Gym remedy?

Yesterday I decided to buy a gym membership. I didn't buy the membership yesterday, I just decided that sometime in the near future I was going to buy one. I initially planned on fitting it into today's schedule. I was going to pick up my cousin from the high school at 10 (it's exam week), then I had plans to eat lunch at the coffeeshop where my friend works. From there, I would go to the North Haven Health and Racquet and purchase the cheapest and shortest-term membership that they offered. But that plan of action hasn't quite panned out. After lunch, instead of going to the H&R, I drove directly home (passing the gym along the way). I sat down, turned on my computer, and began to write about the fact that I had decided to get a gym membership.

There are a lot of things (other than getting a really good job) that I'd like to do. New Years resolution-type things. I'd like to establish an exercise routine. I'd like to finish unpacking my stuff from college. I'd like to stop biting my fingernails. I'd like to read more, and eat less. I'd like to subscribe to Netflix, and get a DVR. For the most part, I've been putting these things off because I've refused to view my current situation as permanent. Back in September, I was convinced that I would be living on my own (and working) by Thanksgiving. Why bother unpacking, or changing my routine, when I was just a few weeks away from a totally new life? Exercise, clean laundry, neat bookshelves and Netflix were all components of a satisfying adult life. Inactivity and a messy room were holdovers from adolescence. But I was never going to home for more than a couple of months so if I slipped into a few old habits it wouldn't be so bad. But so far that adult life has eluded me. And my bad habits are becoming a problem.

Stagnation is the name of my enemy. I should never have given my self a month to do nothing in August. I felt so fulfilled during the time I spent in Europe, and I understand now that it was because I was taking responsibility for myself. I kept a budget and managed money, I made itineraries and sought to occupy my time with meaningful activities. I was the model of self-reliance. Afterwards, I felt justified in slipping back into laziness and complaceny "for a while", and it's been a big mistake.

It's a little after 1 right now. There's still plenty of time to get to the gym. Could be a step in the right direction. To be continued...