Rewiring the Mind: How to Embrace Challenging Choices for Personal Growth
Over the weekend while going for a run, I found myself pondering an interesting question: would I rather spend 2 hours watching a movie or run 10 miles for roughly the same amount of time? Without hesitation, I responded, "I’d rather run!" That was a surprise! Running 10 miles is no easy feat—it takes endurance, focus, and energy. A year ago, I wouldn't have chosen that option.
Last year, I would have opted for the movie without a second thought. I would have immediately focused on how grueling and time-consuming a 10-mile run would be. I would have fixated on the effort involved, on the fatigue, on the challenge of pushing myself through mile after mile. I would have convinced myself that it was just too hard, too long, and not worth the struggle. Running before was about enduring pain, not about enjoying the experience.
But now, something has shifted. Recently, someone suggested I try an experiment—stop obsessing over numbers, pace, and personal records. Let go of tracking the minutes, the miles, the stats. They encouraged me to simply run for the pleaasure of it, without thinking about the effort involved or the goal of finishing. This simple suggestion altered my entire approach. Instead of constantly calculating, I've learned to focus on quieting my mind and simply being in the moment.
Now, when I run, I don't worry about how fast or how far I've gone. I focus on the rhythm of my breathing, the feeling of my feet hitting the ground, the breeze on my face, the beauty of the outdoors. It’s not about hitting a new personal best anymore; it’s about connecting with the experience itself. It has become a form of meditation—a chance to escape the noise and just be present.
Interestingly, nothing about the two choices has changed on the surface. Seeing a movie is still a relaxing, enjoyable way to spend two hours. In fact, it’s a pretty tempting option for a lot of people, myself included. Running is still a nontrivial effort. But somehow, the experience of running, the simple pleasure of being outdoors, and the quiet satisfaction it brings have come to mean more to me than just sitting back and watching a screen.
It’s not really about movies versus running. These are just examples. For you, the choice could be completely different—maybe it’s between scrolling through social media or spending time in nature, or between taking a nap or doing something creative. The point is, sometimes the obvious choice—the easy, comfortable one—isn’t always the obvious choice. And only you can know what’s right for you in any given moment.
I’ve learned that by letting go of expectations and being fully present in what I do, the experience itself becomes more rewarding. In running, and maybe in life, sometimes it’s about stepping away from what’s easy and leaping into what would transform you to the next version of you!
What similar situation have you experienced before? What’s the most important learning for you? Write your comments below.
This blog post was written by Jomel Reyes Losorata with the help of AI.