Have You Ever Thanked Your Past Self?
Last week my family and I got home from a few days in Astoria.
It was a lovely trip that included a family wedding, exploring both the historic and quirky sides of Astoria, learning about the mouth of the mighty Columbia River (which also flows past our house), beautiful sunsets, and even visiting a shipwreck on the Pacific shore.
When we arrived home, Portland was in the middle of a heat wave.
Nobody wanted to cook. Everyone was hungry.
I found myself quietly thanking my past self.
The evening before we left, I had boiled a big pot of potatoes.
It wasn't anything fancy. Just one small act of preparation.
I didn't boil them because I expected a heat wave. I boiled them because I knew that if they were ready to eat, we'd eat them.
Those potatoes could become almost anything. Fried potatoes. Hash browns. Potato salad. A frittata.
One simple act had created lots of future possibilities.
As I stood in my hot kitchen, it struck me that this is exactly how I think about movement.
Your Future Self Will Thank You
Most people don't think about their movement until they're in the middle of their own "heat wave."
Pain shows up.
Walking becomes harder.
Balance feels less reliable.
They've had a fall, are recovering from surgery, or begin wondering if their body is becoming less capable than it used to be.
That's often when people start looking for help.
But what if we thought about movement the way we think about preparing a simple meal?
What if we expanded our movement vocabulary before we desperately needed it?
Building Your Movement Vocabulary
I often talk about growing your movement vocabulary.
Just as a rich spoken vocabulary gives you more ways to express yourself, a rich movement vocabulary gives you more choices for how you move through life.
That movement vocabulary might become:
Easier walking.
Better balance.
Getting down to the ground safely and back up again.
Climbing a hill.
Climbing into a kayak.
Carrying groceries.
Playing with grandchildren.
Walking confidently on uneven ground.
Whatever life asks of you.
When those moments arrive, you don't have to invent a solution.
You can draw on the movement options your brain has already learned.
That's what gentle NeuroMovement® lessons do.
They don't teach you one "correct" way to move.
They help your brain discover many more possibilities, so when life changes, your movement can change with it.
Small Preparations Create Big Possibilities
One of the things I love most about this work is that change doesn't happen through forcing or pushing.
Instead, it happens through small, enjoyable experiences that your brain recognizes as useful.
Just like those boiled potatoes.
A little preparation today creates many possibilities tomorrow.
Your future self may not know exactly when those new movement skills will be needed.
But when the moment comes, they'll be there.
And one day, just like I did standing in my kitchen, you may find yourself quietly thanking your past self.
A Noticing Invitation
This week, notice one small thing you can do that your future self might appreciate.
Maybe it's taking a gentle walk.
Maybe it's attending a movement class.
Maybe it's slowing down long enough to notice how you're moving instead of rushing through the day.
Or perhaps it's simply asking yourself:
"What movement possibilities am I preparing for tomorrow?"
Your brain is always learning.
Let's give it something wonderful to learn.
Ready to Expand Your Movement Vocabulary?
If you'd like to give your future self the gift of easier, more confident movement, I'd love to help.
Boost Your Balance is a series of gentle NeuroMovement® lessons designed to help you improve your balance, move with less effort, increase your flexibility, and feel more at home in your changing body.
You'll explore comfortable chair and floor based movement lessons in a welcoming, supportive environment. There is no pushing or stretching, just curiosity, discovery, and your brain's remarkable ability to learn.
Choose the option that works best for you:
Online Classes
Tuesdays at 11:00 AM (Pacific)
In Person at Taborspace, Portland
Wednesdays at 11:10 AM
Whether you're hoping to improve your balance, recover from an injury, move with greater ease, or simply enjoy moving again, you'll be warmly welcomed.
Your brain is always learning. Let's give it something wonderful to learn together.