For the past two weeks – or maybe more like three – I’ve been feeling tired and dull and joyless. I don’t feel like doing any of the tasks I normally enjoy. Not reading, not working, not going out, not exercising. I don’t know if it’s due to the shortening, darkening days, or the lack of anything actually happening in my life, or something else.

I can push myself to do the low-effort tasks: work, buy groceries, cook dinner. But workouts are more of a struggle. The smallest excuse is enough to not do it. “I’m in the middle of this coding task… and oh look, now it’s too late.” Last week I only worked out once.

It didn’t take long before I started feeling the results. Less than a week, in fact. My back gets stiff and achy. My hip joints pop and crack. Sitting in the sofa became uncomfortable; I sit on the floor in front of the sofa and lean on it instead.

This week I’ve pushed myself to work out every day, even though it still feels 100% a chore. I’ve set 20 minutes of strength training as the absolute minimum. After every single exercise I think: “Are we done yet? Can I go back to doing nothing now?” but the clock says no.

But the effect was immediate. I can lie down in bed comfortably again without tossing and turning to find a good position for my back. Well worth 20 minutes of daily effort.