Inertia and you

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You're zoned out in front of the TV, flipping from channel to channel. Your spouse asks you what you're watching; you respond, "nothing, there's nothing on." But does the fact that you're "watching nothing" stop you from watching? Hardly. Once inertia has set in, it seems like an awful lot of work just to get up and do something else. How did people ever survive in the days before remote control?

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Sometimes inertia is not sitting still but continuing to do the same old thing even when the same old thing is making you miserable. Perhaps you stay in a job that you hate, yet, you cannot seem to move yourself to do what's necessary to get a new job. Just thinking about updating your resume seems Herculean. Despite wanting to change, you find the days, the weeks, the years and even the decades passing and you're still humming the same old tune.

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Other times inertia relates to not doing something until someone else persuades you to do it. I remember an Oprah show that offered a "one step makeover." Her crew located people who were wearing oversize eyeglasses from the 80s, outdated hairstyles from the 70s, flower-child clothing from the 60s. When asked why they didn't change these items, they all replied with a type of inertia: "I don't know," "I've always done it this way," "I never got around to it." The second part of the principle of inertia - that a body in motion tends to stay in motion until there is action by an outside force - can actually be quite supportive to you. It helps you finish a task once you start it. Here are a few examples.

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Once I got myself settled at the computer and started writing this article, I was sure I would finish it. Not kind of, sort of sure. Real sure. Deadlines (either from the outside or your own personal deadlines) are wonderful tools to help you overcome your inertia. Once you begin to clean up an area (provided it's not too big), you will most likely complete it - and won't that feel good!

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Though a body in motion tends to stay in motion, there are times that you should be grateful that there is an outside force telling you, "enough already." Let's say once you are on the computer, you have a tendency to stay on it too long. Or it could be the phone, or Game-Boy. Or the activity could be shopping, working, drinking or eating. In those situations, aren't you lucky that someone cares enough to say "enough"? Or your own body signals you that it is "enough" by getting tired, hungry or achy. You don't need a degree in physics to help you overcome your own inertia. The next time you find yourself inactive, motionless, and sluggish, remind yourself that you don't need to stay inert for long periods of time. Inertia is not the same as resting. Resting feels good. Inertia feels lifeless. Inertia cries out for you to get active. Once you do get moving, keep up the activity until it seems like a good time to take a pause. But don't forget to return to the activity until you feel a sense of completion. Then give yourself a pat on the back as you acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.Linda Sapadin, Ph.D. is a psychologist who works with individuals, families and couples. © Copyright 2003.