Day 48: Patience in the Pause

A New Step in the Journey

Day 48, Today felt like a soft exhale, the last day of the work week. Despite the rib pain still hanging around, I started with a cold shower and reminded myself: healing is continuing, even when things don’t change overnight. There’s a steady stability in the discomfort now, almost familiar. It’s as if I’m learning to embrace the little moments of peace in the midst of chaos, finding solace in the routine of daily life, and appreciating the progress that is often invisible. Every breath I take feels like a testament to my resilience, paving a new path forward.

Putting in the Work Outside the Ring

On the bus to school, I leaned into my breathing techniques, part of the Wim Hof Method, as a way to calm the body and center my mind. My teaching day was fairly average in terms of sessions, but there was that familiar chaos on a Thursday, students getting restless, energy running high. I held my ground and did not let it rattle me. In fact, I used that energy to fuel my motivation, channeling it into engaging discussions and interactive lessons that sparked curiosity and enthusiasm. It’s always a dance between maintaining authority and connecting with my students, and today felt like a step toward perfecting that balance.

The big win today? I wrapped up the preparation of my last exam. My head of department asked for a few edits, so I made them. When I finally finished, a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. There is just one thing left to do, the revision worksheets, and then I can give myself a little breathing room. It’s amazing how completing a project can transform the day; it’s not just about the end result but the journey of getting there that makes it so worthwhile. I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride in my work, which served as a reminder of why I do what I do.

Where the Day Tested Me

There was no training again today. My legs, they are badly sore. Worse than before. That ache is a reminder: even when I do not feel like I am pushing, my body is still working hard to recover. It is frustrating, sitting out, knowing that my legs are begging for activity but also need rest. And that tension, between wanting to do more and needing to heal, is real. Each moment that I choose to prioritize recuperation over activity feels monumental, like a challenge I must face head on. I know that in the long run, this decision will lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling path back to my passions.

Mentally, I wrestled with uncertainty: How long until I am truly back? Will the pain really fade? It is hard to be patient when all I want is to feel strong again. Those questions echo in my mind, but deeper within lies a whisper of hope and determination. I remind myself that every setback is an opportunity for growth, and sometimes the toughest battles happen within. Embracing this is essential to living my truth every day, no matter how challenging it may be.

What Today Taught Me

Patience is a form of strength. Healing does not have a clear timeline, and recovery is not linear. By finishing my exam prep, I reminded myself that there are battles I can fight even when my body is not ready for sparring. Taking a step back from training does not mean I am losing, it means I am giving myself the time to come back stronger and smarter. In doing so, I am also learning to appreciate the small victories, like completing a task that seemed daunting or simply enjoying a quiet moment to myself.

Moving Forward With Purpose

Over the weekend, I will train once my legs have rested. I will work on those revision worksheets so the stress of that task is truly out of the way. And I will reflect, maybe meditate, journal, or just breathe, to remind myself that healing is not wasted time. In these reflective moments, I hope to rediscover what drives me, what ignites my passion, and how I can align my actions with my values. When Sunday comes, I want to feel lighter, more focused, and ready to plan my return to training, perhaps with a renewed mindset that prioritizes both my health and my ambitions.

Day 48 Lesson

Strength is not only in the fight, sometimes it is in the wait.

Day 48 complete. The road continues.

👉 When you are forced to pause for recovery, how do you stay motivated and trust the process? It’s a question worth exploring, as we all have different strategies to help us navigate the process of healing and self-discovery.