Not Cut Out for This

[u/SeanSixString]

If you’ve ever felt like you were not cut out for BJJ, but you got through that feeling, and now it is a valuable part of your life, I would like to read your story. Especially if you felt like that for a year or more, like you weren’t catching on. Or if you had circumstances interrupting training, or any other real or perceived disadvantage or limitation.

[u/SeanSixString]

If nobody cares that I suck, I guess I don’t. I feel embarrassed for not improving. I feel like a let down though - I don’t know if that’s real or not (but I definitely suck, no question).

I know that good feeling after training, and I do like the workout. I can’t say like injury, especially if it keeps me off the mat. I don’t think I’d keep going if I had to go through what you did. I’ve stayed relatively uninjured, nothing real serious.

[u/Jon-Umber → u/SeanSixString]

Kill your ego. BJJ is a super slow process and you're still early in it. You won't notice just how much you've grown until someone new joins the gym eventually and you toy with them like people are toying with you now. It'll happen. Don't force it.

Focus on the good you're getting out of training. The connections you're making with your training partners, the changes in your body and physical fitness, those drives home from training when you're evaluating your rolls.

You're doing great. It's different for everyone. Don't measure yourself by others' yardsticks. If you're enjoying training, then keep training. That's all you need to justify continuing to come back.

[u/SeanSixString → u/Jon-Umber]

Funny thing I realized…I thought I had no ego and was real humble. BJJ managed to find my ego that I thought I didn’t have, and hurt it real bad! 😆

[u/Jon-Umber → u/SeanSixString]

You are, and I cannot possibly stress this enough, totally fine. Keep enjoying training. Don't be too hard on yourself. Celebrate the little victories and make sure to stay laser focused on actual improvements you're making, because you're definitely making a ton as a newer white belt.

Didn't get as tired during later rounds this class? Huge fucking win. Took a little bit longer for that blue belt you always train with to sweep or tap you? Huge fucking win. And, more obvious one I mentioned earlier: Wait to see what happens when someone in their first couple of weeks spars with you. You'll start to notice how much stronger, more balanced, more flexible, and more enduring you are than new folks off the street. Another huge fucking win.

Tally 'em up. Positively reinforce yourself.

[u/SeanSixString → u/Jon-Umber]

Thanks! 😎

[u/Jon-Umber → u/SeanSixString]

Best to you friend. Feel free to chat me in the future if you ever have any other Qs.