Illustration: Fabián Muñoz
The concept of inertia, originating in mechanical physics to describe the property of bodies whose state of repose or movement does not change except by the action of a force (usually a very strong force), has proved to have a universal value beyond the field of its origins. “We have to break the inertia,” a boss who wants “things to change” says to his subordinates. However, motivation, effort and reasons have not been enough for him to get his collaborators to leave off the “same old thing.” “Inertia is killing our relationship little by little” — killing me softly a la Aretha Franklin — a woman says to her partner, feeling trapped in routine and habits that gradually formed based on love, but that are now deforming that love, and not exactly for the better.
In effect, inertia is represented in the universe of human relations, where people clearly perceive that a special force (as I said, a very strong force) is needed to be able to overcome routines, habits and decisions that have turned into basic principles of behavior. This is a form of subjective inertia that is accompanied by the very familiar resistance to change, legitimization of the repetitious, as well as a preponderance of safe over possible and even, at times, learned despair. This is about staying in the same place, in the same way, for good or bad, until a very strong force pulls us out of our comfortable behavioral paralysis.
This is always a controversial situation, because as one wise psychology professor used to say, “Habits liberate and enslave.” We cannot live without them. We need certain routines and habits to make our day-to-day lives more efficient. We also need to be coherent and defend our decisions. They are an essential part of our lives, our personal integration. This is not very questionable. However, it is also true that when our routines, habits and decisions become obstacles to change for promoting better well-being and happiness, they need to be changed.
When does that need for change become evident, that need for leaving behind what was once not only beneficial but even necessary? When do we have to break the inertia? Like with all questions about human behavior, the answers can be varied. Here a few.
Sometimes it is enough to observe the dysfunctionality. The thing we always did, and that always brought us good results, is no longer taking us down the road to success. We continue, because experience tells us that “on other occasions, that is how I’ve done it, and it’s turned out well.” But this time, the anticipated result does not appear. Fixation and stubbornness appear as manifestations of subjective inertia, which we have to overcome. The only thing that we achieve by obeying that inertia is to become upset; some people resort to aggressiveness or sadness. More than a few decide to continue without any success whatsoever, insisting ad nauseam “I will persist, even though the world says I’m completely wrong,” as our Elena Burke used to sing. However, it is not just a question of being right or wrong. Above all, it is about the well-being and happiness that we deny ourselves with this way of going about things.
Sometimes, recognizing the moment when we need to leave something behind and start anew differently is announced to us by another person. Somebody who, from the outside — to put it clearly — has the possibility of seeing what we, absorbed by other things, are not able to perceive. It is very understandable. Magicians know it: “The more you look, the less you see.” We psychologists can back that up scientifically: the intensity of personal involvement in a matter, beyond its optimal value, assumes a relationship that is directly proportional to having a limited perception of that matter. That is, the more our emotional/personal closeness to the problem, the more we run the risk of understanding it very partially. That is why we have to listen to others. We must open ourselves up to new information, viewpoints other than our own; we must assimilate the experiences of others. The wisdom and insights of other people may be that first impulse that we need to overcome inertia and begin to do something differently.
To remain tied to representations that have been overcome and adhere to forms of thinking and acting that have been shown to be obsolete is also a sign that it is necessary to break the inertia. The retrograde force of subjective inertia is observed very clearly when beginning something new is somehow a restart. Restarting something that was not completely achieved. Rebeginning something what was interrupted for reasons beyond our control or not shared. Going back to something that we thought was definitely over. But, as we know, “Never say never again” – a la James Bond. Here, inertia has its celebrated expressions: “I will never go there again.” Well, in a certain sense, that is correct, because the place to which we swore we would never return no longer exists. Now it is different, it has changed, only we cannot or do not want to see that. Subjective inertia does not allow us to do so.
There are those who remain trapped in low-caliber formulas: “Sequels are never any good.” And I assure you that they do not know what they might be missing. As another variant, I have heard from those who are victims of resentment: “What they did to me cannot be forgiven.” They place themselves above earthly and even divine laws. And all of that just to carry a burden that hinders them from walking the light, upward and enriching path. All of this is subjective inertia, a force that causes us to be bogged down in the same place, that is, left behind, and tied to the past.
So, think about it, and take the path of things that benefit well-being. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by of having new experiences, opening up to the world to see and feel that you can grow infinitely. Concentrate on all that is good, and you will see that what is not good will gradually extinguish from its own weight. Say “Good-bye!” to subjective inertia. Leave behind comfort that immobilizes, routines that desensitize. Get over grudges, too. It’s not that you might not have reasons to feel it. It’s that it’s not worth it to make them accomplices to your life. Release that burden that ties you to the worst of the past and build the best of the future. Dare to begin. Even dare to begin again, leaving behind negative experiences. You only have to take the first step. A genuine first step, without any burdens, reserves or resentment. A first step for beginning a new road, a new way of walking. A word to the wise is sufficient. I assure you that you will not regret it.
