Making and Breaking Commitments Pt. 2

(Read Pt. 1)

 I loved gymnastics but it got to a point where I had no motivation. I just couldn't do it anymore.

The conditioning got harder, my bones and muscles ached, and I was exhausted. My medals turned into ribbons. I realized that where I used to be improving, I was now getting worse by the day. My team mates kept moving up.

Gym had been such a part of my life, but now it started to feel like a chore. I had no motivation. I was happy when classes got cancelled or ended early. I began having thoughts of quitting.

I still wanted that feeling of accomplishment and the belief that I was doing something with my life. Being a gymnast became a part of who I was. Giving up that title would be hard. I would miss bragging about being on the competitive team and showing off my medals.

I was going to miss being a gymnast. I knew what the other gymnasts would say about me. I would be another quitter. That's who I would become. The only thing harder than not being a gymnast was being a quitter. There was shame in giving up. In the gymnastics world, that's how you are viewed. This was what ended up happening. Soon after I left, the other girls blocked me on Snapchat, and we haven't really talked since.

The day I quit was really hard. I did it as quickly as possible, barely looking my team mates in the eyes. I went into the gym, told them, and came out and cried in my Grandma's car.

It's been a few months and I still feel the pain of quitting. But I don't feel the pain in my body anymore. I want people to know that I wasn't just too lazy or tired to do gymnastics anymore. I had my reasons.

There are plenty of commitments I will make in life and making commitments is good! But I also learned that it's okay to change your mind. Sometimes you make a commitment not realizing that circumstances can change. All you can do is pray that people will understand.

Don't get me wrong, there are many times when people will break commitments and it will feel wrong. What I learned through this experience is don't be so quick to judge. I was quick to judge others and then I didn't like it when they judged me.

 I still admire gymnasts who push through the pain to reach their goals.  You need to fight for what you want and self-discipline is so important for that. I still regret that I never got any further as a gymnast, but I can live with that.

If you are in a situation where you cannot keep your commitment, don't beat yourself up. And don't beat up others either.

For more information on pressure in sports, check out the following links.

You'll be just fine,
       Kaylie

For more information on pressure in sports, check out these links.

Comments

  1. I really like the way you are so honest in your stories. It's hard sometimes to show people who you really are. You have a lot of courage.

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  2. Only you know the path that is right for you. You did many years and it will always be a part of you. You did not give up just moved on to a new chapter in your life. Thanks for sharing with us.

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome, and thank you so much. I appreciate it <3

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  3. It also takes a lot of courage to do what's right for you, even when you know that other people want/expect something else from you. So proud of you!

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