Dust yourself off and try again! | 3 ways to give yourself grace after an extended pole break
Taking an extended break from pole dancing can be tough, especially if you were constantly dancing! Whether it was due to injury, life changes, or simply a lack of motivation, it's important to remember that it's OKAY to take a break and give yourself grace. Here are three ways to do just that:
Start Slow: Don't expect to jump right back into your old routine. Take things slow and ease yourself back into pole dancing. Start with the basics and gradually work your way up to more advanced tricks over time. Remember, it's better to take things slow and avoid injury than to push yourself too hard too soon. After my longest pole break, I discovered a love for low flow while I built myself back up! I’ve taken several breaks, but low flow is always something I know I can come back to easily.
Be Kind to Yourself: It's easy to get frustrated when you're not performing at the level you once were. But it's important to remember that your body has been through changes and it will take time to get back to where you were. Be kind to yourself and celebrate the small victories along the way. It’s so important to avoid comparing yourself to who you were before and what you used to be able to do. That version of you was likely super aggressive with training in comparison to where you are right now, and you know what? THAT’S QUITE ALRIGHT! You can get back there if you want, orrrrr you can discover some new pole things along the way that you prefer a lot more. Change is the only constant in life, but remember that nothing changes if nothing changes!
Set Realistic Goals: Setting goals can be a great way to motivate yourself, but it's important to set realistic ones. Don't expect to go straight from couch to spatchcock, chile. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate each one as you reach it! After my own breaks, I tend to set small goals like “dance for 15-30 minutes” or “just move, don’t do any real tricks” and I’ve found that it helps me celebrate my smaller wins.
Remember, taking a break from dancing doesn't mean you've failed! The breaks are necessary, so listen to your body and spirit if they’re saying “sit tf down somewhere for a lil’ bit.” Giving yourself grace and taking things slow as you ease back into your practice is important. With time and patience, you'll be full steam ahead on the path of your choosing!
