Overcoming A Quitter Mindset

Hey there and welcome back to Growing Pains!

So, I won’t beat around the bush: I’ve genuinely considered quitting figure skating recently. If you’d like to read up on my figure skating progress up until now, visit my previous post, Figure Skating As An Adult Beginner!

My skates have broken down and are hindering my progress. I feel like I’ve hit a standstill. I’ve been working on my Lutz for at least seven months and I feel like I’ve gotten nowhere, even through all my practice and failures. In the process of obsessing over landing my Lutz, I’ve lost my loop and begun landing my flip on two feet from the fear the Lutz has instilled in me.

In polishing my camel and camel-sit combo spins, I’ve lost my scratch spin. I never had a good backspin to begin with but now what little I did have is nonexistent. It really does feel like the perfect call to give in.

As tempting as it is to just quit, I’ve been trying so hard to remind myself of all the things skating has done for me. All the laughs, the late-night rehearsals, the summer ice shows I performed alongside my sister, and all the incredible adult skaters I’ve met along the way. But it’s hard to remember these things most of the time.

I’ll admit, it’s not only my lost jumps and spins that have been pushing me towards quitting. Life in general has just been difficult, and lately skating hasn’t given me the relief I’ve been reliant on for so long. 

So, what did I do about it?

I went after my goals harder.

Now, the broken-down skates, I can’t do much about. I’ve been doing some research into Edea Chorus boots, but as a broke college student, I need to really consider all the pros and cons before making such a purchase. My Jacksons will hold on until then.

But my jumps? I’ve taken them to my living room with off-ice practice, to open ice sessions, I’ve taken videos to review where I’m making mistakes, and slowly I’m improving. Same with my spins!

As my readers, you know I don’t sugarcoat things: It’s tough finding the motivation to practice. It would be much easier to quit when my morale is low. But a way to reframe my attitude is realizing that sometimes backsliding is the best way to see where improvement can be made. Progress in any aspect of life is never linear, and it’s always okay to take a step back!

I’m glad my skating journey has gotten to where it is today, and I’m proud of the strides I’ve made in this sport. A year ago, I’d see other skaters working camel spins and Lutz jumps and I genuinely believed I’d never get there. I may not be the greatest skater, but I’m having fun every time I step on the ice, and if I’ve learned anything from figure skating these past few years, it’s to give myself grace. I greatly encourage you all to do the same!

Keep skating forward,

Alexandra