Overcoming Inertia

Lexile: 1210 | Grade: 10

Passage

In physics, *inertia* is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. A ball at rest stays at rest. A rocket in flight keeps moving unless something interferes. This simple idea, first described by Isaac Newton, explains why starting—or stopping—is often the hardest part.

But inertia doesn’t just apply to objects. It also shows up in our thoughts, habits, and decisions. It’s why getting out of bed can feel like a mountain. It’s why beginning a project often takes more energy than finishing it. Our minds, like physical matter, prefer to remain in the state they’re already in.

Yet once motion begins, something shifts. A small action creates momentum. A brief moment of focus can turn into flow. One brave decision—writing the first sentence, taking the first step, speaking the first word—can be the difference between staying still and moving forward.

This is not a weakness. Inertia exists in all things. But science teaches us that even great forces yield to motion. Rockets defy gravity, not through giant leaps, but by consistent thrust. Likewise, progress rarely comes from one bold burst—it comes from steady, repeated effort after the first push.

The key is to begin, even imperfectly. Inertia doesn’t care how elegant your start is. It simply responds to motion. And once you’re in motion, the effort you once feared becomes fuel. What once felt heavy begins to lift. What once felt impossible becomes movement.

So if you feel stuck, remember: the science of motion says you're not broken—you're just still. And stillness, while powerful, is always waiting for a reason to shift.