Drowning?
As someone who almost drowned and had to be resuscitated, I can say that it seems like a pretty good way to go. Once the initial struggle is replaced by acceptance of death, it is quite serene. I think the worst way to go would be in that in between phase, where it is just panic and struggle.
I think that this is whare many of us are now.
We aren't floundering in water, but in life itself, trying to survive under the constant pressures applied on us and by us in daily life. For most in this position, the only "escape" is through entertainment distraction in one form or another. Yet the more we do this, the greater the problems become, and the more we spiral downward, feeling victimised, helpless and worn out.
Many say they are too wornout to workout.
As I have said myself many times before, that is rarely the case. Mentally and emotionally drained, doesn't mean physically drained, though it can often feel that way. It is not that they are completely disconnected, but often our brain gives us false positive signals saying we don't have energy, even though our body is packed with energy. If it wasn't, we would be losing weight, not putting it on.
As I see it, you don't have to be in fitness model condition or even close to great shape in order to benefit from working out consistently. It isn't about improving your looks, or looking better naked, or even living longer. We are conditioned to "live in the moment" and do what we like, yet the majority of the people I talk to are feeling pretty shitty in the moment, because they are in such poor condition. Their necks and backs hurt from slouching over screens all day, their eyes are sore for the same reason. They struggle to put on their shoes, and wake up with aches and pains. They worry about their finances and the state of the world, as well as the environment and what the neighbours think of them.
Binge another show?
If we aren't solving our problems through our actions, we are creating our problems through our actions. And what most of us seem to be doing is looking to avoid the problems we have, as we bury our noses deeper and deeper into a scree.
- U.S. Data: Americans average 7 hours and 4 minutes of daily screen time.
- Generational Differences: Gen Z spends roughly 9 hours, Millennials 4.5 hours, Gen X 4 hours, and Baby Boomers 3.5 hours on screens.
Considering a lot of Gen-Z are not working, it goes to show how much time they are spending on their screens being entertained, being conditioned, choosing to avoid rather than engage with life. Then of course, complaining that they don't have opportunities. For the record, by age 35-44, Millennials are on track to be the fattest generation in history. But, Gen-Zers are fatter when young than Millennials were at the same age.
Perhaps, 6-hours on average, with an hour of exercise?
There is a lot of shit going on in the world and apparently in many people's lives too, and it is wearing us down and out. However, I have sneaking suspicion that for many people, if they just cut out chunk of the avoidance activities and got moving, a lot of life's issues would start to get sorted out. People would feel better about themselves, have more energy, think more clearly, and get new perspectives on what they face, and start dealing with it, instead of turning away from it.
This week is the first week of Smallsteps' "exercise routine" where she and I sat down and built a program she can do in her room in about five minutes. She will do it 5 times a week, and will mark it on a schedule. If consistent after three months, we will do something as a family together, or something special for her and a friend or something.
But today, she came home and said she will do her homework and then "I have to do the exercise" - she them corrected herself and changed it to "I get to do the exercises". The distinction is important and I have never had the conversation about this with her before, so I am not sure why she changed it, but it led into a conversation about how many people in the world don't get to do certain things, because of conditions beyond their control. But also, a lot of people don't do things they know they should, because they Get in their own way.
Being healthy isn't necessary. Nor is eating well. Nor is having energy to walk a flight of stairs or the the strength to lift up a baby. No one is forcing you to be better at all. It is up to you. You get to decide whether you are going to workout consistently, or be wornout consistently. Whether you are going to look in the mirror and like yourself, or not. Whether you are able to tie your own shoes without struggle, wear the clothes you want to wear, go to the places you want to go, or be the kind of person you want to be.
You get to choose.
Are you going to drown, or learn to swim?
Taraz
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