No Shame in Self-Care: Reframe Your Life’s Journey with the Bike Analogy
The Bike Analogy — sometimes, you have to dismount your bike and fix it before continuing the journey.
Throughout my life, I have been goal-driven and consistently seeking new challenges. I’m not one to slow down or let personal discomforts get in my way.
However, recently, I arrived at an unexpected crossroads in life — a health diagnosis that called for significant changes in diet, exercise, sleep, medication, and overall mental well-being.
It was a life reboot!
Although this health challenge isn’t insurmountable, accepting these changes has proven to be a bit of a struggle. My sense of duty clashes with my need to prioritize my health.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your commitment and sense of responsibility have unintentionally harmed your health? You prioritize other seemingly important aspects of life, driven by a desire to meet expectations — whether they’re your own or someone else’s.
Everyone Encounters Obstacles
At some point in everyone’s life, we encounter obstacles that demand we pause and face the issues that arise, even when we’d rather keep moving forward.
Guilt can surface as we tend to our own needs.
We can even use life obligations as justifications to avoid harsh new realities, attempting to bury them in the background.
Avoiding these realities does not make them go away. Sadly, especially when health, whether physical or emotional is in question, they get worse when not addressed.
A Friend’s Insight
I confided in a close friend about my internal struggle: this new health issue and the necessary steps I absolutely need to take to manage it effectively.
I also shared my feelings of guilt surrounding prioritizing my health over other commitments. His advice was valuable. He encouraged me to reframe my situation with the Bike Analogy.
The Bike Analogy — sometimes, you have to dismount your bike and fix it before continuing the journey.
I love bike riding, so his words piqued my interest! Let me elaborate on the wisdom he shared.
The Bike Analogy
Visualize yourself as a bike rider, cycling with determination to reach your destination. The ride represents your life journey, with all its triumphs and challenges. Sometimes, you might even feel invincible, unstoppable in your pursuit.
But life, as with a bicycle, can wear down over time, leading to minor issues that may snowball into larger problems. Imagine a bike chain loosening, brakes eroding, or tires losing air. Ignoring these issues and continuing on is not only dangerous but also significantly obstructs your progress.
Recognizing the need to stop and address these issues can be frustrating, and guilt may even accompany the decision to take a break. However, it’s essential to recognize that there is no shame in seeking help or slowing down to resolve our problems.
Sometimes you have to get off the bike! Fix it! Remount and continue.
Pausing your journey to mend the problems you face in life should not be seen as a weakness — it’s a sign of wisdom and self-awareness. Confronting your issues demonstrates both strength and maturity, exemplifying the importance of self-care and well-being.
Think about how fixing your bike leads to enhanced efficiency and smoother rides. Tightening the chain, repairing the brakes, and inflating the tires allow your bicycle to perform at its best.
Similarly, addressing issues in our life improves our ability to move forward with greater confidence and determination.
Remember the bike analogy whenever you feel guilty or disheartened by the need to pause your journey to resolve personal challenges.
There’s no harm in taking the necessary time to fix what’s broken. It’s not a sign of failure or weakness; it proves that you value your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Sometimes you have to stop the ride, get off the bike, and do the needed repairs. Then you can get back on and likely go further and faster than you otherwise might have been able to do.
A Horse or a Mule?
While this has nothing to do with a bike, my friend shared one more question to ponder, something to help me understand that we have to set limits for ourselves when it comes to our physical and mental health.
He asked me if I was a horse or a mule. I had no idea what he meant. He chuckled as he observed my confusion.
He then asked me if I knew what the difference between a horse and a mule is when it comes to bearing a load (a.k.a. priorities and responsibilities in life). I of course had no clue!
He explained: Horses and mules, both used for labor and transportation, exhibit differences in strength, endurance, and temperament.
Horses, being sensitive and eager to please, may overwork themselves when carrying heavy loads, leading to potential injuries and exhaustion.
Mules, however, are known for their innate stubbornness and resilience, which often prevents them from overexerting themselves, thereby preserving their well-being.
My friend related, that this valuable lesson from the mule can be applied to our own lives, teaching us the importance of recognizing our limits, standing up for our well-being, and not pushing ourselves to the point of injury or burnout.
He concluded, sometimes it’s better to be a mule than a horse, and this is especially true when facing health issues.
Are you a horse or a mule?
No one can make the decision for you to make your health a priority, you have to do it for yourself.
My good friend assured me there is nothing selfish in carrying for oneself. He asserted: You can’t be strong for others when you are not strong yourself.
Embracing the Journey including the Repairs
Getting back to the Bike Analogy, as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of our lives, it’s crucial to embrace every part of the journey, including the obstacles and the lessons they bring.
While facing these challenges, it’s important to remember that they also serve as catalysts for growth and self-improvement, molding us into stronger and more capable individuals.
So, when you need to hit the brakes and tend to personal matters, remind yourself that it’s not a setback but an opportunity. This mindset shift allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the complexities of life, fostering personal growth and wisdom.
By prioritizing self-care and recognizing that there is no guilt in attending to our needs, we become better equipped to follow our unique path with confidence and determination.
I now keep the Bike Analogy forefront in my thinking. I am going to take the time to get the necessary health measures in place as my priority, and let other things be a lesser priority. It doesn’t mean they are not still a priority, but they are a lesser priority.
In conclusion, I am reminded of what Albert Einstein once said: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” But sometimes, momentarily dismounting your bike to make the necessary repairs can be just as essential for maintaining balance in the long run.
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