This is a thought I had before entering the gym to train for the day. It is a practice I do each day before I train to be able to look back and see how my mentality morphs and changes through the monotony of never ending training…
“I can feel the uncontrollability of my thoughts bleed into my day. I clearly waste time in bubbles of momentary nothingness. Mindless scrolling or mindless thoughts. I get angry at myself sometimes which causes a split in persona. Like I’m a parent trying to wake his child up to go to school. Instead it’s me trying to wake myself up to be present in whatever it is I’m doing.”
Each day before I commence my regimen of push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and jump rope, I stand at a mental crossroads. Today, as on many days, I confront the uncontrollability of my thoughts. These thoughts, unbidden and erratic, seep into the crevices of my day, turning moments into pockets of idle nothingness. This isn’t just about physical training; it’s a battleground of the mind where each session is less about physical exertion and more about mental fortitude.
The simplicity of the exercises—devoid of complex equipment or elaborate routines—belies the intricate mental discipline they demand. Each push-up becomes a push against the inertia of mindless scrolling through digital content; each pull-up, a pull away from the gravity of aimless thoughts. In these moments of physical challenge, I find my mental clarity tested and forged.
I often find myself in a dual role, like a parent coaxing a reluctant child. In this analogy, I am both the stern guardian and the rebellious child, the disciplined trainer and the unwilling trainee. This split in persona reveals a deeper struggle within—a fight not just for physical strength but for mental presence and engagement in each moment.
Anger at wasted time and potential surfaces frequently, fueling a sense of urgency and frustration. Yet, it is precisely this internal conflict that sparks a deeper introspection. Why do I drift? What part of me resists the focus and dedication that I know to be essential? These are not merely rhetorical questions but guideposts that direct me back to my core motivations and values.
Training daily is my method, not just for physical fitness but for cultivating a disciplined mind. Each session is a step towards greater self-mastery. With every squat and jump, I am not just training my body but also teaching my mind to stay present, to resist the entropic pull of distraction. It’s a daily ritual where the act of returning to the basics—a simple set of exercises—is a meditation on persistence, focus, and the incremental growth that comes from consistent effort.
As I look back on these daily reflections, I see not just a record of physical endurance but a chronicle of mental evolution. Over time, the moments of nothingness grow less potent, the bouts of mindlessness less frequent. What emerges is a clearer, more present self—tempered in the simplicity of routine, and strengthened far beyond the physical realms.
