Hi saaretjie
To get into the thread:
How long does it take to turn your life around?
I believe a life time. Because you understand each day things you didn't understand yesterday. And things you couldn't have understood before today, because you just weren't ready and receptive for it. Hence my name, Lifequest. I have come to the conclusion that in my case, my growth process will take a lifetime, and will be most successful if I plan out what I call "small victories". Over time, small changes will make a big one (at least, that's the theory I'm working on right now, but I'm flexible, the definition could change with time, an open mind is always a good thing).
I heard somewhere that a hard thing to do in life is to find the courage to be happy. It can be really easy to be sad and depressed if you choose to. But to choose to be happy and to act on getting there can be, for a lot of people, a very hard choice, but a choice that has to be taken with lucidity.
Your list of things to change isn't far from what most people on this site post, I think. And I agree with the physical activities, that it can affect a lot of other areas of your life. But where to start is ultimately your choice, has it has to come from you.
You talked about jogging. For example, I like jogging, and I do it on a regular basis because I actually enjoy it (for almost 2 years now
). But I don't try to convert people to jogging. Instead, I say try it out. Find a way to do it that makes you happy: with music, with friend(s), or anything else. I tried jogging of years, but it was on and off because I couldn't to stick to it. For me, it was leaving the watch at home and not timing myself that did it. I just go out and do it and admire the trees and the sky while I jog.
You say you're a student and you don't have a lot of cash. Is there a sports facility where you're studying? Usually they have special prices for students (sometimes it's even free). You could check it out, find an activity to do alone (jogging, swimming, strenght training), or a group activity if you want it to be a more social activity (dance class, basketball league, badmington, etc.). The idea is to keep trying 'till you find something you like.
But overall, you've done something what a lot of people on this planet don't even dare to do, that is taking the first step in admitting your life could be better, and starting to look for ways to make it better, so good job!