If you've been training aerial for more than 5 minutes, you understand there's an element of frustration when learning new skills.
Everything looks so easy and graceful when other people do it.
When you try for the first or third or tenth time, it doesn't FEEL so easy or graceful.
THIS IS NORMAL.
Embrace the frustration. Reserve a little place in your brain for these frustration moments. We keep it there, and pull from the energy of those feelings when we need an extra dose of determination.
Keep the frustration in that little corner in your brain though. "This is just a feeling of frustration. It doesn't mean I can't try again. It doesn't mean I can't set this skill aside and come back later. It certainly doesn't mean I can't do it."
Big feelings don't need to dictate our path.
Frustration is like a yellow warning sign. It's not a stop sign.
Often, when we set a frustrating skill aside for an hour or for a day or a week, when we come back to try again it works out much better. Sometimes, our brains and bodies simply need time to rest and think about it.
Utilize positive visualization. Visualize yourself doing the skill properly.
Utilize the power of community. Observe carefully as your friends work through the same skills. Whether they are successful or not, you will learn more about the skill by watching each other.
Understand that even when you fail an attempt, you are a vital and powerful part of the aerial community. Your friends are watching and learning from you.
I think, when we can trust each other to share our frustrations as a community like this, we grow together as strong people, and great aerialists!
When I shout "SADNESS" and "DESPAIR" during class, that's my silly way of saying "Congratulations for reaching the frustration level! Your work is noticed and valued!"
If you never feel frustration, you aren't pushing yourself forward. Forward movement is fueled with big feelings like frustration (just keep it in perspective) and joy (when you break through what you once thought impossible)!
Ride the Struggle Bus! It will get you there!!!
~Paula
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