My aging body needs to move

I have been thinking a lot about sports lately, and of course, aging. That’s because when you age you think about how your body is changing a lot. I also think it’s the “I coulda gone pro,” in me holding onto what could’ve been instead of focusing on what is and what could be more these days. 

I could’ve been a track star, or realized I could have profited off of long distance races before my body started giving up on me. I could have forced my mother to find a fencing class and drive me out that way ( I have seriously been hoping one for adults would spring up but it’s like no one fences really?? Is this sport really not as big as my brain thinks it should be).

I’m currently trying to get some of my endurance and flexibility back, though everything hurts and I now regret all the times I skipped out on stretching. I think everyone should be doing some form of stretching if they can. You know the saying “use it or lose it.” Stretch it or you could lose the ability to move it as well faster or without needing to.

All of that is to say, I have taken up dancing. Very lightly. Like, a one two. I’m on week three of a seven week program that I haven’t paid the full price for because knowing me and my finances, I outta keep it to paying the pop in fee when I can.

It is nice. It is actually so very nice to loosen up around the end of an hour class (because it does take my body a little time to loosen when I’m also given directions). I like how at peace I feel afterwards. I get so proud I end up bouncing and smiling at everyone!

It is weird to try something new for the first time in years, and have it be something I make myself do more than once. But, I think it’s exactly what I needed. I’ve been so unhappy and pushing simply trying something new away from my mind because I thought I needed to only focus on work and moping (it’s a full time job ok!)

I have never taken any sport or art as seriously as I have running and writing. Sure, I’ve wanted to try many things, and I’ve also tried my hand at things like:

1. Gymnastics- where I didn’t learn the splits, but I learned that running up to the springy board thingy was my favorite part

2. Tennis- I didn’t make it past the first day and it will forever be the one sport that haunts me

3. Drawing/painting- I’ve made a few things that weren’t horrible, but my high school art teacher used to shake her head at me and there would be a few people who laughed at how bad I was…so that’s definitely a “when I’m absolutely board and there’s a bottle of paint nearby,” activity or “I’m working with this kid who likes putting their hands in paint,” thing

4. Actually, I have fenced once but I moved from that area with that one late class in the basement of a church and last I checked, they don’t have classes for adults anymore

Etc. etc.

And reader, I’d like for you to know I’ve also been stretching ALMOST daily, and trying to shake off the “I missed out on some opportunities,” blues.

I hope you’re able to give something a try soon as well. Try a new path to work, write a poem about something you’ve never written about, join a club. Do anything! Just don’t give up on yourself like I was doing.