Image: Dragon Ball Z
I have a client who recently explained a scenario where they took some time to step back and look inwards to learn more about their identity before moving forward. In their case, it was a few months in the off-season to discover themself with a focus on how they want to show up in the world and how they want to express themself on their snowboard. For them it looked like daily journaling, writing affirmations each morning, saying no to a lot of things… overall, they were making the space to fit into their true self.
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They explained that this introspective time was kind of similar to when Goku from Dragon Ball Z was in the medical machine, or ‘restoration chamber,’ similarly focused solely on healing and growth. And given their more recent success, it seemed to have worked for them. They were comfortable in their body, and they were also stomping super high-level tricks as their warm-up. It was clear that they were becoming more confident in who they are, and that translated on-snow.
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This moment reminded me of how important it is to set aside time to heal and grow. Specifically, to heal and grow over all else.
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Prioritizing yourself is usually uncomfortable and uncommon, and it’s never “easy.” It involves disrupting the social systems that exist in each of our lives; the systems in which we hold accountability and maintain roles within. With everything that the average human being has going on, making time to step back isn’t always possible. Does that mean we just don’t do it? Or does it mean we need to get creative?
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Regardless and in almost any case, it is my belief that we can and should take a moment for ourselves over all else. Over time I’ve come to realize how important self-care is in any and every circumstance; you can’t pour from an empty cup.
As a mental performance coach I advocate for my performers. It’s advocacy for them to learn about themself, to build their own version of the mental tools I provide, and for them to prioritize their well-being, growth, and healing over all else. This approach compliments my client’s recent experience. They were advocating for themself; something I want all of my athletes and performers to feel comfortable doing, while knowing that I’m there doing the same.
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So if this is our mentality, how could we go about this?
Identify and prioritize your restoration chambers. Essentially, this is about exercising mindfulness and adding in some behaviors:
[Healing] Identify what heals you - find what restores you
I.e. going for a mindful walk in the morning; calling your best friend
[Energy] Identify what fills your cup - find what energizes you
I.e. being social early in the day; spending time being present with your dog
[Prioritize] Find time in each day for restoration - add rejuvenating behaviors
Make the time to heal, it’s always well spent. This is self-advocacy.
For me, this conversation with my client renewed the rhythm of adding [intentional] healing into my daily life. It’s important to note that everyone has a different bandwidth for and approach to healing; go with the thing that makes you say “yup” to yourself right away when you think about it. In my athletes’ case, they were fortunate to have 2-3 months of off-season time where they could be wholly dedicated to the goal. For most of us, sprinkling these behaviors into our daily lives will compound and ultimately get us there.
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More than anything, this post is a reminder to prioritize your healing. Find what heals you and pay attention to what fills your cup. Then, make the space for it.
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Methods for healing can and should change. Focus on what will be helpful in this moment. For me right now, it’s playing music, swimming, mindful self-compassion exercises, and going on walks.
What about you?
Stay well,
☀︎ Mike