My Dopamine Fast – The Aftermath

Despite cheating on the food component of my stimulation fast, the day felt successful. But did those effects carry over into the coming days? Was it worth it? Would I do it again? My short answer is "yes." For one, I found a fresh appreciation for the technology in my life. Podcasts, audiobooks, and music …

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My Dopamine Fast – The Experience

Note: All pictures are gleaned from past experiences or Google Images. I took no photos during the fast. Last week, I described my limited knowledge and motivations behind doing a "dopamine fast" (or what I refer to as a "stimulation fast"). I felt strange excitement about waking up and doing next to nothing all day. …

My Dopamine Fast – The Prelude

How can we bounce back and snap ourselves out of a rut? We feel busy, yet unproductive. Life pulls our attention in many directions like a skein of yarn unraveling from both ends. Sometimes we feel like we are spinning our wheels, sinking deeper into the mud. I felt this struggle a month ago. Not …

Self-Protective Self-Criticism

Source:  Self-Compassion - Kristin Neff Bold italicized sentences indicate book quotes. Why are so many of us so hard on ourselves?  It feels counter-intuitive. We want to succeed and become the best versions of ourselves. It makes no sense to self-sabotage with self-destructive thinking. Kristen Neff, psychologist and self-compassion specialist, suggests a straightforward explanation for …

2 Debaters, 2 Conversations

Discussion and dialogue are essential to cultivating our perspective and world knowledge.  If we do not open ourselves to diverse perspectives, we will harbor biases, safeguard weak logic, and develop false consensuses on how the world works.   Bias is inevitable. Addressing our bias is not. If we consider ourselves open-minded, we must consider opposing …

The Perils of “Optimal”

In the self-help community, the word “optimal” surfaces as a staple buzzword - especially in the introduction to the Tim Ferriss Show. YouTube videos all contain titles that suggest optimal performance tips. “The optimal way to lose weight.” “The optimal way to grow huge muscles.” “The optimal way to study.” “The optimal way to teach.” …

On Moderate Eating

Eating has been my struggle for years.  As a teen, I grew like a weed, sprouting to 6’4” (193 cm) today.  But I’m 27 now. Anyone who tells me I should "eat up" because I am a “growing boy” is full of it.  Any growing I have left to do is horizontal in nature. Fortunately, …