“I may not be the strongest, I may not be the fastest, but I’ll be damned if I’m not trying my hardest!”

This is not just about cycling. This is not about keeping up with the “superior athletes”. It’s also about life. There are lots of stressors in our lives; family, friends, home, work, finances, and more. The pressure is always on to be better, do more, do better!

At home, your family have their needs and wants; your partner wants more time, kids are in ever need of attention, helping with schoolwork, and playing taxi. The house and garden need to be kept ship-shape. Friends leaning on you to enjoy a braai, go out for drinks, supper, dancing or helping them with something on the weekend.

Then there is work, deadlines, a grumpy boss and colleagues who are not pulling their weight. If you are your own boss, keeping the work funnel full, and the bank manager happy. Finances! Could anyone ever have enough of the green paper stuff, that pays the bills, feeds the family and contributes to a comfortable lifestyle?

These are all things that turn the pressure on, and eventually, you feel like a headless chicken running around in circles. The word inadequate comes to mind, the feeling of not accomplishing, not being good enough, not being available enough, not being… You start doubting yourself.

When you get this feeling, take a breather, have a cup of tea, coffee, a glass of wine or a beer and calmly reflect. Realise that by your standards, you are accomplishing, are good enough and available to the ever demands of life. Don’t allow anyone to cloud your picture! You are trying your hardest!

Artwork by Luculle Stols – @real.life.rebel on Instagram