Priorities Change

Our priorities change in life with major life events, like getting married, having kids, and starting your career. No I'm not having a baby and neither is Amy - at least not right now. But we have been in a global pandemic for nearly 11 months! (here in Ontario) And my priorities have changed.

Anyone that knows me knows I’m always on the go, travelling all over and I rarely have free time. At some points, I am literally living out of my car. There will forever be a spare change of clothes in my car. There is definitely a reason for this, and pretty stinkin’ hilarious story to go along with it (we will save that for another day).

If I’m being honest I wasn’t adjusting very well when things first shut down back in March 2020. Many people were in the same boat. I missed my busy life, but mostly my social life! It took a few weeks to get used to the new normal (that we didn’t even realize was actually going to be a new normal for a LONG time). I started to enjoy the laid back and slowed down version of life. But I was certainly not satisfied with it. It made me feel lazy. I’ve spent my life busting my ass to get ahead. And now suddenly I had to pump the breaks. I couldn’t help but feel I needed to make better use of my time. I NEED PROGRESS, PEOPLE.

What projects could I work on? What side hustle can I start? How can I educate and further improve myself? What can I train for with every race being cancelled? These were all the thoughts that constantly crossed my mind.

It wasn’t until recently (a second lockdown) I figured out that rest and recovery is a good thing. A very good thing in rejuvenating the body. I’ve always worked rest and recovery into my training programs (likely not as well as I should), but I’m realizing rest and recovery is necessary from life in general. From the rush of your job, from training, from a jam packed schedule and even from friends. I’ve had some unbelievable ‘me time’ over the last few weeks and it feels good! It really is an important part to progress.

It is so fascinating to find out that I can actually work more productively and train harder AND get more rest. Pre-COVID I always had a jam packed schedule, I enjoyed being on the go, but I always reached a burn out period where I couldn’t perform at my best. Mentally and physically. But that never phased me, I always powered through it because I thought that’s what I needed to do. Pedal to the floor...always. Needless to say I wasn’t very good at listening to my body. Which has earned me some unnecessary injuries over the years.

I have to credit some pretty talented ladies that helped me come to this realization. Dr. Mandy Swinden and Dr. Briana Botsford are leading a Hormone Performance Group I joined back in the Fall. And Dr. Chelsea Dakers with The Health Creation Lab. These ladies are a wealth of knowledge and I would recommend anyone needing some extra guidance in their health journey go see them!

I think we know by now that normal as we knew it before COVID is no longer. Going forward, I will forever prioritize my rest. And I mean outside of my 9 hours of sleep every night. The journey ahead might not be easy and it may be frustrating, but I’m learning a whole lot along the way.

Has COVID changed your priorities? Or made you realize things you enjoy that you never expected?

-Kate