“Adaptability is the way of consistency”
This month marks one year of my weekly running ritual.
While it’s an unremarkable milestone by most standards, I’m actually quite proud of myself. Fifty two weeks of a simple habit that was born out of no influence other than my own.
No race on the books.
No training program or specific goal to chase.
No accolades coming my way.
I simply decided that I feel best when running is part of my routine, and committing to 1x/week was something I could accomplish in my current season.
Here are three things I’ve learned in the process…
Done is Done. There were weeks when I questioned my window of opportunity and considered skipping “just this once”. When you’re your only source of accountability, any compromise threatens your self trust. My approach on those weeks was to shorten my distance to be able to squeeze in something instead of nothing. I didn’t set out to break any records; I set out to show up.
Consistency Compounds. At some point, I realized my weekly habit had become effortlessly part of my routine. Just as compromising on your word threatens self trust, following through helps to build it. The habit of running has bled into a more consistent practice of sensing what’s important to me, and claiming access to it.
Embrace the ease of a good fit. Overall, this simple practice of running weekly has felt easy. It often required some schedule rearranging, childcare logistics, and a bigger laundry pile. But it never involved trying to convince myself that I wanted to or that it was worth it. I was intrinsically motivated from the outset, and that makes a world of difference. While there’s plenty to learn from experiences that require grittier commitment, I’m appreciating the ease that comes with a practice that is very well aligned.
What’s one thing you’re committed to that considers both your circumstances and needs?