Moving From “I Have To” to “I Get To”
For a lot of people, movement stops being something we enjoy and slowly turns into something we have to do.
“I have to work out.”
“I have to stay disciplined.”
“I have to push through.”
What often starts as care for the body can quietly turn into pressure, obligation, or even punishment. And when that happens, movement loses its ability to regulate, heal, and connect us—it becomes another place where we feel not good enough.
At Abbey Rose Therapy, sports therapy invites a different conversation. One that gently shifts us from “I have to” toward “I get to.”
When Movement Becomes an Obligation
Many of us learned that movement equals worth. That rest is earned. That consistency matters more than how we feel. These messages can be especially loud for athletes, high achievers, and people who learned early on that pushing through pain was praised.
Over time, this can show up as:
Guilt when we rest
Anxiety when we miss a workout
Ignoring pain or exhaustion
Feeling disconnected from our body’s signals
Movement becomes something we do to our body instead of with it.
What “I Get To” Really Means
Shifting to “I get to” doesn’t mean forcing gratitude or pretending movement is always joyful. It’s not about toxic positivity or motivation quotes.
“I get to” is about choice.
It’s recognizing that movement can be a privilege, a form of expression, or a way to reconnect—when it’s rooted in agency instead of pressure. Some days, “I get to move” might mean strength training. Other days, it might mean stretching, walking, or choosing rest.
The power isn’t in doing more. It’s in listening.
Rebuilding Trust With Your Body
For many people, especially those with a history of injury, trauma, chronic pain, or burnout, this shift takes time. The body may not feel safe or trustworthy yet. Sports therapy honors that.
Instead of asking, “How hard can I push today?” we explore questions like:
What does my body need right now?
What sensations am I noticing?
What happens when I slow down?
Can I respond with curiosity instead of criticism?
This process helps rebuild a relationship with the body based on respect rather than control.
Movement as Communication, Not Punishment
Our bodies are constantly communicating with us. Fatigue, tension, soreness, and restlessness all carry information. When movement is driven by “I have to,” those signals often get ignored.
When we move from “I get to,” movement becomes a conversation. One where we’re allowed to adjust, stop, change our mind, or choose something different.
This shift can be deeply healing—especially for those who learned to override their needs to survive or succeed.
A Gentle Reframe
If you’re noticing resistance, dread, or pressure around movement, it doesn’t mean you’re lazy or unmotivated. It may be an invitation to pause and ask a different question.
Not “What should I do?”
But “What would feel supportive right now?”
Sports therapy creates space for that question—without judgment, expectations, or performance goals.
Movement doesn’t have to be earned. Your body doesn’t need fixing. And healing doesn’t come from force.
Sometimes, the most powerful shift is simply remembering:
You don’t have to move.
You get to.
And you get to choose how.
Warmly,
Abbey Vince, AMFT
