Whenever I feel the need to exercise, I lie down until it goes away. — Paul Terry

Whenever I feel the need to exercise, I lie down until it goes away.

Author: Paul Terry

Insight: We all know that feeling when motivation evaporates the moment you think about going to the gym. There's something honest—almost comforting—about admitting that we're naturally inclined toward rest. Most of us have internalized the message that we should want to exercise, so we feel guilty when we don't. This quote cuts through that by treating the impulse to avoid effort like any other passing sensation, something you can simply wait out. But here's where it gets interesting: the quote actually works as a perfect mirror for how we avoid a lot of things, not just workouts. Difficult conversations, creative projects, phone calls we've been dreading—they all come with that same initial resistance that feels very real and very urgent. The joke is funny precisely because it's so relatable, but it's also a gentle reminder that waiting out discomfort doesn't make it disappear. The feeling might leave, sure. So does the chance to do something about it. The real tension is that some of our best moments come from acting despite not feeling like it, not because we waited for inspiration to strike. That initial resistance is almost never a reliable signal about what's actually good for us.