Days 18-27 - 2026.09.19-09.28
Streaks
Used Brick: 5 (PB: 8)
Notes: My best estimate for this and Freedom as I have been good about not scrolling aimlessly but also forgetting to actually turn brick on and off (which means it is often on - so, mission accomplished?)
Checked Freedom settings: 5 (PB: 8)
Notes: Same as above.
No podcasts for at least 90 days: 27
Notes:
No mindless scrolling: 3 (PB: 5)
Notes:
No YouTube: 27
Notes:
Did morning devotionals and reading routine: 5 (PB: 4)
Notes:
Went to sleep in bed: 0 (PB: 2)
Notes:
Used CPAP: 0 (PB: 2)
Notes:
Reviewed Anki Cards: 0 (PB: 2)
Notes:
Reflection
I really need to be better about trying to write daily, but I guess just a lot has been going on. I can't believe I'm almost at 30 days already. I do think my head is clearer to some extent, and I know I'm much less fixated on the things happening in the world that I largely can't control (i.e., politics, etc.). Using audio Scripture has done wonders to refocus my mind. I do miss the conversational nature of the podcasts at times, but I'm still not sold on if I should go back, or if I should just impose time limits like the other things (I could use screen time so that I can only use the app for 2 hours or between a certain time, like when I exercise). And even there, I feel like I don't gravitate toward anything helpful or educational - only entertainment to keep my mind distracted. I'll have to continue pondering what I'll do once I reach 90 days.
I'm trying to do better with genuinely engaging with my hobbies, but I'm still struggling with many of them feeling like obligations instead of things to do for fun. Not sure why that is. For example, I feel like I have to take care of my plants, that I must keep up with them, their watering, pruning, etc. I don't feel like I get to simply interact with them. Everything in my life is often so procedural, which can be very good when trying to maintain schedules and such, but also makes it difficult to just do things for the sake of doing them. Not sure where I'm going with this at the moment, but I know I would like to stop feeling the stress of everything being a self-imposed obligation.
Some say it's the ADHD, that we "procrastinate" doing our hobbies; I do relate. Perhaps it's the vague miasma called "All The Things I Need to Do" that hangs about me. My desire for checklists and procedures is a way of introducing an element of control to so much uncertainty. The prospect of not knowing is what often makes me anxious, and so reducing the amount of guesswork I need to do through the automation of a checklist alleviates this to some extent. But then I end up making the checklists for hobbies, and things I should be doing for fun. Not all of that is bad (having checklists for my plants is helpful), but I need to find ways to keep that from making it into a chore.
I just feel very tired right now, and need to find a way to start really enjoying the things around me. I've considered moving my journal to the Discord, as it seems to have gotten very quiet on this side. Not quite like the old days, but I like the history of what I have here and the format, so I probably won't.
Replacement Categories / Activities
Working on / maintaining automobiles
Reading
Working out / weightlifting
Entomology
Ornithology / bird-watching
Fishing
Cooking
Candle-making
Soap-making
Gardening & Indoor Plants
Listening to music with record player
Working on a "weeknight compartment" project step
Socializing with friends, family, or my brother
Date nights and activities with my wife
Woodworking
Tinkering and repairing retro tech
Dedicated movie viewing
Playing with my dog and caring for Toad
By
FDRx7 ·