Lost the rhythm

For more than 37 years I have been a member of a percussion ensemble, a percussion group. I live by the words of Frizzle Sizzle: 'Everything has a Rhythm'. A few weeks now, we are awakened daily by the hammering of piles in the area. That has to start at 6.40 am and ends exactly at 7.20 am. Construction workers coffee time? And after that you hear nothing for hours… once everyone has woken up, they apparently do the noiseless jobs. Anyway, instead of driving me crazy or cranky, I fill the silences between the thumps with very soft snaps of my fingers. At this rate, my feet hit the steps, I open the door, pet the cat, and make a sandwich.
So there's almost nothing I can do about it. For example: often in the gym you can hear some house music. If we do jumping jacks during a warm-up and the trainer says 'now a little faster', then for me he should put on different music with a faster beat, otherwise it doesn't make sense. And when I walk, I march earlier, always with a rhythmic tune in my head.

But now, during another annoying lockdown, I'm losing the rhythm a bit. Everything is slacking off, I don't seem to be able to push myself to anything. I used to juggle the dumbbells every night; I haven't even lifted them off the ground for the last month. Those little arms of mine.. it wasn't all that great, but now they don't make any sense at all! Not literally either: they no longer hit a drum or drum kit, they no longer hit a punching bag, not with a racket against a squash ball… Before everything had to close, I went kickboxing at least twice a week for an hour. Then always walking to the gym and back, which in itself involved 40 minutes of exercise. But now we have to sort ourselves out at home a bit. Bravely rolled out a mat, put on the shorts, filled Dopper with water. And after 4 minutes of online training you think 'I'm hungry for a speculaasje' and you call it a day. Tasteless snack.

It will probably get better from this week! We have started the rehearsals of the percussion group again, a squash court has been reserved and kickboxing is also in the planning. High time to get life back on track, to pick up the rhythm again. You just need your certain rituals to keep things going. That also requires discipline, but I think it has to do with regularity to a greater extent. In any case, routine makes an intention easier.

In 2020, on this very day, I already wrote about the 'magic 21 days'. I had read somewhere that it would take 21 days for something constant to become a habit. If you drink six mugs of coffee every day or, for example, a glass of wine while cooking, you miss it enormously on an exceptional coffee or wine-free day. If you spend hours playing games or watching TV every day, it is very difficult to leave it alone for a day. You almost automatically turn the equipment back on and without thinking about it, you may be wasting a lot of time on this hobby for years.
Theoretically, you can of course also teach yourself something positive. Try to plank for 30 seconds or do 10 to 15 presses every day for three full weeks, just while waiting for the pressure cooker for your morning cup of tea. After that, without hesitation or delay, you'll just keep doing it, perhaps for the rest of your life.

And with regard to our IkPas adventure you could say; after today we have had no alcohol for 21 consecutive days, so not drinking has become our new habit! I hope it works that way. I only think of myself that I am a bit cheating, because I never drink anything alcoholic every day. Only on Friday and/or Saturday evenings and sometimes during the week at a party or other special occasion. That's why I'm going to try not to drink for 21 consecutive weekends (ie weeks). With Pentecost I can pour myself a delicious specialty beer. But maybe I don't even need it anymore..?

First complete this IkPas period together. I'm curious if for most who have already established 'the habit' for 21 alcohol-free days, then the remaining 9 days should be a breeze. Put it on… and leave it!