At 22 Katie McDonald ended a nine-month relationship and moved back in with her parents, feeling like a failure and comparing her progress to her younger brother. Living at home allowed her to save money and afford a £96-per-month membership at a nearby David Lloyd gym. Initially uncomfortable exercising alone, she gradually discovered a love for running and yoga. Regular exercise shifted her mindset, increased self-kindness and happiness, and helped her form new friendships and a new romantic relationship. Past gym experiences with her ex had left her feeling inadequate and questioning her self-worth.
"It was 2019. I was only 22, but ending a nine-month relationship and moving back in with my parents felt like I'd failed in some way. I compared myself to my brother, who was two years younger and had already bought a house with his girlfriend. Even though I knew living with my parents and saving money was the right thing to do, it was a huge challenge to accept this new chapter in my life."
"It took time to get comfortable at the gym on my own, or even find what I liked. As I showed up more and more, I fell in love with working out, particularly running and yoga. Exercising - in a way that felt good to me - completely rewired my mind to be kinder to myself and far happier, leading me to my new partner and many new friends."
Read at Business Insider
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]