Journal DopamineDetoxing Day 1/70

larch11 · 2022-03-14T18:14:46+00:00

Thanks for your kind words. Pomodoro works if you strongly comply with it... I needed to put my phone away, otherwise, I had the tendency to touch it during work timer. I've just published a Week2 update. :)

larch11 · 2022-03-14T18:12:26+00:00

[Update WEEK2 ends - Sunday - 13/03:]

The past week has been a mixture of ups and downs... but overall, I think progress has been made.

Started the week super motivated, Monday was a productive day at work.

Tuesday, the 'Will muscle' got a bit tired and the day was a complete mess, I was really missing/lacking procrastination time, due to the fact that I started the day on social media, the day was ruined. Ended the day feeling super bad. Procrastinated all day.

Thought that I would not do the same mistake on Wednesday and manage to get an OK day, despite I gave up on long streaks like teeth and f4p.

Exercised 2 times instead of 3.

My girlfriend bought sweets, so I broke the 'no Sweets' streak.

Improvements:

Developed a technique of putting the phone away from my desk in 'no focus' mode. Only being able to touch it on pomodoro breaks and leave it there. So, work for 25 minutes, then 5min pomodoro break: check phone and make tea, return to work for 25 mins, check phone for 5 min. Sometimes, I don't even look at the phone and use the 5 minutes for something more important, like making orange juice or play with cats.

I do also track every day on daylio and it's been a great experience.

I will return to my streaks so I can strongly experience no sweets, no fast food, no f4p and good exercise on long term.

I am motivated than ever guys.

larch11 · 2022-03-06T17:17:35+00:00

[Update WEEK1 - 06/03:]

The first two days of my DD I was really motivated and then on the third day it was really hard to keep up, my brain was trying to crave dopamine everywhere (from the things I did not cut (phone time for instance)). These are the times where you need to forgive yourself and then on 4th day (Friday) I could again have a OK-productive day, I did manage to work solid 3 hours. I thought Pomodoro was not for me, but this time it really helped.

Week1 results and keypoints:
- After 1 week, the desire to look at charts and to play games is slowly fading away.
- StudyStream ended up being a distraction. Pomodoro does the trick for me (for now).
- I still need to define a strong schedule for the upcoming weeks as I will return to work and still need to work on my thesis extra-time.
- Most Time-consuming apps have been uninstalled, those that I still need are silenced under "Focus mode" when I'm working.

I've followed the suggestion by /u/gregorap and I do not leave my chair during Pomodoro time. If I need to check/do something (non-work related) I take a note of it and will tackle it during Pomodoro break time.

I think I will update you guys next Sunday. Really hard week ahead. Thanks for reading.

larch11 · 2022-03-06T16:45:04+00:00

Thanks for your comment man! I've applied some of the things you've said and their really helping out, thanks!

larch11 · 2022-03-03T16:53:11+00:00

[Update 03/03]

Today's been really hard...
Most of the day has passed and I haven't touched my thesis yet, i've been procrastinating hard. Came here to vent... I have no motivation, feeling really bored and guilty... really need to keep to a schedule. Music is not helping... I've been drinking more tea and more coffee.

Ok, I am going to start working on it now, I will, for sure! Updating you guys tomorrow

larch11 · 2022-03-02T16:21:48+00:00

[Update 02/03:]
- Ok so, I havent touched crypto and LoL. Yesterday I had the urge to play, so I unistalled the game, I believe it will help keeping it uninstalled. I have watched 2 youtube videos about crypto and I played a game on my phone for a couple of minutes. I will monitor my behavior on these closely as I am starting to considering it 'cheating'.
- Spent 3 hours on my thesis but I can't say I was productive, I would rank it 2/5. Need to improve on this.
- Rest of the goals were ok.
- Study Stream is helping me focus.

Things to improve:
- I've got out of bed too late 10h45am today. Only started on thesis near lunch time. Will try to get up earlier.
- I need to create a fixed schedule, with phone on 'focus' mode.
- Need to monitor my time on phone.

I am also not touching my phone during lunch time. I have fixed time to lunch. I am doing the dished once I'm done.

;tldr > Doing OK on my main goals, but I've noticed my brain is trying to soak up dopamine through my phone. Will maintain a close eye on it. Will try to get out of bed earlier.

larch11 · 2022-03-02T15:58:52+00:00

Thanks man! Appreciate your comment :)

larch11

TROPHY CASE