The Days That Break You

Some days on the mat feel anything but fun. Today was one of those days.

The whole training focused on the same positions, with stronger partners and little chance to just roll. By the end, I felt the emotions rising. I couldn't hide it anymore, and the tears came.

It felt painful and vulnerable. Maybe you know that feeling too... when you keep showing up, but it seems like you're not moving forward. When you start wondering what you're doing wrong.

What I'm learning in moments like these is that it's okay to feel what you feel. You don't always have to be "strong." Sometimes the best you can do is:

* pause and take a breath,

* remind yourself that one tough session doesn't define your whole journey,

* look for a small win (even if it's simply that you stayed until the end).

BJJ is still my anchor, even on the hardest days. And maybe that's the real lesson: not every training has to be enjoyable to be meaningful. Sometimes it's the resilience you build in the struggle that helps you grow the most.

© 2025 Tine Scheldeman. All rights reserved