Out of shape

I sometimes hear people say, “I’m so out of shape”. I’ve said the same thing. I don’t think that’s a useful phrase. It ignores the truth that we are in shape. We’re in shape for exactly the conditions that we place ourselves in. 

If every day you jog to the park and back, you’ll be in really good shape for jogging. If you sit all day in a chair, your butt will be in really good shape for being sat on. 

Humans are adaptable and resilient. We form ourselves around the container that we find ourselves surrounded by. This is why the conditions of the soil that the seed is surrounded by are important. 

When we say I’m out of shape, we’re ignoring the causes and effects. It’s just a phrase, you say. Maybe. Maybe the phrases we use to talk to ourselves and each other are part of the conditions that we find ourselves in.