About a week ago I declared I was starting monk mode. I will post these updates as a way to stay accountable to my fellow RPers. Let's see how much progress I've made on my goals.

  • Focus on three main hobbies: reading, writing, programming:
    • Reading: I've scarcely touched Lord of the Rings. I might just need to set up a task scheduler event on my laptop to force open it. That method has proven effective on me in the past.
    • Writing: In the past couple days I have begun further planning. The story itself is about half written so I'm trying to both wrap my head around what already exists, while finding ways to include the new content.
    • Coding: Very successful in this regard. I spent about a week working on one project and have now begun a second. I'm not going to set any deadlines for when I want it done, but my enthusiasm means it'll be finished sooner rather than later. I would anticipate its completion in about two weeks.
  • Reading RP literature:
    • Finished No More Mr. Nice Guy. I learned far more about myself in this second read-through. I've begun applying the advice of setting better boundaries and working to get my own needs met without the approval of others. It's been pretty easy to get into the habit of daily reading for an hour. Now I'm reading Models by Mark Manson, and it's intriguing material.
    • Have not been looking at RP blogs. I checked out a few posts from The Rational Male but that's the main extent.
  • Cut out junk social media
    • My resolve was strong for most of the week, but I've slipped into the habit of checking social media again. Facebook and Reddit are my worst struggles. I get so hooked on them that once the tab's open, I stop what I was doing before.
    • I don't really read anything interesting on Facebook anymore. I'd like to one day use it to supplement my IRL social life. But that's a task for later down the road. Presently the wisest thing is to avoid it.
    • Reddit: Reddit is entertainment and utility for me, so I don't know if I can get rid of it completely. I had the idea the other day of creating a multireddit that I would use, pulling content only from sources that would be most beneficial.
  • Better eating habits
    • I've had fast food 4 times in the past two weeks. Er, that's a problem.
    • My issue here is general lack of knowledge about how to construct a healthy meal plan.
  • Physical activity
    • OK, so there's the deal here. There's a pool nearby that I could use. It would cost $80 to get a pass. I'm only here for 6 more weeks. I don't know if the cost is worth it.
    • The best course of action here may simply be to walk to the local park and back.
  • Physical discomfort
    • With the Kansas heat rising, the house is 75-85 degrees all day and all night. I'd say I have discomfort in spades right now.
    • My current sleep pattern seems to be 11:30-8:30. Of course even then I'm tired half the day. I would like to push the wake up time at 8:15, just for now.
    • Mealtimes are variable. Life keeps getting in the way.
    • Fapping? Pffft, there's nothing sexy around here to stimulate me. I do it twice a week just out of physical need.
    • A big problem is that what I do during the day is to some extent controlled by what others are doing in the house - what time they work, what household chores they need me for, etc. Unavoidable interruptions, which I can't do much about.

Action Items:

  • Research healthy one week meal plans, and eat only at prescribed times (currently that's 9 AM, 1 PM, 6 PM, and usually a light 9 PM snack). - Edit: this popular meal plan seems like a good start.
  • Start walking around during the morning lull. The 10-11 AM time slot looks good.
  • Get to reading LOTR. Set up the task scheduler even if need be.
  • Report back in 1 week.