Hi all.

I'll keep this as brief as possible.

I've been in Monk Mode for the last few months. During that time, I've been working on my physical health, mental health, spiritual health, working on my finances and generally just working on myself as one would expect.

I won't delve into the benefits of Monk Mode, or try to talk you into doing it. This post is just some things I have learned in the last few months that I thought might help others who are looking into Monk Mode.

CUT YOUR HAIR

No, not a stylish haircut. I'm talking a Grade 3 or lower buzzcut all over.

I used to have really awesome hair. It was long and majestic. I'd put Argan Oil on it to take care of it and use the best, most expensive shampoo and conditioner to wash it nicely. I'd always have to make sure it was presentable before leaving the house. I'd have to use a headband whenever I was working out or playing football. It was annoying in all honesty.

I thought to myself: "Fuck it." I went to the closest barber which recently opened up again since the lockdown and told him to give me a Grade 3 all over. He asked if I was sure and I said yeah. The difference was night and day. I looked like someone who just got out of prison. That change brought about a change in my attitude and thoughts. I no longer cared about how I looked. Function over fashion. And that's my mentality going forward. Don't give a fuck about how you look to others when you're in Monk Mode, because you are solely working on yourself, so the opinions of others mean nothing to you. Perhaps, after Monk Mode, if you're looking to land a certain job or get into a certain position, you may have to look a certain way, and that's fine. But while in Monk Mode, you should only be thinking about one person, and that's yourself.

CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS

When going Monk Mode, you will be giving up temporary pleasures for long-term gains. You will be giving up eating junk food for a healthier diet. You will be giving up wasting hours on a video game for working on a hobby that will bring benefit into your life. You will be giving up going out late at night with your friends/family for having a healthy sleeping schedule. You will be giving up social media for having more mental clarity.

When you're giving up these things, naturally, you may find it difficult at first. But something that helped me when I felt like I wanted to eat shitty food or miss a workout to play games is tell myself: "This won't make me happy." Honestly, try it. Next time you want to order pizza, just tell yourself, "This food won't make me happy." Just the act of telling yourself that will give you the strength you need to make the right choice. And this self-control will seep into the other areas of your life. Suddenly, you don't need to watch porn, because you know it won't make you happy. Suddenly, you look around you and see everyone is a slave to their own desires, not even realising how destructive their bad habits truly are, and how much they themselves are holding themselves back.

CUT OUT THE SHIT

Simple really. When people see you're making progress, they're gonna give you shit at first. They're testing your resolve. Especially family. Most people don't want to see you succeed because it will remind them of their own failures. So fuck all that nonsense. Make your moves in silence. You don't need to announce to the world that you're going to the gym, or you're saving money, or you're working on a certain hobby. Do your thing and let them assume what they want. Eventually, when they realise they can't do shit to you, they will learn to respect you.

If you must, associate yourself with people who will lift you up and you can lift them up. I have two close friends who are also in Monk Mode, and each of us is on our own grind, making moves. We don't need to see each other or talk to each other every day. But we give each other updates at least once a month. We give each other good advice about things the other lacks knowledge on. And we discuss our various plans and actions we're taking to achieving them. It's nice, but not necessary. The only person you really need is yourself.

TL;DR: Focus on not caring about superficial shit, but what is functional. Learn to control your desires and not let them control you. Don't give a fuck about what others say and make your moves with or without them.