Should I demote myself if I haven't trained in a while?

Many practitioners over the years, for one reason or another, but specially after a long lay off, feel like they don't deserve that rank anymore. While this is a very humble character display, it's something that should never be considered! 

At one point in your training, you worked hard and put the time to earn it, so that's forever yours! Be proud of it, and if anything, hustle hard to get back to your previous physical and technical form. There's no embarrassment for performing poorly against lower ranks when you return to training. Expect and embrace that fact as it is part of the path back to your old self. 

Your attitude will dictate your future!