You guys,
It wasn’t until a friend told me I hated running that I realized I hated running.
I was offended for a split second. I took pride in identifying as a runner. I earned that title with all the miles I had put in.
But I never ran for pleasure. When the team sports were over, running’s sole purpose was to burn calories.
I’d give myself a pep talk every day to get motivated for runs. I dreaded it. I put it off. In order to have energy I needed to eat a substantial amount of food. That sometimes led to a binge. Which led to self-loathing and berating myself until I forced myself out of the door, tacking on extra miles as punishment.
My runs were lonely.
I remember my friend’s comment so vividly because it served as an impetus for change. It wasn’t a dig or meant to make me feel bad in any way. It was simply an observation. One that allowed me to see myself from a different perspective and realize, “Wow, I do hate running.”
It didn’t happen all at once, but I slowly started to view workouts differently.
Now I love them. I love the way my body feels during and after a workout. I love the stretches of yoga and the balance of barre and blasting a playlist of my favorite songs while I lip sync to myself in the mirror.
It’s okay to identify as something as long as we leave space to change our minds. If we are always changing and growing some of those things will stay the same and some won’t.
I no longer identify as a runner. I also no longer identify as a Giants’ fan or a movie buff. But some people still see me as all those things.
Pay attention to the people who embrace your changes. Those are the ones who will support and encourage you. Those are the ones who will lift you up. Those are your people.
Essay of the Week
During my Annual Review I did a visualization exercise that left me in tears.
I scrambled to write down everything I could remember as if transcribing a dream upon waking.
I was left with some difficult things to think about.
Twitter Goals
I discovered Parent Twitter this week. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did:
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Until next week,
Charlie
Hello,your write up this week portray encouragement.I found this out from the last message stated thus:
“Pay attention to the people who embrace your changes. Those are the ones who will support and encourage you. Those are the ones who will lift you up. Those are your people.”
Well done for the good job!👍👏