Meet Inertia
She's really scared of change
Good Morning Afternoon!
Welcome to the Tuesday edition of Daily Self. Last night, I attended my first group Hip Hop class EVER, enjoyed it so much that I stayed for a second class, and ended up taking my vintage bones to bed immediately thereafter. Hence, the later start today.
Tuesday’s edition includes:
Morning MicrodoseAfternoon Apéritif: Meet InertiaMyth of the Day: Discomfort is a negative experience and should be avoided at all costs.
Action Item: Pretend that it’s “opposite week”
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Let’s get into it…
(1) Morning Microdose Afternoon Apéritif
Meet Inertia
Inertia is a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged.
As I mentioned in the intro, I went to my first adult Hip Hop class last night. As a beginner, I’ve been practicing virtually in the comfort (and anonymity) of my own home; however, I came to the realization that to make friends in the dance community, I need to get out there. I can’t even begin to tell you how hard it was to walk through the studio door. That deeply concerned voice inside my head reminded me,
“WTF are you doing, old man?! You’re 42, with no dance experience, had knee surgery in December, and suck at memorizing choreography”
Meet Inertia, her voice is the one you hear whenever you attempt to change parts of your identity.
Think about the last time you tried something totally new and/or different. You might have heard Inertia saying something like this:
“Hey… this isn’t you. You won’t fit in. You don’t know how to do this. You’re just going to fail/lose/look stupid/embarrass yourself/be bad at it/upset others. Let’s just go back to being you… comfortable, safe you.”
When it comes to your identity, you subconsciously avoid things that threaten to change it. This is not your fault—it’s Inertia, and natural human behavior. Overcoming Inertia is one of the most difficult things we must do to learn and grow.
Unfortunately, Inertia doesn’t just affect your desire to try a new class, start a new business, or update your early 2000’s wardrobe.
Inertia can also cause you to avoid happiness, success, and love.
Say you’re unhappy with your life. But, you don’t see yourself as someone who deserves a happy life. So, you continue to live an unhappy one.
Other examples:
You see yourself as lazy and unmotivated. So, you continue to do nothing.
You think you’re unloveable, and believe you won’t find a loving relationship. So you never will.
To overcome Inertia and quiet the voice that challenges you when you attempt to change your identity, you must be willing to challenge your limiting beliefs. You must have the courage to say,
“F*ck it, WHAT IF I [succeeded/won/looked amazing/didn’t embarrass myself/am good at it/made others feel joy/etc.].”
You can accomplish this by pretending it’s “opposite day” (or opposite week or month). Let’s go back to our previous examples:
I’m lazy and unmotivated. But what if, I AM motivated, and I walk out my front door right now and walk one mile.
I’m unloveable and I won’t find a loving partner. But what if, I AM loveable, and I go to the hiking singles meetup today with the intention of meeting new people who share a common interest.
Remember, when it comes to your identity, you subconsciously avoid things that threaten to change it. However, a simple “WHAT IF?” question that challenges your limiting beliefs can be a way to overcome the voice inside your head that prevents you from even trying.
(2) Myth of the Day
Discomfort is a negative experience and should be avoided at all costs.
As human beings, our natural inclination is towards comfort. It's often tempting to binge-watch Netflix rather than exercise, or to rely on familiar knowledge rather than acquiring new skills. However, our brains are also designed to seek personal growth. True happiness is closely tied to our ability to grow, and to achieve this, we must learn to embrace discomfort and step out of our comfort zones.
(3) Action Item
Pretend that it’s “opposite week.” Whenever you hear Inertia in your head, challenge her by saying “But, what if I actually can… do… am…” How does it feel when you respond to Inertia with a “But, what if?”
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