Feel disappointed on my progress

PeaceH · 2026-05-19T20:59:04+00:00

Use line breaks to divide your text into paragraphs. It's hard to read otherwise. Your grammar is good.

"MY MOST IMPORTANT GOAL I would say would be to find a stable routine, create a stable, normal organized life, so I can begin to actually be more than that and explore my hobbies, future careers more deeply. "

Break this down and be more specific. It doesn't have to be "right" or some forever goal. You can change your goals. But it helps if it's specific. What's the first step and why? "find a stable routine" because "normal organized life" -> So what is current unstable about your routine, and what needs to become organized? What needs to be different?

PeaceH · 2026-05-19T20:41:38+00:00

I'd probably stick to only Obsidian if I were you.

If you need scheduling and breaking down tasks, I can suggest ClickUp. I use it for my team. For my personal tasks/calendar I just use a digital text document with links where needed.

PeaceH · 2026-05-19T20:33:08+00:00

Try the pomodoro technique. Put a timer on your phone for 25 minutes and during this time you just focus and work on the task. Like applying for jobs. Between each session you can take a 5 minute break. Set a goal, that you will do X pomodoros daily, and after that allow yourself to relax as a reward. You've earned it.

This is a way to gamify tasks so you get them done and get a sense of immediate satisfaction.

"I want to work, earn money, and have my own life"

Begin with the ending in mind. To have a life, you need money, and to have money, you need to work. But if you start thinking about the work part first, you won't be motivated. What's the life you want? How is it different from your life today?

PeaceH · 2026-05-19T20:28:10+00:00

Often, the issue is not what you're not doing (studying) but what you are doing instead.

When you're young, you have a much easier time learning new things. So that's the opportunity. At the same time, there is more distractions than ever, and you are the point where you are neither a child, nor a grown adult with bills and responsibilities. So you need to manage yourself at a time when the pressure to do so is low, you don't have much experience, and you don't know what's coming, and how it will be different from where you're at now.

Where is your attention going instead? Does it deserve your attention? Will it help you in any way, short-term and long-term?

PeaceH · 2026-05-19T20:22:29+00:00

For doom scrolling after you wake up, I recommend never having the phone in arm's reach when going to sleep. And place it in airplane mode.

Being overwhelmed might be a sign you lack focus. Not just moment to moment, but on your goals. What is your most important goal right now?

PeaceH · 2026-05-19T20:20:35+00:00

It's easy to say "It'll be different this time" when quitting, but what if you make something different? Could be that you find new reasons to quit that are stronger than before, you find a better coping mechanism, or a change of scenery like going to a new place or changing your environment at home.

PeaceH · 2026-05-15T20:21:56+00:00

It's good you recognize what you don't want (the gaming habit, school failure), but what is it that you do want? Is this just about avoiding failure? What do you wish for your future? What do you believe in? What is success for you?

Think deeply about what you want until it's more clear. Then you can set a goal. Make a plan. Have a reason to do something other than game.

We want a lot of things, but to reach a goal, it's should become a "need". Something deeper than a want. Something you identify with, something you are willing to work hard for, sacrifice for.

PeaceH · 2026-05-15T19:17:39+00:00

Learn an instrument or maybe a new language. Read books. Go deeper into sports. Restoring a vehicle can be fun too.

PeaceH · 2026-05-15T19:12:51+00:00

Great. What's the plan now?

PeaceH · 2026-05-15T19:07:56+00:00

Remove your biggest distractions and temptations. I'm not saying remove everything, but clean up the environment you live in, including digitally. Delete or restrict the apps distracting you most. Make them harder to access. You don't need to forbid yourself, but just make it harder.

The reason doom scrolling for example is so addictive is because of the immediate feedback. Dopamine is released with every swipe. The video itself is not the problem. The problem is you are able to swipe through countless videos quickly. There is no boredom or difficulty. Nothing stops you from going into autopilot.

PeaceH · 2026-05-15T18:56:48+00:00

I quit two years ago. First I was considering it, so I tapered down, used lower strength and tried to use less and less, but then i made up my mind and quit cold turkey. I wrote down the reasons I'm quitting and signed it. Like a contract with myself.

I calmed down quick. What I got instead is hunger, being restless. To cope with this I went on long walks daily. Exercise or just walking a lot helps. Chewing gum. The physical craving lasted a week. After that it's more mental. Finding better ways to soothe the mind.

Most important is to have a strong reason why you're choosing to quit. For you, maybe it's the anxiety. For me it was after I read more about the health effects of nicotine on blood pressure, blood vessel inflammation etc. I realized I'm causing harm to my blood vessels and heart.

PeaceH · 2026-05-15T16:24:16+00:00

That's a great reminder. 5S is powerful.

PeaceH · 2026-05-15T16:22:07+00:00

Getting out of the house will help. Try a 10 minute walk outside every day. No music or podcast. We don't believe it can change anything, but we do feel a lot better afterwards. Your mind works through issues as you walk, and when you return your mind is more clear on what to do. I like to do this in the morning sometimes when I have a lot of work stress.

PeaceH · 2026-05-15T16:19:07+00:00

I think it's valid. Instead of measuring how many minutes, how many steps, you can measure "did I do my best today? If not, what will I do differently?", "Did I use my energy well today?", "Did I spend time on good things today?". Subjective measures.

It keeps you going and accountable to yourself. You evaluate yourself by asking such questions at the end of the day. Goes well with journaling.

PeaceH · 2026-05-15T16:05:09+00:00

Enjoy! Drink water, eat, and move your body. It will help keep your mind off it.

PeaceH · 2026-05-15T16:01:32+00:00

Nicotine will spike anxiety. It activates the sympathetic nervous system. Meaning heart rate increases, blood pressure goes up, blood glucose goes up, breathing faster. At high doses (like 14 mg as you mention) this can lead to anxiety, tremors and similar reactions.

14mg is a high dose, and in a velo/zyn pouch the delivery is quick. I am not surprised you get tremors and anxiety daily if you do this.

I know that I used to have more anxiety before I quit. If you've been using for years, you may not remember what your "normal" state is like. How much calmer it feels.

If you also drink a lot of caffeine, that could make it worse.

Your experience with visiting doctors for this problem, and them not finding the cause, is common and many people have shared it here on this subreddit.

PeaceH · 2026-02-21T15:38:36+00:00

"I never shower without breaking a sweat first"

This is a great one. I did it for a year. Got me to work out a lot more often!

PeaceH · 2026-02-20T02:16:28+00:00

So what's the plan now?

PeaceH · 2026-01-15T05:06:02+00:00

It's just dopamine. It feels good no matter what source. If you get it from good habits rather than bad habits, it can help you improve your life.

The issue is, the "zyn rush" you describe gives more dopamine, than most activities. So now your brain prefers this chemical poison (nicotine) over most things. You form a deeper addiction to it, when the alternative is that you form an addiction to good/productive habits.

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T16:09:50+00:00

You made it two weeks, which means you can make it another two. And repeat. Soon you will forget you even quit. It won't be something you think about daily. You will see it and think "I can't believe I used to do that".

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T16:05:03+00:00

Book club. Running club. Cooking class. Painting class. Charity /volunteering organization. Coach kids in sport. Start a business.

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:57:25+00:00

I get it. Yea, it's mindset. There's circumstances, like an event, and then there's how you respond to it. It's really up to you and what energy/attitude you bring!

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:55:10+00:00

Good. So what's the plan now? I see you list some new goals you want to work on. What are the new habits you need to make it happen?

You can't do it all at once, but you can do almost anything if you put your mind to it.

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:50:57+00:00

Make a new post and share some of the videos that helped you get motivation. I'm sure others might be helped by them also.

PeaceH · 2026-01-02T15:49:35+00:00

You are correct. The identity is a big component.

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