When Comp Season Meets the Winter Blues
There’s something magical about competition season. The music, the sparkly uniforms, the nerves that somehow feel exciting instead of scary. For many cheerleaders, this time of year is the heartbeat of the sport — the moment everything they’ve worked for finally comes together.
But comp season also shows up right when the days get colder, darker, and shorter. And for a lot of athletes, that shift in the weather brings a shift in their mood… one they don’t always recognize.
The Energy Drop Nobody Talks About
If you’ve ever walked into the gym on a winter afternoon, you know that feeling. It already looks like nighttime outside. Everyone’s wrapped in hoodies. The speaker is blasting 8-counts, but the room still feels a little quieter.
Some athletes come in tired. Others come in irritable. Some can’t explain why they suddenly feel “off,” even though they’re still excited about their routine. It’s not because they’re unmotivated or dramatic — it’s because winter hits people differently.
Less sunlight affects energy, focus, and mood. And when you combine that with long practices, pressure to hit skills, and the emotional roller coaster of comp season… the weight gets heavy.
The Quiet Moments Behind the Glitter
Parents and coaches often see the highlight reel: the performances, the smiles, the photos with medals.
What they don’t always see are the moments in between:
A flyer who keeps doubting herself even though she hit the same skill perfectly last week.
A base who’s usually the loudest voice on the mat suddenly turning quiet.
A junior athlete who cries in the bathroom between rounds and doesn’t know why.
Winter has a way of magnifying emotions. Things that might feel manageable in spring or summer can feel overwhelming in December and January. And when you mix the winter slump with the pressure to be perfect under bright competition lights, it can take a toll.
You’re Not Falling Behind — You’re Human
One of the hardest parts about cheer is the expectation to perform — not just in your routine, but emotionally. Cheerleaders are expected to be upbeat, spirited, and confident, even when their brains and bodies are telling them they’re tired or drained.
But needing rest doesn’t make you weak.
Feeling off doesn’t make you dramatic.
Taking longer to warm up, mentally or physically, doesn’t mean you’re losing your skills.
It means you’re human… going through a season that affects everyone differently.
The Power of Grace in the Darker Months
This is the time of year when grace matters most — from coaches, parents, teammates, and especially from the athletes themselves.
A little understanding goes a long way:
Checking in with your athletes before practice.
Recognizing when someone needs a quick breather instead of a correction.
Encouraging small wins instead of perfection.
Reminding athletes that their worth isn’t measured in hit scores or clean counts.
Comp season is intense, but it’s also an opportunity to build resilience, empathy, and teamwork — the things that last long after the trophies fade.
The Light Always Comes Back
The beautiful thing about winter is that it doesn’t stay forever. The days get longer again. The energy returns. The heaviness lifts. And athletes who kept going — even slowly, even imperfectly — come out stronger.
So if this season feels a little heavier than usual, you’re not alone.
The cheer world is full of glitter and growth, pressure and passion, exhaustion and joy. And somewhere in the middle of it, you’re learning how to show up for yourself — even on the darker days.
And that’s worth celebrating.