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Hey Reader,

I'm currently in my "child chauffeur era" and Wednesday is currently my busiest day. I have to hustle all 3 of my kids out the door by 4:35pm to get my youngest to her dance class, then run the older 2 to Hebrew school by 5pm so I can swing back and pick up the youngest from dance.

After that, we have about 75 minutes before I have to head back out to pick up the older 2.

This past Wednesday we were running late and I was cranky about it. My oldest, who is now big enough to sit up in the front seat, turned to me and said, "you know, we don't have to go tonight. N can skip dance. My brother and I don't have to go to Hebrew school. We can take a night off. That would be less stressful, right?"

Here's what I said to her:

I am totally ok with taking mental health days. But that's not what this would be. N wants to go to dance. We're running late because you and your brother did not come back home when I asked you to.

As far as Hebrew school goes, it's a twice weekly commitment. It might make my Wednesday a little more chaotic, but it's an important part of your education and as a result, I am willing to commit to it each week, even if it's hard. The commitments we make are important.

Then I gave her an example:

I take 3 dance classes a week. I make sure that every week my schedule is free during those times so I can take my class. The only time I missed was a few weeks ago when I was so sick, I couldn't stand up.

But I have gone other times when I was a little tired or had other work to do or wasn't entirely in the mood. I've gone to class on the first day of my period when I'm bleeding a lot and feeling tight in my low back.

What you commit to matters. Because what you commit to and actually prioritize indicates how you are showing up for yourself.

This leads me to my Movement Snack this week.

Movement Snack this week:

When you say you're going to do something, but you don't do it, what does that say about how you really feel about the thing you were supposed to do?

Here's a specific example:

I frequently have folks leave my online studio because they say they're not using it the way they want to.

This means they're not taking the live classes or doing any of the recorded classes.

Not many people actually come to the live classes, but the ones who do put those times on their calendar and they make attending a priority. They rarely schedule anything during those times unless there isn't another option.

This is what commitment looks like.

I'm not saying this to shame anyone who once was a member in my studio. It's just an example of how some folks choose to commit to live classes because it feels important to them, while for others, it simply isn't.

Which is ok. There is zero judgment from me if daily movement isn't a top priority for whatever reason.

This is the tough love part of the message.

If something is important to you, then you figure out how to commit to it. You make it a priority. You don't let anything get in the way of what you've committed to.

Is it more complex than this?

Of course. Life is not always so straightforward and simple.

But I think it is a fairly important baseline to consider when it comes to the idea of commitment.

How I can support you (if you want it):

This is why I teach live classes at the same time every day, M-Th in my online studio. That way you can set aside the same time everyday to move. Plus the live classes are just 30 minutes (M/W) and 15 minutes long (T/TH). So you don't have to set aside 90 minutes to 2hrs, depending on how far you have to drive to a studio class or how gnarly parking is. Online classes make it easier to commit to a daily movement practice. Join MOVE to get access to those classes!​

I also do private movement coaching. This would be more tailored to your needs with a built-in accountability of checking in with me. If you're interested in personalized movement coaching, with me creating a program of classes for you and offering daily movement check-ins, email me directly and let's chat about it!

Question of the week:

What are you currently committing to? I know I used movement as an example for myself, but it might be something entirely different for you. I'd love to hear what you are making a priority in your life!

I look forward to hearing about what you are committing to and hopefully seeing you on the mat soon, too!

Warmly,

Naomi

Want to stay in touch during the week? Here are a 2 easy ways:

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