Let's talk about expectation for a second.
What do you imagine your first visit back to Crag X looking like?
Do a little scan of yourself as you think about this, do you feel excitement burning in your mind and heart? Palms get a little sweaty and your stomach tightens because there's a little bit of uneasiness there? Fingertips tantalized with curiosity to see what the difference a few months off the wall will have done?
These, and everything in between, are all valid reactions to returning to anything after a time apart. Us climbers have a bit of a thrill seeker in us and we're pretty good at pushing through pain and discomfort. That often comes with higher expectations of ourselves to perform under pressure. A first of anything comes with pressure and expectations of its own. In this time of global uncertainty it's good to know and honour our feelings which may be more heightened or pressurized than usual.
Before your first visit back to the gym, take the time to check in with those feelings and sensations of expectation. They are valuable tools to knowing more about ourselves.
On your first visit, take a moment before your first climb to orient yourself to the space again. Stand or sit somewhere comfortable and let your eyes wander over the walls, up at the lights, across the floors. Just let your eyes do the moving and try not to specifically look at things. Orienting yourself to the environment gives you time. Time to process the changes in the space and in yourself that have occurred in the time away. Time gives your expectation time to settle.
Deep breath.
As you climb, be gentle on yourself. Enjoy the physical sensations of the movements of climbing, the soft release between each vertebra as your spine twists, the strength and stability that your legs and feet can provide, the familiar texture of the holds under your hands.
Ask yourself - Does it feel like home again? With all that has passed can you find that old comfort and release? If not, can your mind be more gentle? Can it let your body move with ease to allow a deep breath to come and release your tension?
Warmed up?
Ready?
Go.