I want to talk about something that is a tough subject – especially for women – and I came face to face with it recently.
Last week, I taught seven cycle classes in three days (which I do not recommend). After my seventh class I walked out of the studio and plopped down next to my friend on the bench. He said, “How was class?” I told him that it wasn’t that great, that I was just feeling weak and tired overall. His response is what fueled this post. He said, “Well yeah you should feel tired, you’ve taught 7 cycle classes in 3 days.” Those words hit me hard because that thought literally never even crossed my mind. I was over here disappointed in my body for feeling weak. I was thinking where could I have improved my nutrition, my sleep, my recovery so that I could be better? It never once crossed my mind that maybe I feel weak because I have been pushing myself to new limits. So why do we do that? Why don’t we ever just give ourselves credit for the work we do? We are always so busy chasing the next thing – so busy comparing ourselves to the next person that we forget to stop and give ourselves some credit? I think this is across the board with women and I want to break it down.
I think there have only been a handful of times in my life that I have actually been proud of myself. And by proud I don’t mean give yourself a pat on the back, I mean full body chills // overwhelming joy // a moment that makes you stop in your tracks and drop your head into your hands and cry.
1. The 2 year anniversary of City Cycle (30% of small businesses fail within the first two years)
2. The moment I was able to provide health insurance for my employee
3. When I won Classpass Instructor of the Year
Now there were plentyyyy of other moments in between that I should be proud of myself for. Other moments that actually took more work than those three. Graduating college? Opening my own business? Becoming an ambassador for lululemon? In my eyes, I never saw those things as accomplishments – I never gave myself credit for those things. I never saw opening my business as a huge step because so many other people in the world have done it before. Graduating college was a huge accomplishment, but all my other friends were doing it so in my mind it was just something we all went through. I was just trying to keep up with other people. I was just trying to win. I was just trying to compete with the world. It was rare that I put competition aside and just recognized my work as something that made me love myself and something that fueled my purpose for living. I think that is something we all struggle with. Comparing ourselves to other people instead of connecting ourselves to other people.
Embarrassing moment – I taught a class once and at the end of class I realized the crotch of my leggings had ripped open. Legit, underwear out for the world to see – I was MORTIFIED. When I realized this after class, I asked my friend, “How did you not tell me?!” She said, “Oh I didn’t notice at all – I was too focused on what I was doing and not looking dumb.” I realized no one was judging me because they themselves were too focused on not being judged! So, if no one notices each other because we’re all too insecure about what we look like and what we are doing – how are we supposed to connect with each other?
I think behind every person’s clothes, Instagram, makeup – we just want to feel connected to something. So if one class at a time, or one instagram post at a time, or one day at a time we try to focus less on ourselves and more on who is in front of us, we can give each other a little bit more perspective of how amazing our accomplishments are. Your accomplishment doesn’t have to be opening a business or graduating college. It can be showing up for a workout class when you feel insecure about your ability to do the workout. It can be going on a date after you had your heart ripped out. It can be not eating dessert when all your friends are at dinner. Whatever your accomplishments are – celebrate them. I don’t’ care who you are, what you wear, or how athletic you are – when you are working towards something – I am rooting for you (hand clap emoji)!
