I used to cram for the dentist. A week before my appointment, I’d suddenly start flossing religiously, convinced that if I worked hard enough in those final days, I could erase months of neglect. But, of course, it never worked. The damage had already been done—or rather, the good habits had never been built.
It’s a funny thing we do, this cramming. We see it not just in dental hygiene but in every aspect of life. We try to cram for fitness, starving ourselves or over-exercising right before a vacation. We try to cram for our careers, hoping a burst of effort will make up for years of stagnation. And perhaps most dangerously, we try to cram for our mental and social health.
But when hardship hits—when stress builds, when relationships are strained, when loss or failure appear—there’s no cramming our way through. If we haven’t put in the work, we suffer that much more. A person who hasn’t invested in their mental health will struggle to stay grounded when life shakes them. A person who hasn’t nurtured their friendships will find themselves alone when they need support most.
True health, in every sense, is built in the quiet, consistent moments. It’s the daily flossing, the regular exercise, the small but meaningful conversations, the moments of stillness and reflection. It’s the little things, done over time, that make us resilient, strong, and ready for whatever comes next.
So don’t cram for the dentist. And don’t cram for life. Show up every day, in small ways, for yourself and for the people around you. Because when the hard times come—and they will—you’ll be glad you did.
— Joe