I have shared this before, but for those who don’t know, I have a Coach who I meet with every month.
My coach isn’t a physical coach, although I always feel better physically after a session, but she is a Mindset Coach. I’ve just had a session last week and as part of the chat, we got onto the subject of ‘values’, in particular my most,
hard-wired, non-negotiable, value which is ‘loyalty’.
Now loyalty can be seen as a strength, but it can also start to hold us back, as I am finding out.
As a strength I am loyal to the people I care about, to the work I do, to the principles I live by. Loyalty to my Pilates family, loyalty to what I start, what I promise, what I believe in.
It’s something I carry proudly in my bones — and maybe you do too. Those of you who have been with JTP
for years definitely have shown loyalty, and I really appreciate this and am grateful for this every single day.
However, what I am discovering is that sometimes this fierce loyalty can keep us stuck — stuck in relationships, roles, routines, mindsets that no longer serve us, simply because we’ve always been there.
Loyalty shows commitment — not letting anyone down, investment of time, energy, heart and soul. But suddenly loyalty can become heavy, and
instead of keeping connection, it can leave us feeling anchored but not in a good ‘Pilates’ way.
It has shown up in my life recently and I expect some of you have experienced this too.
Maybe it’s loyalty to:
- an old way of doing things, even though you’ve outgrown it
- an inner voice that tells you you’re ’not the type’ to change or take risks
- a role or identity that’s so familiar, you cling to it even though you’re ready to
evolve
- being the one who always says ‘yes’ — because that’s what you do.
Sometimes being loyal can be like wearing blinkers — we are existing not thriving, going along in life, only seeing what is straight in front of us, rather than noticing what might be sitting to the side. We can exist and continue to take the path immediately in front, staying loyal to our behaviours, but to thrive we want to open up those blinkers, even if just a fraction, so we can start
to notice the green grass to the right of us or the mountains to the left.
So this is my personal question to ask myself:
Is my loyalty to my loyalty value clouding my awareness for my future?
Perhaps this will resonate with you too.
Here’s the learning — slowly, gently — we can still be loyal without being stuck.
We can be loyal to
growth, loyal to our body when it whispers (or shouts) for rest or change. Loyal to the values that lift us up, while giving permission to let go of old patterns that don’t. Remember:
- it’s not disloyal to grow
- it’s not selfish to reassess
- it’s not a betrayal to say that version of me was right for then, but now I’m evolving.
So perhaps over the week ahead consider what you are loyal to right now and ask yourself if it is
serving the person you are becoming. Be honest, have compassion and a little lightness … and remember I like to mix up the big thoughts with stretchy hamstrings and a good cuppa …. 😉
Have a great week folks — let’s keep looking, moving and feeling good together.
With love and support,
Jane xxx
