I have lost all passion that i had for my martial art. I find it very hard to actually go to train, i feel stuck in a total rut where i don't feel like i am improving. I have done defence lab for about 2 years or so and a little bit of BJJ and panantukan and i kind of dont know what i want to do, part of me wants to just quit.
Whit, when was the last time you took a break, or sat and wrote down your goals / reviewed what you need from your training? Firstly gains are only made when you are on top of your sleep/rest and hydration. In addition you need to fuel your workouts, so are you eating correctly? If you are hydrated, well fuelled, sleeping well and taking rest days then you either need to do less, or review your motivation. Use the smart profile when defining your goals. Specific Whatever programme you do must meet the target you want it to. Measurable This is the way you measure your results. You could for example record the number of basketball shots you could accurately do before and after the training programme. In your case it may be a good idea to log each week or month how much closer you are to your stated goal. Achievable Whatever you set out to achieve it has to be possible. Realistic It must be possible and realistic to achieve what it is you intend to achieve. Time-based You must allow a reasonable amount of time to complete your desired programme. Goal Setting What do I want to achieve Where am I now What do I need to do to move from my present state to my desired state Then present on a scale. Write in your goal at point 5 and your present position at point 1 Decide what would be halfway between points 1 and 5 and this is your goal for point 3 Then decide what would be halfway between your present state and point 3, this is your short term goal for point 2 Then decide what would be halfway between point 3 and the desired state. This is the goal for point 4 All these goals and outcomes must be set using the SMART principle. Work out what needs to be done to move from point to point 2. These are your process goals and again must be set against the SMART principle. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I dont see the point, my martial art gets slated no matter where i go to actually talk about it. I dont like the marketing for it either but its not like i can actually do anything about it.
I've bolded the relevant section of your statement. Your martial art. the one you chose and the one you've trained in. In my experience of over 30 years there are many keyboard warriors ready to slate someone else's martial art. Not surprisingly they never show up when challenged and they never post videos of their own work. Some train for self defence, some for the ring and the vast majority for the social element and because they love it. Not everyone wants to train for the ring and it's certainly not the case that those that do are greater martial artists. They have just taken a different path. A fight lasts about 15 - 30 seconds at most, so straight away you can see why training for an MMA bout is of no use to the self defence crowd. Likewise the SD lot and the top fighters are found out in a Tai Chi class. Train for what you want, not what others claim is best for you. In my case I train JKD and search through MAP and you'll fine many who claim Bruce Lee was just an actor and a terrible martial artist. I know better being on the inside, but I train in it not for that insight, but because it suits me physically and spiritually. Martial arts aren't the be all and end all, so if you've really fallen out of love take a two month break through the summer and see if you miss it.
Defences technically is a mix of inosanto Kali and jkd that the founder was a instructor through Bob Breen.
Man, Simon is right, you need to train for a purpose. I knew when I started that I wanted to fight because otherwise what was the point? I wanted to test everything I was taught. If you're not testing it under pressure it's not going to work under pressure. This doesn't mean that you need to compete, but do something more alive and test it, see where you can improve. JT's Sim Days are excellent for trying out your material. If it's not fun, don't do it. That said, definitely write out your goals, get things moving.
I spar all the time, I've been attacked on 3 separate occasions where the training has worked but nothing has ever been good enough for people online.
Nothing wrong with taking a break. It's good for you and even opens up new opportunities. I dropped martial arts for ballet a while back, and it gave me a better career. Be kind to yourself.
If it works for you then it works! No complaints. You're in the UK right? Come to the MAP meet next weekend and meet us all
Whit - you do seem to be a little down. Have you spoken to a doctor or someone else about how you are feeling? Hang in there.
Might be time to talk to a doctor. There is no shame in asking for help to manage your mental health. I need help, and had to rely on it only a few weeks ago. How is your sleep?
Ok great. I don't want you to feel like I'm interrogating you with questions. Let us know if there anything else we can do to help.