Progress Not Perfection

At the studio I commonly hear the phrase "progress not perfection". This can be such a great mindset to help us focus on celebrating all of our small improvements and victories. But sometimes we forget that progress can take time. So this is your reminder that the time can be days, weeks, months and even years.

In an open studio session the other day there was talk about strength and flexibility and it was mentioned that I was flexible because I could do an allegra. I explained that I worked really hard at it and then showed them some of these pictures. I had to work at the allegra for years to get it to the point it was at in 2017. It took working on flexibility and practicing the trick over and over again. Because you see the thing is that POLE IS HARD! It involves using your whole body. You need strength, flexibility and combinations of both. You are going to find some things easier and others are going to take time. There may even be some aspects that you put on hold for a while or realize that the move is really challenging for your body and brings you frustration and no joy and decide to give it a break (you might even not give it a try again). The important thing to remember is that it is ok to take your time! It is ok to have something come really easily and something else seem impossible. It is ok for these to be different than your friend. It is ok to need a mat or ask for a spot for something you find hard. And it is ok to keep using a mat or asking for a spot for as long as it takes you to feel comfortable and safe to the point that you do not need to use those things. Remember the person you see get a move really easily probably has something they find hard, and you may even find that move easy. And most importantly remember that this is your own journey, you should take that journey at your own pace and it should bring you joy and happiness. ❤