it's not "just semantics"

How we word and label our lives matters because words aren't merely synonyms for other words. They have distinct meanings, interpretations, and cultural baggage that separate them from similar words, for better or worse.

The example that prompted this essay is physical exercise. Terms like "working out" or "workout" come to mind, which I often find myself defaulting to. Working out feels like a mandatory activity, something devoid of fun, even though I enjoy exercise. Wiser terminology exists, and it has reshaped how I think about exercise.

"Training" is a better term, but still not perfect, because training implies preparing for an event or an achievement. Exercise is a lifelong pursuit that doesn't end once you reach an arbitrary milestone or metric of improvement. Goal-oriented thinking is bound to make exercise come and go in phases, instead of maintaining consistency.

The best word I've found is "practice." Unlike training, a practice is continuously happening. There are no awards in practice, only practice itself, for itself. The purpose of practice is practicing, not striving for more.

Luckily, a word like "practice" is quite broad, and we can apply it to other lively pursuits. It's not "writing music" or "music production"; it's the practice of music or, more broadly, the practice of creating.

Language is the basis of thought, evidenced by our internal thinking in words and sentences. Therefore, it's critical to understand the intent behind how you phrase reality. Without a fundamental understanding of how you use language, it may be harder to change behavior or think critically.