I don't know about you, but last year was arguably the WORST year of my life. NO SOCCER, was incredibly difficult, but then add essential worker status, my spouses affair and eventual divorce, and you got a pretty crappy year.
Even worse, I know many of you also had a crappy year....we found out we were not alone in our misery. Everyone had something that challenged them. Mental Health became more of a priority, and not for those with illness.
BUT WE ARE BACK! Yeah 2021!
Had my first indoor soccer game and I could not have been happier. Life is coming back. So let me ask you....How was your first game/s back? Sore? Feel like your aim was missing? Foot skills a little rusty? How about endurance?
Well let me remind you that just like last year, we are not alone. You are not alone. So let's look at our mindsets and how we can make the most of our time back on the pitch.
#1) Gratitude
I have a TON of gratitude to finally be able to play indoors in temperature regulated environments without a mask and with the women who always support and inspire me. It's so easy to slip back into the old routine, but with gratitude, we will find so much more joy in the moments .
#2) Give yourself a break
I think we all are so hard on ourselves sometimes. I mean, we haven't played soccer for SO long. Sure there might be a little muscle memory but these muscles haven't been worked in this particular way in a while...Think of it as coming back from injury. You have to ease back into it. So give yourself a break and a little love. Be kind to yourself. You got this, and we are all in the same boat.
#3) Positive Punch
We all do it, negative self talk, especially when we are in a game. I see it. But you need to fight it with a little positive punch. You wouldn't be that rude to your teammate, right? So cheer yourself on as you do your teammates. And drink lots of liquids too. It will help your body move and recover. I am pretty sure my body was asking a lot of questions, like "why all the running" and "do you expect me to get that ball?" LOL. So I hope I nurtured it enough with some hydration to do "all that running" and "getting that ball". But I also let it go when I didn't get the ball...Positive Punch.
So I hope my experience and your experiences coming back to the sport we all love is full of joy, gratitude, and lots of liquids...I mean it. You all better be Hydrating. Oh and you bet I was wearing my socks. Maybe that is why I wasn't too sore the next day, at least for my feet and calves.