WHY?
It’s a question so often asked by friends, family, coworkers, and random strangers. Why do we get up so early? Why do we look forward to MWF mornings? Why do we find joy and motivation within a group of people we barely* even know?
*The first thing they don’t realize is that after meeting people at NP, you feel like you’ve known them forever
It’s a question that, despite the abounding number of times I’ve been asked, I still need to take a second to think about it. And while my answer varies every time (because I’m probably trying to recruit that person and emphasize an aspect of NP that might draw them in), the general idea is always the same: NP has given me a gift (or a present for the sake of the title of this blog post).
In this day and age of social media craze and the 24 hr news cycle, it’s exceedingly harder to “unplug”. Sure you could be like Jake and get off the grid for a week in the mountains, but when you’re back in the thick of it, what changes? Ride the metro or stand at a street corner and more likely than not >75% of people will be on their phones “interacting” with people. But how much satisfaction is the general public getting from these “interactions”?
Showing up to November Project not only provided incredible friendships but it reinforced the beauty of real human interaction. It presented me with a present: the presence of mind to be present (sorry, I had to). Look up from your phone they said. Get to know someone in person, face to face and not on social media. Since almost all of us yearn for real human connection (S/O Cam Thompson, the creator of the NP bounce “connection”), let’s not deprive people of that.
Scrolling through the myriad of social media channels to see someone’s photos, thoughts, and daily routine might make you feel connected to that person but will 10 out of 10 times NOT make them feel more connected to you. Unplugging (removal of phone notifications) was not my idea (undeniable gratitude to my future wife) but it’s helped me realize that I need to make more of an effort in my face to face interactions. And while I agree that a healthy amount of the November Project movement has been fueled via social media interactions, the real meat of the movement involves showing up, smiling at someone, getting to know them bit by bit, remembering their name at the next workout, and building relationships. All that social media hype is simply to remind you what real, live, human connection looks like–pics of people hugging, high-fiving, partner-planking, whatever.
To be honest, there’s nothing like exploring your city with like-minded humans. People that are ready to smile, hug it out (at least one hug?), and run/bike/plank/hoistie/burpee the city with you. When we go even further out, like we’re doing for #4CornerFridays, it gives you a chance to meet people that live in your hood, run/bike pool to the workout, and EXPLORE. NEVER STOP. Why? It’s a blast. Use the social page for more of that.
Now, I’m not saying you should be best friends with EVERY person at the workout. You don’t even have to know everyone’s name. That’s not how life works. BUT, enabling yourself to BE PRESENT at the workout and interacting with other like-minded individuals that also want to better their city WILL make you a happier person. Try getting to know one new person a week. Talk to strangers. It makes all the difference. They might be your next best friend or they might just be a mutual motivator at workouts.
Side note: I 100% realize that for the more introverted people, this is a lot to ask. Getting past that barrier of talking to someone is tough. I guarantee it feels better than any social media interaction. So when you’re ready, we’re here for you.
So for those of you that are sitting on the sidelines, get up. Coach is putting you in and there’s no limit to the number of people we can have on the field. We are one team. One cliche community. One movement. A fusion of all ages, all backgrounds, and all levels of fitness creating a space where you can be you, be present, be happier, be stronger, and change your life and surroundings for the better. And it WILL change your life if you let it.
So we’ll see you out there?
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MONDAY: Meridian Hill Park, NE corner, 6:29AM we will be tagging for #Pride2017. Bring a light colored shirt (preferably white or gray for the rainbow)
WEDNESDAY: Lincoln Memorial, 5:25 & 6:20AM
FRIDAY: Workout in DC with a babysitter while Jake, Maria, and Steve are at November Project #5UMMIT in Boston
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