Appearances can be deceiving, same with our expectations

Today I decided to go out for my run despite the ominous clouds rolling in on the horizon. As my run progressed, the skies opened up and so did my mind and spirit. Sometimes, now, I am struggling to get out as much. My routine I had been building pre-COVID suddenly slowed way down, and I have been searching for my new routine ever since. I am still determined, however, to keep moving forward - not just in my running - but in other aspects of my life as well.

Our routines, and the search for new rhythms in routines, can keep us going even when it looks a little rough and uncertain out there. The ability to rely on our routines might be more in question right now given our new realities, and this might cause some people to just be waiting for things to normalize, so they can get back to their old routines. I see a problem in that kind of thinking though. Sitting back and waiting will not help us now and will not prepare us for what’s next. The way I see it is, either you are stopped and stagnant, or you are moving forward and growing. If you do nothing, essentially you are saying I won’t. I won't learn, I won’t grow. There is no moving backwards, either you have given up and you have stopped, or you are willing to take some risks and move forward.

I don't want to sound harsh, and certainly there are some very challenging situations affecting people's mental health and physical well-being right now. We all need to be safe and take precautions, but I urge you not to give in right now or give up. The routines you are fighting to find right now, as painful and scary as they might be at times, are critically important for your well-being. This isn't just about physical routines either.

Innovations come from having to solve problems in a time that is uncomfortable and restricted. I am learning how to make videos and post to YouTube, for example. NBD right!? I mean there's millions of people doing this, but here’s the point - every new small step we each take is growth and learning. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge this. Don’t compare yourself to someone else. This is about your growth and journey. So celebrate each step you take forward!

Repetition in routines may seem nauseating at times, or even too challenging at times to continue given our new realities; however, over time they help us to measure our progress, even if very slowly. Regular routines help our thoughts and actions because over time they are pressed, tested, and even scrutinized - if we share them publicly. The resulting changes become part of our new mindset and encourage us to go on, even when we don't feel like doing so.

It might seem contradictory, but being connected to others can inspire us in our routines. Don't compare your progress to others, but be inspired by them! Two educators that I follow, (@datruss and @kellywchris) post regularly about their shoulder press/handstand routine challenge, as well as educational leadership writings. What I notice, when I follow other educators who share daily like this, are the small, incremental changes that become noticeable over time. This actually encourages me to reflect on my own progress and keep moving forward. I am not doing my own shoulder press challenge, but some days in seeing their posts, it's what gets me off the couch and lifts my spirits to try again and go out for a run.

Sometimes it may seem like we are moving backwards when we post a slower time, can't do as many reps, or generally we aren't doing as much as we did before. Today was supposed to be my marathon run day - 42 KM. I stopped my intense training when COVID hit, so I was not in any shape to sustain that distance today. But I did run 15 KM, and it was amazing to be outside and enjoying my run. I have run much further before, I have run farther, but I did run 15 KM today. I'm learning to appreciate the progress I am making over time. I actually have a spreadsheet where I'm tracking my progress. It might be deflating if I compare my results over the past couple of months, but a year ago I couldn't even run 1 KM without stopping. If I didn't go out today I would have posted 0 KM. It's all about perspective.

Appearances can be deceiving, same with our expectations. Don't worry if you did less today than you might have last week or last month. Taking time to re-evaluate is good, but don't stop there. Adapt. Change. Learn. Grow. Take action...and don't be afraid to get back out there, even when it looks or feels a little dark and scary.