As part of my non-medicated therapy, I’ve been required to start exercising. Apparently there’s some link between depression and exercise (and sleep, which is essential and I definitely don’t get enough of that either) and my therapist ordered me to start exercising. Fortunately, we have a membership to the YMCA that I can use to fulfill this order.
When I first started exercising, I was using the cardio equipment exclusively. It was easy and a great way to get back into the routine of sweating on purpose. There were no combinations to remember, no other people around (well, except the other people on the equipment), no instructor. Just me, the elliptical machine, my iPod and my sweat. It was blissful. Until I got bored.
There are only so many days in a row you can use the elliptical machine without wanting to tear your hair out. It was making me remember why I gave up exercising in the first place (oh, right. And I’m kind of lazy, too). Then it dawned on me that the Y also has group exercise classes, which, up until 3 weeks ago, I’d actively avoided for a number of reasons. The main reason? I was completely and utterly embarrassed.
I was embarrassed because I have absolutely no coordination. At all. I routinely walk into walls and fall down stairs and drop things for no good reason. I spill food on my clothes every day and if a day goes by that I don’t trip over my own giant feet, it’s a good day. I can’t dance, am not flexible and sometimes, right and left confuse me. I am absolutely the last person you want to stand next to in an exercise class (or near on a flight of stairs or in a hallway, but I digress). Then I had another revelation.
I didn’t care.
Although I experienced a tremendous amount of trepidation the day I stepped foot in my first class, I reminded myself that I was not going to attend those classes to impress anyone. I was going to those classes because I wanted to exercise in a manner that was fun and didn’t make me feel like I was on a hamster wheel. Attending those classes was intended to make me feel good about myself, and if other people were better than me, so what? Most of them have been doing it a lot longer and, at one point, they were just like me. A complete noob. A bumbling, uncoordinated buffoon just trying to make it to the end of class without passing out. But as time went on and they went to more and more classes, they became better.
And I’m 98% sure that they don’t care what I look like doing the routines. Because they’re focused on themselves, making sure they get the most out of the class and they don’t have the time or energy to worry about me.
I think we need to apply this attitude to our finances. No matter where we are in our financial journey, there will always be someone who’s ahead of us. There’s always going to be someone we’re looking at and thinking “Wow, if I only had her income (or his savings account or their house or whatever), I’d be set”. But most times, what we fail to look at is the hard work it took to get there. Almost no one becomes financially successful without starting at zero and putting in the hard work. They all had to start somewhere, and for most of them, the decision to be in control of their finance is that somewhere. There’s no reason you can’t make that decision, too.
To those who are paying off debt, please know this. Anyone who begins a debt repayment journey walks into the metaphorical room feeling like a lumbering oaf. We all think that everyone is staring at us, judging us, making fun of us. I can assure you that they’re not. They’re most likely looking at you with admiration for trying to gain control of your situation. And for a lot of them, they’re remembering how it felt to be in your sneakers. But don’t let your fear of what others may think prevent you from doing it.
Because even if you fall flat on your face, you’ve tried. And then you get back up and keep trying. And rest assured, no matter how awkward you think you look, you look better than I do when I’m at Zumba.
Trust me on that one.
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[…] does a sweaty workout compare to our finance journeys? Jana at Daily Money Shot shows us how “Exercising Your Finances (or Something Like That)” can help you gain control of finance emotions and […]
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[…] Money Shot had a great analogy between exercise and finances that helps keep things in […]
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[…] This post at Daily Money Shot could really go under “money” or “living,” it’s about how not to compare yourself to others. You’re still thinking about comparing yourself to others, aren’t you? I could sense that disturbance in the force. Maybe a post from Man Vs Debt will make you see The Danger in Comparing Yourself to Others. […]
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[…] prejudices fair? Posted on August 31, 2012 by Jana I’ve talked before about how, when I first started taking Zumba classes, I had to get over my embarrassment and trepidation of sta…. I also mentioned that, when you’re paying off debt, it’s imperative to have that same […]
Thanks for admitting that you walk into walls. I guess I am more normal than I thought 🙂
Sean @ One Smart Dollar recently posted…How is My Credit Limit Determined?
I fall up and down the stairs more than I walk into walls but sadly, it does happen. You are definitely normal. Or, maybe the people who don’t walk into wall are the abnormal ones? I think I like that better 🙂
Great that you came to that conclusion about not caring. In this case, you’re doing it for yourself and nobody else, so as long as you’re getting what you need from it, that’s all that matters.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Money Beagle recently posted…Spending A Little More On Coffee
If there is one thing I know for a fact it is this: for every person out there, there is always someone who is going to be smarter, taller, faster, stronger, more wealthy, better looking, more charismatic, better organized, etc. I use that to keep myself from getting a big head when I think I do something awesomely, and for reassurance when I may not be at my best.
We all have to start somewhere, and making the decision to start (whatever it may be) is probably the most difficult yet important thing to do.
Eric J. Nisall – DollarVersity recently posted…Does Cash Really Keep You From Overspending?
Great points, Eric. It’s hard for me to realize that no matter where I am, there’s someone who looks at me and sees where they want to be (I also do this. For instance, with my writing. There are a number of people who have gotten to where I want to be, and I have to remind myself that they were once in my shoes). But no one will ever progress without taking that first step.
I love those shoes. I have two pair. They are awesome.
Those shoes freak me out. They remind me of alien feet.
“No matter where we are in our financial journey, there will always be someone who’s ahead of us”
That is so true! I’ve fallen into that trap of thinking I wish I could be in so in so’s position, but that’s not going to change mine no matter how much wishing I’m doing.
Budget & the Beach recently posted…Paying off my Debt
Exactly! Wishing we’re like someone else isn’t going to make it happen. We have to change ourselves and our behaviors in order to accomplish our goals.
Great post! The first step into that room is the hardest, and it gets a little easier every time.
Jordann recently posted…Financial Milestones in Your 20′s
Well I can’t relate to the exercise class thing, but your point is dead on. Comparing yourself to others is a waste of time! Great job realizing that and great job getting back to taking care of yourself!
TB at BlueCollarWorkman recently posted…Work Stoppage for a Protest
What a great post! Your metaphor is spot on and from one clumsy person to another, I totally understand how you feel! I was so clumsy at my restaurant job in college that they still blame me for spills that happen – and I don’t even live in the same state anymore! The last paragraph really rang true for me. Even in my own personal finance journey, I found myself embarrassed to admit to anyone where I stood and assumed they would just judge me. But the minute I started to take control of my finances, I realized that it didn’t matter what other people thought because it was about me taking control of my own life and not about anyone else – and after that I even had friends who were inspired to do the same for themselves!
Shannon-ReadyForZero recently posted…Debt Consolidation Fees and Costs
That’s right! When we take our first steps, we never know who we’re inspiring to do the same. So we’re inadvertently causing a chain reaction while at the same time improving ourselves. It’s a win-win.
So proud of you Jana!! Good for you getting out there and working out! 🙂 Keep up the good work!
Mackenzie recently posted…Veggie Burgers
This is so true. Congrats on going to a group exercise class! I’m a frequent group exercise goer, and I think it adds so much variety to a workout. There are days when I just want to be on the treadmill/elliptical in peace, but I find that I push myself harder in those classes. You make friends, gain support, and the instructor helps you! Just like personal finance – people are here to support but sometimes on the outside it looks intimidating to start. Love the metaphor in this post!
From Shopping to Saving recently posted…How To Tell If You Are a Shopaholic
I agree! The social aspect of the class (while a huge source of my anxiety) has definitely been encouraging. On the days that I don’t want to go, I tell myself that I get to see my new “friends” if I do go. So that’s a motivator for me. And like you, being in the class pushes me to work harder because I don’t want to bring the class down.
Love this! I’ve never been in a group class either, mainly because I’m terrified of how I’d look. It’s stupid.
Michelle recently posted…Financial Milestones in Your 20s
Since I cannot do strenuous exercise thanks to a neck problem, I walk. Basic exercise, but I can do it anywhere and anytime. I cannot believe I am saying this, because I enjoy bicycling, weightlifting and other more active stuff, but I am starting to enjoy walking.
krantcents recently posted…A Magic Pill
My grandfather is going to be 97 next month and he still takes daily walks. He’s been doing this my whole life (I’m almost 35). So there’s something to be said for walking!
I love working out. I don’t look at anyone at the gym. I hate people who go to the gym to socialize. Go to the gym to work out. Don’t worry about anyone else, and you will always have a good work out.
JAMES recently posted…Looking for Investment Income? Check This Out
Hey – are you me? I walk into walls, fall down stairs, have broken several toes… oops. 😉
Glad you enjoyed your fitness class. I was that way when I first took up yoga, but now I love it. I still can’t do all the moves, but it doesn’t matter.
There is such a correlation between money and fitness. Both take perseverance and determination!
Kris @ BalancingMoneyandLife recently posted…30 Day Challenges, Gazelle Intensity, and Finding Balance
Walking into walls is just another reason to know we are destined to be friends! I am hopelessly clumsy and my daughter has inherited my grace! I love that you are trying new things. I just took recently started to take a spin class and I tried to talk myself out of it all the way up until I walked through the door. Yoga is next on my list but it requires me getting up early…
I love your analogy, mostly because I can relate to both. “No matter where we are in our financial journey, there will always be someone who’s ahead of us” Coming off of an injury, I have to be content celebrating my 1.5 mile run while my friends are training for a freaking Ironman! I know eventually I will run a marathon again, I just need to start all over again and put in the work. I find when I have discipline in my training, it carries over into other areas of my life including finances.
Jenniemarie @ anotherhousewife recently posted…Working It Out Wednesday: Scaredy Cat
I celebrate your 1.5 mile run because I know that’s something I could never do! I like your point that when you’re disciplined in one area, it carries over to other areas. That’s a great way to think about it. I find that when I’m organized in my schedule, I get organized and focused everywhere else.
Something to think about…
I’ve always been really clumsy, too, and I feared joining a dance class because I knew I’d be terrible. But I joined and had fun, even though there were some superb dancers in the class. I just had to remember not to compare myself to others — you know, the ones who don’t fall over when tying their shoes 😉
Christa recently posted…Kid-Friendly Recipe: HDMPC
You’ve drawn a great parallel here and it’s definitely true – the only important thing is to try, no matter the outcome. I have a new passion for Zumba but when I first tried it, I didn’t like it because I was just so uncoordinated. But as I kept going, I kept getting better at the moves and now, even though I still look really stupid, I can get most of them down – even new ones. Same goes for finances, you just have to start somewhere, no matter where it is.
Young Professional Finances recently posted…The 30 Day Subway Challenge
I completely agree with you! I’m terrible at Zumba but I figure the more I do it, the better I’ll get. Just like I did with budgeting.
Love this. It’s so true. Every single bit of it.
Lindy Mint recently posted…Everything I Learned About Buying a Car, Part 2: Buying Used
Great analogy…this is one of those posts I need to refer whenever I feel like I am in a funk regarding paying off debt!
American Debt Project recently posted…May 2012 Debt Update and 2012 Goals Check-In
I love the analogy! It’s so true.
…and I hate exercising in front of other people….
But you do what you have to do to get fit and happy.
femmefrugality recently posted…Guest Post on Mom of the Year
Exercise is very good for you but it is very hard to get started. I personally couldn’t do the gym thing so I spent our wedding money on buying gym equipment for my husband and myself in our apartment.
Susan Bewley recently posted…Shopping List for Healthy Eating