Running Changed My Life for the Better
AI-generated image of a young man in his early 20s running outdoors on a sunny day, wearing athletic clothes and smiling, with trees and greenery in the background.
I’ve always been physically active, ever since I was 6 years old. Over the years, I’ve tried a variety of sports—track and field, wrestling, boxing, biking—and had a period where I took gym and strength training seriously. But little did I know, there would come a time when I’d experience almost no physical activity at all, aside from the occasional walk.
Back in November 2023, I decided to start Accutane for my acne, which I had been struggling with since I was 14. By then, I was 19, and the acne had begun to deeply affect me. In the beginning, I could live with it, but over time it started to take a toll on my mental health. No matter what treatments I tried, nothing seemed to work. This left me feeling frustrated and a bit depressed, as it affected my everyday life. That’s when I turned to Accutane, a powerful medication known for treating severe acne.
Six months later, I was acne-free. Words can’t really describe the relief I felt. I was overjoyed and finally able to enjoy life again.
However, during my time on Accutane, I experienced some pretty rough side effects—exhaustion, muscle pain, depression, and a reduced appetite. I tried sticking to my gym routine, but I just couldn’t keep up. Even small tasks felt overwhelming, so I shifted my focus to school, making that my only priority. I was proud of myself for staying on track academically, but everything else in my life took a back seat.
After completing the treatment, I realized I hadn’t been physically active for over six months, and my body didn’t feel great because of it. Growing up, sports and exercise had always been a major part of my life, and they sparked joy for me. I knew I needed to get back into it.
Despite eating well, staying hydrated, and getting good sleep, I still didn’t feel as amazing as I thought I should, now that I was acne-free. I kept making excuses and putting off any attempt to get back into physical activity.
Then, one evening after returning from my part-time job, something changed. I had this sudden urge to run. There was a voice in my head telling me to just get out there—whether it was 1 km or 10, it didn’t matter. I just needed to start.
So, five minutes later, I was out running. That moment felt like a breakthrough. I had been making excuses for so long, and now I was finally breaking through the wall that had held me back.
I promised myself that no matter how far I ran, I’d be proud of the fact that I got out there. My goal was to run at least 1 km, which didn’t seem like much, but after months of inactivity, it was better than nothing. To my surprise, I ended up running 2.5 km and felt pretty good afterward. Sure, I was out of breath, and my legs were sore, but I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment. It was like a huge weight had lifted off my shoulders.
That night, I knew this was something I needed to continue. The impact that single run had on me was incredible, and I didn’t want to lose that feeling.
I also realized that to make running a sustainable habit, I needed to start slow and build up gradually. From experience, I knew I couldn’t expect to run far or fast right away. I began with 2 km runs every other day, allowing my body time to rest and recover. As my stamina improved, I gradually increased the distance to 3 km, always paying attention to how my body felt to avoid overexertion. Slowly but steadily, I was able to ramp up both my pace and distance as I naturally grew stronger and more comfortable with running.
Now, I run three times a week, and it has transformed my life. I sleep better, my mood has improved, I have more energy, and to my surprise, I actually look forward to my runs. The key has been to lower the barrier to getting started. On days when I don’t feel like running, I tell myself that just 2 km is enough. It’s a small, manageable goal that always gets me out the door. And once I start running, I usually end up going further than I planned.
As a bonus, running has sparked a new interest for me. I’ve started following other runners and watching content about running. It’s a refreshing change from my usual focus on technology, which has always been my primary passion. Having this new hobby has made my life more balanced and enriched my other interests as well.
No matter how bad a day may be, if I get my run in, I feel a sense of achievement. It’s like a magic switch that turns everything around.
Conclusion
Running has truly changed my life for the better. It’s just the beginning, and I might eventually get back into other physical activities to mix things up. I’ve never taken running seriously before and honestly used to hate it, but after a month of consistent running, I’ve grown to enjoy it.
Yesterday, I ran over 5 km at a pretty fast pace, and it felt great the entire time. That’s a clear sign that my consistency is paying off—I’m getting stronger and faster. Even though improving speed and distance isn’t my main goal, it makes the process more enjoyable and adds a fun challenge.
If you’re feeling down, tired, or empty, I encourage you to start moving, no matter how small the effort might seem. You don’t need to run a marathon; even regular walks can make a big difference. Just make sure the barrier to starting is low, and once you begin, you’ll naturally build momentum.
It’s a win for your life, your physical health, and most importantly, your mental well-being.
Thanks for reading!