixing all of those things at once, nothing will get better. In fact, it may get worse.
Things take time. Sometime growth comes from taking some time off. Which brings us to the last point…
5. It’s okay to take a break.
A lot of times taking a season off is looked down upon. We fear that we’ll lose our skill, lose the connections that we have with our team, or just miss out on some incredible opportunities.
While I can’t promise that those things won’t happen, I can say that burnout if very real in ALL aspects of your life, even in things you enjoy. You need a break sometimes, for both your mental and physical health. Who cares what other people think? Do what’s best for you. If you keep going and grow to resent it or make your injuries worse, you’ll have to take time off anyway. So why not just take the break now?
You are not a robot. Your instructors don’t expect you to be one and you certainly shouldn’t expect that of yourself.
Take a breath.
It’s okay.
