Day 19: Finding Progress in Patience

Morning Routine – Tired but Still Moving

Day 19.
Woke up early, as usual, but the truth is, I barely slept. The night was long and restless, filled with tossing and turning, and my mind racing through a million thoughts. I got home late yesterday, slept even later, and couldn't fall asleep for most of the night. Maybe three and a half hours total. Still, I pushed myself up and started the day with a cold shower, part of the Wim Hof Method I've been following. It’s helping, circulation, energy, and mental toughness. Even when my body's tired, that shock of cold water wakes up my mind, jolting me into alertness. The chill invigorates me, washing away the early morning drowsiness and prepping me for whatever the day might bring.

Then it was off to work. I took a deep breath as I stepped outside, feeling the morning air on my skin. Good news this time; the school’s power generator broke down, and the AC system stopped working. With the heat rising fast, the school decided to send the students home early. For once, I thought I’d get a slow, easy day. Perhaps I could catch up on things or relax a bit once I finished my tasks. But of course, that never really happens. We still had a short staff training session, and I used whatever free time I had to work on my blog, fixing pages, adding new notes, checking progress. Every little step I take feels meaningful, reinforcing my commitment to this endeavor.

And for the first time ever, I saw results.
Three new visitors.
Two from India. One from Germany. The numbers may seem small, but to me, it felt like a win. Someone out there noticed me. My SEO tweaks are working, slowly but surely. I didn’t even promote the site, and still, a few people found it. It’s progress, slow, but real. It gives me hope and motivation to keep improving the content and engaging with a wider audience.

If three people can find me now, a hundred will later. And maybe, one day, a thousand. That's the new goal. Each visitor matters, and I can almost picture the day when my little blog becomes a vibrant space filled with readers who share their thoughts and connect over our topics.

Afternoon – Rest and Recovery

Since school ended early, I got home earlier than usual. Finally. I had a nutritious meal, full of protein and vegetables, which I meticulously prepared. Eating well feels rewarding, fueling my body for the challenges to come. Then took a long nap, I needed it after the sleepless night. When I woke up, I felt refreshed, recovered, and ready for the gym. It was a much-needed moment of rest that had me mentally prepared for the physical exertion ahead.

I couldn’t wait for my boxing session tonight.
Arrived five minutes early, gloves ready, focused. The anticipation bubbled inside me, excited for the chance to engage in a sport that continually teaches me about strength and resilience.

We started with a warm-up: running, rope jumping, and fundamentals. I broke my personal record twice, first at 35 jumps, then 49 in a row. Not long ago, I couldn’t even do three without tripping. That’s progress. The exhilaration of surpassing what I thought was possible propels me forward, while my fellow boxers cheer me on. Each accomplishment feels monumental, bringing me closer to my fitness goals.

After rope work, we did rounds of shadowboxing; jab-jab-cross-hook. Repeated it several times, followed by more rope jumping. The warm-up lasted around thirty minutes before a quick five-minute water break. Then came the gloves and bandages; time to get serious. I can feel the adrenaline coursing through me, ready to explode into action as we focus our minds on technique and precision.

Evening Session – Learning by Teaching

Today I partnered with a newcomer: Turki.
It was his first day in the gym, first time boxing. He didn’t know the stances, the names, or the movements. Not my ideal partner, I’ll admit. But still, I decided to help. Every beginner reminds me where I once was, awkward, lost, trying to figure it out. It’s humbling to recall my early days, and I felt a sense of responsibility to guide him.

We practiced dodging and counterattacks:

• Leaning to the side to dodge a jab, then counter with a cross.

• Jab, step in with a shoulder push, then cross and hook.

• Jab, step back, cross, and hook.

• Lean back from a hook, then come back with cross-hook-cross.

We repeated each drill several times, switching turns. Turki was slow at first, but he learned fast. By the end, he was smiling, proud that he could finally throw a clean jab-cross combo. His improvement over the session filled me with pride as well, a reminder of the joy that comes from helping others grow.

After that, we finished with a core circuit, multiple sets of crunches and planks to close the session. My abs were on fire, but it was worth it. Each muscle worked felt like a step towards a stronger and more resilient version of myself.

An hour and a half flew by. I left around nine, grabbed a small snack on my way home, took a cold shower, and went straight to bed. The exhaustion from a full day caught up with me, and I welcomed the comfort of my sheets.

Reflection

Today taught me something about patience; not just with others, but with myself.
Sleep-deprived, tired, yet I showed up. I helped a beginner, broke my jump rope record, and learned that teaching can also sharpen your own skills. These moments of reflection help me cultivate deeper understanding of my journey.

Sometimes growth isn’t about punching harder. It’s about learning slower, observing more, and letting every small win count. Each day I take one step further on this path of self-improvement feels like victory.

Day Nineteen complete. Another step forward. The grind continues.

👉 Have you ever found that helping someone else actually helped you improve too? How do you balance patience with your own goals? Reflecting on these questions opens up avenues for growth as we navigate our personal journeys.