GETTING INTO THE SWING OR BACK IN THE SADDLE

The feeling of getting into the swing of something new or getting back in the saddle after being out of something for a long time can be invigorating. However, making the decision to actually start or return can prove to be overwhelming, to the point where we sometimes just ‘can’t even’.

It can be a daunting prospect to move out, to walk into a psychologist for the first time or say ‘yes’ to that new job opportunity. Weirdly, it can also be as hard to go back to a job after having a break from it for some time, to enter the dating scene after a heartbreak or to start back on that healthy eating plan you used to successfully follow years ago.

I had that feeling recently when I decided to go back to the gym after not being there for 18 months. I’d been a consistent gym goer for 20 or so years, happily going 3-4 times a week initially. But as I got older and life got busier, I found that 3-4 times a week became 2-3 times and then once a week, until eventually I got out of the habit completely.

But why was it so hard to go back?

Why did it take me so long to get back into a rhythm that I was previously so familiar with, enjoyed doing, and knew was good for me?

It took some reflection to work out what was stopping me and then, more importantly, it took some careful thought to work out what that catalyst would be to help me get back into the saddle.

I’d love to offer a ‘3 simple ways to get started’ list, but in my experience what serves to get me over the line one time won’t necessarily work next time .

Sometimes we may need to personally dig deep and ‘just do it’; other times we may need to get a friend to partner with us (as I did in this case), or enlist the services of a coach () to work with us to help us achieve our goals.

ENCOURAGEMENT:

Could this be the month when we work out what our catalyst will be for THAT thing we want to start or return to?

Let’s get in that swing or back in that saddle and …

Make that phone call.

Buy those joggers.

Sign up for that course.

Clean that room.

Say YES to that opportunity.