Brown belt or black belt. Reaching milestones can spark a new question: is the climb worth the view?

 

Posted by ADAM CARTER on APR 17, 2024

Brown belt or black belt. Reaching milestones can spark a new question: is the climb worth the view?

 

(1 minute 55 second read)

It’s a familiar sight in any karate dojo: students you see today might be gone tomorrow. Life throws curveballs, and sometimes karate falls off the priority list.

There are so many adults that regret quitting the martial arts when they are young. I can almost guarantee that anyone who quits training at a brown belt level will one day regret it, or at least they talk about how “I used to do karate.”

But why do people quit in the first place?

The reasons are many. The initial excitement might fade, especially for those who see karate as a casual activity. Trying to balance training with work, school, or a teenager’s ever-changing social life can be a constant struggle.

Frustration with progress or a feeling of inadequacy can lead some to lose faith in themselves and walk away. Injuries or illnesses can disrupt training and make it difficult to pick things back up after recovery.

Especially at key milestones like brown or black belt, students might find themselves questioning the long climb to even higher ranks.

For teenagers in particular, the social and physical changes of adolescence can shift priorities, making karate less appealing compared to newfound interests.

Regardless of the reason, the way people quit often follows a similar pattern. Some simply vanishing without a word – it leaves instructors and dojo friends in the dark.

Last-minute communication via text or email might be convenient, but it’s impersonal and doesn’t offer closure.

So, how can both students considering leaving and instructors facing departures navigate the situation effectively?

Students, talk to your instructor! Share your challenges and explore solutions together. Maybe a temporary break or a modified training schedule can help you stay engaged.

If you’ve ultimately decided to leave, don’t be embarrassed to inform your instructor in person. Thank them for their time and let them know you might return if circumstances change.

The martial arts are a hobby for most people practicing today. Those of us who have managed to stick with it and have been doing it for a long time, we like to say that it’s “a way of life” and a philosophy for living by, but unfortunately, it’s not true for the vast majority of people.

There maybe unexpected financial considerations, or many will just get bored, like people do for any hobby. And even for the ones who don’t become bored, there’s always a new life direction, family to consider. For a teenager; a driving license, collage, university, work, etc. all will take priority and many young people will now just move in that new direction.

Everyone’s journey within the martial arts is different. Each person has a different beginning and end. At some point it will end for me as it will for you. The journey and path is up to you to follow and for however long you see fit. In the end, you will only regret the chances you didn’t take.

After all, karate is a journey, and sometimes that journey takes an unexpected turn.