I’ve used my indoor rowing machine twice in the past week.
It’s not the calories or distance that matter right now. For me, it’s the reality that I’m actually using this machine that we’ve let collect dust for the past two years.
I contribute my motivation to my current reading of the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. It just exudes mindfulness in our habits. My habit being more mindful of my alone time and choosing more productive things to do with what little time alone I have, that I’ll benefit from in the future, that is attracting me the most to reading.
I’ve attempted a few times throughout the year of owning a rowing machine to use it. I’d go through periods of strict planning, like promising myself to workout 3 days a week while still caring for two toddlers. Funny, I know.
Life happened then like it does now. Except, I’ve altered my priorities, self-care being one of them, based on the present and finding time when I see an opportunity.
Take for instance the other night. Greg came home and he beelined it for the girls, they gravitated toward each other and I saw this as the golden opportunity to take some time for myself. I washed my face leisurely, stretched, and did a few bedtime routines given the time I had. And guess what, I was completely satisfied with just doing those few tiny things that to me meant a lot. It’s become more of a habit since I’ve put seen it as more of a healthy priority.
As has rowing. I’ve done it twice this week. I’ve only focused on the 5 minute mind-frame to start this healthy habit. If I am fine after five minutes I keep going, but don’t push myself. I listen to my body.
Listening to my body means also listening to my mind. This week my mind has been telling me to enjoy my alone time more and let Greg help, which is in fact what he is always trying to do. I simply say “I’ve got it”, this is an unhealthy habit. It’s really played a key role in my deep desire to better myself through changing my habits gradually, in more healthy ways.
I enjoy rowing.
Stephanie Fowler 