Day 21: Slowing Down to Move Forward

A Quiet Morning

Okay, so today is day 21, the end of week three. It’s my official day off from both school and the gym, and honestly, it came right on time. My body needed it, my mind needed it, and I didn’t realize how much until I actually stopped to reflect on the whirlwind of activities and obligations that filled my daily schedule. This pause allowed me to assess what I truly needed, and I found that a day like this, centered around rest and recovery, was just what the doctor ordered.

I woke up earlier than I wanted, around 6:40 a.m. My body has become so used to early mornings that I can’t even sleep in anymore. It’s both a blessing and a curse. I lay there for a while, trying to go back to sleep, and eventually did. When I woke up again later in the morning, I finally felt what I had been chasing all week, rest. Seven and a half hours of solid sleep. That might not sound like much, but for me, it’s gold. My legs, back, and especially my abs were sore from the week’s intense training, but in a satisfying way, a reminder of effort well spent during those grueling workouts.

After getting up, I took a cold shower, by now, it’s a natural part of my routine, no matter what day it is. The shock of the cold water hit me like always, but it also woke me up instantly. The brisk temperature always seems to invigorate my senses and refresh my outlook for the day. It’s amazing how something that feels so uncomfortable at first has become such a grounding ritual that I rely on to center myself.

Taking It Slow

Today was different in a beautiful way. No rush, no deadlines looming over my head, no students to attend to, and no gym schedule to adhere to. Just me, the quiet of my room, and a rare sense of calm that enveloped the entire space. I spent the morning slowly, indulging in cozy activities, made a good breakfast that I actually took the time to savor, watched a few boxing and wrestling videos that caught my interest, and just let myself relax into the day. It felt strange at first, not having a packed schedule, but I reminded myself that rest is also part of the discipline that I often forget to embrace.

I didn’t do much physically today, but I did go out for a long walk — a little over an hour. The pleasant movement helped to loosen up the soreness, and I truly enjoyed the simplicity of it all. No pressure, no competition — just the rhythm of my steps and the flow of my thoughts as I navigated the streets. It offered me a chance to take in the scenery and appreciate the little things that often go unnoticed in the rush of everyday life.

Recharging and Reorganizing

Even though I promised myself a full day off, I still found myself working, not physically, but mentally. I worked on my blog for a bit, updating notes and adjusting the design that I had envisioned for it. I felt a sense of accomplishment as I delved into creative tasks that I had been putting off due to my packed schedule. One of the big things I did today was completing another step toward getting my official Saudi ID, a task that had felt daunting at times. I had to verify my phone number through the SIM provider, and once that’s done, I’ll finally be able to apply for a credit card and open a bank account, steps that will greatly enhance my independence and financial autonomy. It’s something small but important, another piece of stability in this new chapter of my life that I'm excited to fill with new experiences.

And since I wasn’t training, I seized that time to plan my next steps. I finally sat down and created my personal training schedule, no more randomness, just a solid commitment to growth and structure. Here’s what I came up with:

🗓 My Weekly Training Plan

• Saturday: 6–7 a.m. Boxing | 8–10 p.m. Muay Thai

• Sunday: 8–9 p.m. Wrestling | 9–10:30 p.m. MMA

• Monday: Rest

• Tuesday: 8–9 p.m. Wrestling | 9–10:30 p.m. MMA

• Wednesday: 7:30–9 p.m. Boxing

• Thursday: 8–9 p.m. Wrestling | 9–10:30 p.m. MMA

• Friday: Rest

I’ll definitely try to stick to it as much as possible. It’s ambitious, but I like having structure to guide my training. Soon, I also plan to add Jiu-Jitsu classes once I get my GI, which I believe will further enhance my skills. Step by step, I’m building not just strength but a lifestyle, something I can be proud of as I push myself beyond limits that I once thought were not achievable.

Reflection and Gratitude

Today made me realize something important: rest is not laziness. It’s strategy; a crucial element for sustainable growth. The body grows when it heals, and the mind strengthens when it slows down to process everything that life throws our way. Taking this day off doesn’t mean I’m losing progress; it means I’m ensuring that I can keep going in this journey of self-improvement and discipline that I've committed to.

As I look back on this third week, I’m proud. I’ve kept my discipline intact, handled exhaustion with grace, and pushed through emotionally heavy days that would have sidelined me in the past. But I also learned to pause, to reflect, plan, and be grateful for each step of this journey. I’m not the same person I was three weeks ago. My mindset is sharper, my focus deeper, and my goals clearer than I could have imagined, which fills me with excitement for what lies ahead.

Week Three Summary

📊 Progress Tracker

Day 15 – Focused on sleep and discipline; learned the balance between rest and performance. Resting has revealed to me its true importance and how it fuels my drive.
Day 16 – Officially launched my blog and worked on SEO; attended a packed MMA session, feeling invigorated by the energy around me.
Day 17 – Reintroduced cold showers; embraced the mindset of “martial artist first, teacher second,” understanding the importance of prioritizing my passions.
Day 18 – Faced a tough school day; trained over 2.5 hours in MMA and improved flexibility. It was exhausting, but every drop of sweat was worth the progress.
Day 19 – Checked my blog stats — first real visitors; partnered with a new boxer and focused on technique. Feeling the connections I’m forming around the sport I love brings me joy.
Day 20 – Faced emotional exhaustion; pushed through wrestling and MMA sessions; asked about future tournaments to stay engaged and motivated.
Day 21 – Full rest and recovery; created a structured training plan and prepared for the next phase of my training journey.

Weekly Highlights

🥶 Continued cold showers; discipline remains strong and unwavering. I feel more awake and alert after each one.
💻 Blog views are growing; small but steady progress that keeps me motivated to create more content and share my journey.
🥋 Improved flexibility and clinching techniques in Muay Thai and wrestling, which will be incredibly beneficial in competition.
🤝 Trained with new partners; learning from every interaction and absorbing different perspectives regarding training.
🧠 Faced emotional fatigue but stayed consistent, proving to myself that resilience is key.
📅 Created a complete weekly training plan for long-term growth, and I feel more equipped moving forward.
💪 Committed to competing within six months; focus sharpened and determination renewed as I look towards my future.

Physical Stats

Weight: 70.7 kg — stable and strong, a reflection of my hard work.
Soreness Level: Mild to moderate — mostly in the core and legs after all of the intense sessions.
Energy Level: Balanced and refreshed after recovery, feeling alive and ready for what's next.
Stamina: Noticeably improving, especially during long MMA sessions that push my limits.

Achievements

✅ Three full weeks of consistent training and blogging; a major milestone I can celebrate.
✅ Built a structured routine for martial arts development, laying a solid foundation for future success.
✅ Improved endurance, flexibility, and form, making noticeable strides that I can measure.
✅ Learned to manage both emotional and physical fatigue; a valuable lesson in maintaining balance.
✅ Set a clear goal: compete within the next six months, a target that excites and motivates me.

Lessons Learned

• Rest is part of growth. You can’t train effectively without recovery, as it recharges you physically and mentally.

• Structure brings freedom. Having a plan means fewer excuses and more results, enabling me to focus on my training instead of being overwhelmed.

• Discipline isn’t just showing up; it’s also knowing when to slow down. Recognizing the importance of rest is vital in achieving long-term success.

• Every step, even small ones, counts toward the bigger picture. Progress is progress regardless of how incremental it may feel.

Day 21 Lesson

Rest doesn’t slow you down, it aligns you with your purpose. True discipline lies not just in movement but in knowing when to pause, breathe, and prepare for the next challenge that comes my way. It truly is necessary to ensure a sustainable journey ahead.

Day Twenty-One complete. Week three down, stronger, smarter, and ready for more. The grind continuess.

👉 How do you balance your drive to keep pushing with your body’s need for rest? Do you see recovery as part of progress or as a pause that could hold you back?