Another life lesson from mountain biking

Change, growth, and progression are wonderful parts of life, but they can also feel overwhelming, especially with all the self-help advice available to us. There’s so much to consider when we want to heal and grow: exercise, nutrition, sleep, self-compassion, emotional regulation, reducing screen time/social media, getting outside, staying hydrated, challenging critical thoughts, and more. It can quickly become a lot to manage.

This is exactly how I felt when I first started learning to mountain bike. There was so much to keep in mind and focus on. Keep your pedals level—unless you're going through a corner, in which case the outside foot should be down. Remember to lean into the berms. Stay standing, not sitting. Heavy feet, light hands. Look ahead, not down at your front wheel or the obstacles (like trees) around you. Oh, and don’t forget which hand controls which brake—you definitely don’t want to grab the front brake by mistake. Speed is your friend, even if it feels intimidating. Butt back on steep descents, but not too far back. And, of course, don't look at the obstacles! It was a lot to juggle.

Over the past few years, I’ve learned to simplify things for myself and set a clear focus or intention when it comes to mountain biking. Each season, I pick one or two skills to focus on. This has helped me feel less overwhelmed and allowed my skills to develop into muscle memory for the following season. Sometimes, I even keep the same goal for multiple seasons if I still don’t feel confident by the end of the year.

The same principle applies to life. When we try to change too much all at once, we often set ourselves up for failure or burnout. So, how can we apply this to our own growth? Keep it simple. Start by focusing on just one or two things to incorporate into your routine, and then slowly add in other aspects as you feel ready.

For example, if your goal is to improve your relationship with yourself, maybe start by focusing on self-care for one month (check out some of my social media posts for inspiration). Then, once that’s becoming a habit, add in self-compassionate self-talk the next month. Progress doesn’t have to be all at once. The key is to start small, build momentum, and give yourself grace along the way.

For more ‘Food for Thought’ about change, check out my other two blog’s titled, ‘Change’, and ‘Healing isn’t easy’.

Happy trails!!

 The content in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before trying new healthcare protocols.