So I've started my martial arts life over again several times since I began training in 2008.
I've moved across country three times - Mississippi to Nevada, Nevada to Texas, and Texas to Missouri.
Each time, I've had to undergo the same process of
Figuring out what martial arts training options are available where I'm moving
Investigating
Picking one to train with (and hoping it works out)
Settling into my new martial arts life (usually after several false starts)
Here's what I've learned in the process of rebooting:
What you want isn't always available, so you have to be flexible
You might be surprised by what you'll enjoy doing that you didn't know you would
You have to put yourself out there (very hard for you introverts, I know)
You can't be afraid to try totally new things way outside your comfort zone
Martial arts training is always about the journey - don't fret too much about the destination
The last move was (perhaps) the toughest, as it involved not only finding training for ourselves and our family, but also places to teach what I do for the first time.
One part of that was successful - finding places to teach Presas Arnis. We were able to get a Meetup going, and through martial arts "family" connections, I found a school to teach out of as well, so I'm going to call that a win.
My personal training life... not so much.
I have not found a martial arts "home" for me and my family here in KC. It's not from lack of trying and it isn't because there aren't some awesome people here (there certainly are). Right now, we are still just training together, going to seminars, and seeing my teacher once in a great while.
Our best option for me & Mr. Chick became impossible for me to train with after I got my new job (the schedule does not work at all) and now Mr. Chick can't go there, either, as he works nights.
I haven't found a true martial arts home for Younger Daughter either, although I've met some really great people along the way. Sometimes it's the schedule not working out correctly, sometimes it's just not a good fit for what Younger Daughter needs... but we haven't found one yet.
That's hard for our family, being the "let's all train" kind of people for all of Younger Daughter's life.
We're not sure how to solve this yet, either. We're willing to drive for the right place, but work and school makes it really tough to be able to commute more than 10-15 minutes.
But I'm not giving up on it. Mr. Chick's schedule might change, things around me might change, and well, my teacher in Texas I found by pure, unadulterated luck (dude was not much of a presence online) so maybe by keeping putting ourselves out there, we'll find someone like him here.
So two years in after the move to Kansas City, the "reboot" of my martial arts life isn't complete.
I'll keep working on it.
Did you "reboot" your martial arts life? What factors were important to you as you rebuilt things? What did you give up? Any suggestions for people having to start or restart their training? Let us know in the comments!