Finding joy in your unique journey and letting go of the pressure to “keep up”
In today’s world, comparison doesn’t just happen in the studio; social media gives us constant, filtered access to others’ successes. Seeing people mastering advanced pole or aerial moves, flowing through routines, or sharing jaw-dropping tricks can be inspiring. But when we're endlessly scrolling through highlight reels of perfect performances, it’s easy to feel like we’re “falling behind.” The good news? You don’t have to let comparison steal your joy or sideline your progress.
Here’s how to refocus on your unique path and keep moving forward with confidence.
The Social Media Trap
Social media connects us to a global pole and aerial community, which is incredible for inspiration and learning. But, it also shows only the peaks of people’s journeys. When all we see are perfectly executed moves, it’s easy to think we should be progressing faster or achieving more. But here’s the truth: everyone’s journey is different. What we see online often doesn’t capture the hours of practice, challenges, or setbacks – and their progress doesn’t diminish yours.
Comparison in Classes: When Others Progress Faster
In class, we’re often training alongside others with similar ambitions, which makes it easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to classmates who might progress faster or achieve certain moves sooner. It’s natural to question if you’re “good enough” or feel discouraged, but progress in pole and aerial isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some may advance quickly due to flexibility, strength, or prior experience, while others take more time to build these attributes. Moving at your own pace doesn’t make you any less successful – every step forward counts.
Shifting the Focus Back to Yourself
If you’re finding comparison draining your motivation, here are a few strategies to help you bring the focus back to your journey:
Set Personal Goals: Try setting goals that reflect what you want, not what others are doing. This could be anything from feeling more comfortable with a new move to simply attending class consistently each week.
Limit Social Media Time: If social media is affecting your motivation, consider taking breaks or curating your feed to follow accounts that inspire you to be your best self, rather than making you feel like you’re “not enough.”
Celebrate Your Wins – Big and Small: It’s easy to overlook small achievements, but taking time to recognise them can make a big difference. Even tiny improvements – holding a pose for a few extra seconds or showing up on a tough day – are signs of progress.
How Journaling Can Help
Keeping a journal is a fantastic way to work through comparison and stay mindful of your own journey. With our Mindfulness in Motion journal, you have a dedicated space to reflect on each practice, set personal goals, and celebrate your wins. It’s designed to help you stay grounded and focus on your progress, no matter how gradual it may feel.
In your journal, try setting weekly or monthly intentions based on what you want to achieve. Write down the challenges you faced, what you accomplished, and where you want to go next. Over time, you’ll be able to look back and see how far you’ve come – and it’ll feel rewarding to have that personal record of all the small victories along the way.
So, Give Yourself Permission to Move at Your Own Pace
At the end of the day, pole and aerial are about you and your journey. Progress is progress, no matter how fast or slow it seems in comparison to others. Embrace where you’re at, celebrate what you’ve achieved, and remember: comparison is common, but it doesn’t have to define your experience. Keep showing up, enjoy the process, and take it one mindful step at a time.
Stay mindful and keep elevating your journey.
Leah Rose x
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