Dealing with the “valleys” of training

I always think even further, it’s just a matter of weeks/months in the years to be.

Also the valley is way above sea level where you started from

Well, I assume a lot of black belts experienced this, and their advice is always "keep training".

So... just keep training. The valleys aren't infinite.

Just keep showing up, no matter how deep the valley or how high the peak

Every time I hit a rut it’s followed by big jumps in my game. I’ll find a pass or sub that fits perfectly into my game, figure how to counter a common sub. Literally every training rut is followed by the complete opposite.

Just keep showing up

I'm not a fan of the peaks and valleys analogy, because the valleys are almost always an illusion. They feel like valleys because the peaks feel so good. But consistent training rarely ever looks like a good stock market with rollercoaster ups and downs but more up than down. It is almost always going up. You're pretty much never getting worse. The valleys are just smaller increments, inching forward. If you train well and consistently for a long time, you will almost certainly get really good at pretty much anything.

Not to mention, in jiu jitsu in particular, it's very hard to accurately assess your rate of progress, because you're constantly comparing yourself to moving targets. Teammates who have their own rates of progress. In the end, it isn't even important. Just have fun, keep showing up, and keep trying to refine your process of growth (try to learn more, try to figure out ways to learn better, seek new challenges, keep pushing forward).

If i were in your shoes, i'd get myself an instructional to study or two. It'l give me something to work on and help break a slump.

Choose a position that you want to work on - maybe one defense and one offense. If you plan to do bjj long term, studying even at a cost will pay off.

I just try not to to think about it. I focus instead on whatever detail or transition I need to work on, and I work on it. Continued work produces progress, whether we notice it or not.

Just keep training. You're just starting to learn the power of Gracie Jiujitsu. Your brain and body are just trying to catch up with each other. More training is for sure the answer. You're still new enough you dont have to focus on anything.

I been a blue a year and a half. I've been focused on a pretty small number of techniques the whole time, and there are plenty of classes where I get violated bell to bell. But I've yet to have the blue belt blues. I'm always seeing progress or gaining a new understanding of the stuff I'm working. My problems training are limited to not being able to train as much as I want because of life and health.

Train because you enjoy it. Embrace the trials. Keep showing up.

I've never hit a plateau is BJJ, there so much to learn I dunno why you would.