National Get Up Day

Celebrating the Beauty of Rising Again

Every year on February 1st, National Get Up Day reminds us of one simple yet profound truth: life is about picking ourselves up after a fall. While it’s rooted in figure skating, the message resonates far beyond ice rinks. It’s a day for everyone, regardless of athletic prowess or balance on a slippery surface, to celebrate perseverance, resilience, and the courage to try again.

How It All Began

National Get Up Day was established by U.S. Figure Skating in 2017 as a way to inspire people to embrace their falls—both literal and metaphorical. Figure skating, a sport that combines athleticism, artistry, and technical precision, often requires years of practice and countless falls before achieving mastery. The governing body recognized that the lessons learned on the ice—resilience, determination, and persistence—were universally applicable.

The idea came from the realization that everyone faces challenges, setbacks, and failures, regardless of their pursuits. By creating a day to acknowledge and celebrate the courage it takes to rise again, U.S. Figure Skating sought to inspire not just athletes but people from all walks of life to view their setbacks as stepping stones. This national observance has since become a meaningful day to share stories of overcoming adversity and encouraging others to do the same.

Why Falling Is Universal

Falling is an experience that transcends age, gender, and background. It’s part of the human condition. Whether it’s a clumsy trip over your own feet, a career setback, or an awkward social faux pas, everyone has experienced some form of a fall. It’s a reminder that perfection is a myth and that life’s journey is often messy and unpredictable.

Consider the many ways we encounter falls:

• In Learning: Any new skill requires trial and error, from learning to ride a bike to mastering a musical instrument.
• In Careers: Missed promotions, failed projects, or job losses can feel like monumental setbacks but often lead to new opportunities.
• In Relationships: Misunderstandings, disagreements, or breakups are common experiences that teach us about communication and self-growth.
• In Daily Life: Tripping, dropping things, or making mistakes are everyday occurrences that keep us grounded and humble.

Falling reminds us that life isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about progress and the ability to adapt and move forward.

The Art of Getting Back Up

Recovering from a fall, whether physical or metaphorical, is an art form. It requires determination, self-awareness, and the right mindset. Here are a few tips to master the fine art of getting back up:

1. Acknowledge the Fall Pretending it didn’t happen only makes things worse. Own up to it and move forward.
2. Assess the Damage Sometimes a fall leaves you with a bruised ego; other times, it’s a bit more serious. Take a moment to assess what went wrong and how you can avoid a repeat.
3. Learn from It Every fall is an opportunity to learn something new. Reflect on what caused the stumble and use it as a stepping stone for improvement.
4. Ask for Help There’s no shame in seeking support. Whether it’s advice, mentorship, or just a listening ear, reaching out can make the process of getting back up much easier.
5. Take Small Steps If the fall was significant, don’t feel pressured to bounce back instantly. Focus on small, manageable steps to regain confidence and momentum.
6. Focus on Your Strengths Remind yourself of your capabilities and past achievements to build resilience and self-belief.
7. Keep Trying Whether you’re learning a new skill, mending a relationship, or chasing a dream, the key is to keep moving forward. Progress isn’t always linear, and that’s okay.

Fun Ways to Celebrate National Get Up Day

While the day encourages deep reflection on perseverance, it’s also a perfect opportunity to engage in meaningful activities that embody its message. Here are some expanded and creative ways to celebrate:

• Try Something New: Whether it’s ice skating, a dance class, or public speaking, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. If you fall, view it as part of the process and keep going.
• Create a Vision Board: Reflect on goals or areas in your life where you’ve experienced setbacks. Design a vision board showcasing how you want to rise above these challenges and what success looks like to you.
• Host a Story-Sharing Session: Gather friends, family, or colleagues and encourage everyone to share personal stories of falling and getting back up. These sessions can inspire and strengthen bonds.
• Watch Inspirational Movies or Documentaries: Choose films that highlight resilience, such as biographical dramas or documentaries about individuals who overcame great odds.
• Write a Letter to Your Future Self: Reflect on a current struggle and write a letter to yourself about how you’re committed to persevering. Reading it later can serve as a powerful reminder of your journey.
• Volunteer or Mentor: Help someone else who might be struggling. Volunteering at a local shelter, tutoring, or offering mentorship are ways to help others rise.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Make a list of recent achievements, no matter how small, and take a moment to celebrate them. Recognizing progress can fuel your motivation to keep going.
• Document Your Progress: Start a journal or create a scrapbook documenting your personal growth and moments of resilience. Revisiting these records can boost your confidence during tough times.

Why We Need This Day

In a world that often celebrates perfection and overnight success, National Get Up Day is a refreshing reminder that resilience is where the real magic happens. Success isn’t about never falling; it’s about what you do when you hit the ground. Every fall is an opportunity to learn, grow, and become stronger.

So this February 1st, take a moment to reflect on your own get-up stories. Whether you stumbled on ice, bombed a presentation, or faced a major life challenge, remember that each time you rose again, you became a little braver. Celebrate that courage—and maybe keep some ice packs handy, just in case.

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