Some people will tell you fitness is overrated. I argue that it is one of the most important things in the world…when framed in the right context. (I wrote this short article in 2018 and decided to post it here.)
When you take a step back and think about life as you have come to experience it, what do you find yourself caring about? What are your values, where do you want to place your time and energy?
Aside from the cliche “Health, Wealth, Love, Happiness” we hear all the time (thank you Tai Lopez) ff you were to ask me what I think matters the most in life, I would say the quality of self-talk.
This is a form of contentment that will ultimately mold people into the crux of who they are and how they see and subsequently interact with the world.
Self-talk is that ongoing inner dialogue we have with ourselves every hour of every day. It can be challenging to monitor and even more difficult to master through the terrible times and curveballs life throws our way.
Truth is, we need to strike a balance between confidence, competence, and internal fulfilment no matter how bleak things may seem on the outside.
I am grateful for my life. But I have struggled immensely with negative self-talk. Earlier this year, I decided to open up and write candidly about my struggles on and off with depression and anxiety. I still find myself lost in my own head on a constant basis.
Journalling, meditation, giving conscious gratitude, taking deep breaths…this all helps, don’t get me wrong.
But what I have found to be a consistent ally for years is connecting with my body, be it running, yoga, lifting weights, or going for a walk around the neighbourhood.
I know I am not alone when I say how difficult it can be to find the time and energy to use your body on a regular basis for something more than just everyday living. Life calls upon us to do many things and fitness is not seen as a priority.
If you subscribe to stoic philosophy you will know that happiness should never be a goal. Many people make the mistake of mixing up happiness versus pleasure and succumb to chasing small bursts of dopamine (bigger car, new clothes, hookups, etc.) to get by in life.
I get that and I have been there. I find myself still there from time to time. In this light, focusing on obtaining pleasure–or happiness for that matter–could lead you down the road of addiction, insecurities, or worse.
Yet simply ignoring your feelings or pushing through an agitated mental state will do the same damage. You need to find effective tools to boost your well-being on a regular basis. Anyone who tells you otherwise is only fooling themselves.
The real change comes in the day to day. Start small and start smart. Do not overthink things, and getting help for learning smart physical activity is a sign of strength, NOT weakness.
I hope that you, too, can find intentional exercise and movement to be as helpful as I do in letting myself know that I am worth it and reminding myself to smile, even if it is at the silly little things….
