WALK THIS WAY walk this way by ANEL OOSTHUIZEN
The Identity Beyond
As we see other countries going back into lockdown , we are afraid that it might happen to us again , and this made me think back to what our situation was like just five months ago . As October was Mental Health Awareness Month , I thought it would be fitting to talk about how I coped mentally during lockdown , and how it affected me as an athlete .
We cannot deny that lockdown has affected all of us in some way ,
whether it has been financially , mentally or physically . We have all spoken about how we kept ourselves busy during lockdown , from creating home gyms and doing all kinds of challenges , to catching the banana bread baking ‘ craze .’ However , what I haven ’ t really spoken about to anyone is how I coped with having the biggest part of my life ‘ stripped ’ away for a few months .
When lockdown was announced , I saw for the first time in my life how almost everything in the entire world was put on hold . Throughout my life , things have happened where I ’ d wish everything could come to a standstill , just so that I , selfishly , could regain balance and then pick up where I left off . But as we all know , the world does not work like that . You could stand still , but everything else around you will continue moving . Actually , it will speed by .
Reading that , you may think that I would have a negative view of lockdown , but it is actually the opposite case . Looking back now , I think lockdown was the best thing that could have ever happened to me . I know this may sound absurd , but let me explain . As a long distance athlete I have been used to training outside on the open road each day , not being forced to stay in one space , and although it was not ideal being ‘ boxed ’ in , it taught me so much about myself . I really got to know another side of me , I got to see a glimpse of the identity beyond Anél the athlete .
Trying New Things
I have been an athlete my whole life , so most things I have done were focused on how they would affect my athletics , and how I would fit things into my training schedule . When that was taken away during lockdown , I realised I could do anything I wanted to , without having to look at my training programme or my watch . It was such a liberating and refreshing feeling !
I got to do things that I would not normally do . I started listening to podcasts , I tried new recipes , I started running a bit ( around the house , but it still counts !), and I did some proper gym work . I also started a business venture with my mom , something that does not have anything to do with athletics , but has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl , and something that we have wanted to do for over a year , but didn ’ t have the time for until now .
The point I am trying to make is that I discovered things that I enjoyed other than my sport . I found things that I am really good at , and things that I didn ’ t even know I was capable of . I got to spend real quality time with my family , and it felt like we got to share so much of our thoughts and ideas on a whole new level . I got to know the real me even better as a person , without the ‘ label ’ of athlete , and I also did a lot of reflection on self-worth . This was actually a topic on a podcast I listened to , and afterwards I thoroughly examined myself about who I really am when that label is taken away .
Fresh Outlook
This was more refreshing than you will ever know , as I got to dig really deep over a period of time , and I saw that life is about so much more than just stepping on the podium . Don ’ t get me wrong , I will never stop loving the feeling of accomplishment – that is just part of who I am – but I realised how doing things that you truly love should be prioritised , and how you should make time to just have some fun .
I love that I got to spend time with the “ at home , chilled me ’’ for a bit , and loved seeing myself thrive in a different aspect of my life , away from racing . It taught me so much about having a well-balanced life , and that life is truly too short to not find joy in the small things . So find your joy and share it with those around you . You will be surprised how many people need to see other people bloom in order to be inspired to look for their own ray of sunshine !
About the Author
Race Walker Anel Oosthuizen is a multiple SA Champion and Record Holder , and represented SA in the women ’ s 20km at the 2016 Rio Olympics .
Images : Courtesy Anel Oosthuizen
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ISSUE 135 NOVEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za