How to consider an intentional
life.
This week my spouse and I are engaged in a one
hundred twenty hour fast mimicking diet. So you don’t have to do
the math 120 hours is equal to five-days. You’re welcome.
We
fast occasionally for long periods for different reasons. I decided
to fast for five days because I’ve had some digestive issues lately
and I want to get control over my life. My spouse fasts more often
than I do, he does it because he wants to optimize his health
outcomes. While we have different motivations we work together to
have a positive experience while we live with the challenge.
Full
disclosure, we conduct a modified fast based on the macronutrients
provided by the information on the Prolon Fasting Mimicking diet
website. Essentially we eat a very low-calorie diet (800 calories)
and we DIY the diet because I like saving money. It would be easier
to buy diet foods, but I can’t see doing that because buying
something I can create violates my sense of order in my life.
The
result beyond feeling a little hungry is that I must slow down a bit
during a fast because it’s hard to go fast when you have consumed
less energy. By ‘going fast’ I mean being ‘me’, over
thinking, taking on ten tasks that may or may not get finished,
jumping from one crazy concept to another completely unrelated
concept in the span of a few minutes, and doing a bit of research to
better understand what I’m thinking about.
Slowing down
has been a fantastic benefit for me so far this week. Slowing down
helped me notice that I’ve been consuming social media in a way
that isn’t helpful. To be honest it’s not my feed that’s
terrible, it’s the comments section. Even the most innocuous posts
have vitriol in the comments. I was telling my spouse that the
algorithm has trained people to be awful so they can gain traction on
social media.
In terms of intention, I don’t think the
algorithm was supposed to train the humans, it was supposed to be the
other way around. No doubt it was highly biased from the beginning.
I think of it like measuring twice, cutting once, or garbage in
garbage out. If the algorithm starts biased by the time it
arrives to the public it’s so corrupt it can’t be fixed. Now all
I can consider is the bad attitude the developers must have in their
hearts.
Noticing the terrible feedback in the comments
section has spurred me to be more intentional about my social media
consumption. I admit I get a boost from the garbage people say in the
comments section, I get a jolt with people's spot-on evaluation of
our society (because they reflected my perspective) or I get a bit
angry or frustrated because they reflect a perspective that violates
my ideas.
Ugh, being a person during this age can be a
real crap shoot. Even more reason to be intentional most of the time.
Now that I have recognized that reading the comment section is
harmful to me, I can be intentional in avoiding the comment section.
I still want to look at really adorable pets. I still want to see
mature ladies get their hair done. I like looking at art or watching
Instagram posts about etymology, but I won’t read the comments.
I
find I have the same addiction to the comments section as I do the
news. I realize I have little power to affect the outcome of our
current culture. But I’m a voyeur regardless because it gives me an
emotional boost. I’m sure there are scientific reasons why I would
want to read about the horrible state of the world or read the mean
comments people make on social media accounts, but I don’t need an
excuse to stop doing something that I believe is bad for me. I only
need to have the intention to stop harming myself.
These
are the steps I will take this week to eliminate the self-harm I’m
causing myself-
· I will create a
morning routine that includes reading either fiction or
non-fiction.
· I will not look at
the comments on social media or news feeds.
·
I’ll not read the news, at least for a while until I can
gain perspective.
· Instead of using
YouTube to block sounds from my work environment, I’ll listen to
soundscapes. My favorite is from “MyNoise”
called “Medieval Village”.
·
I’ll journal so I can sort out my feelings. I
aim to have feelings about actual life not life on the internet.
·
I’ll go outside more so I can imbue my heart
with calm.
· I’ll exercise
regularly.
That’s all I can think to do to help me as I
build my intention muscle. Winter is always a lazy time for me and as
spring approaches I see that I’m feeling better and more ambitious;
I’m going to lean into this feeling so I have a productive spring,
summer, and fall.
Intention requires effort similar to
fasting. I must ignore slight discomfort to acquire a result. I want
that for myself. I want to approach my existence with results in the
forefront of my mind. Not every result is monumental. For example,
there are times when I realize I’ve not worked towards having
well-manicured fingernails. I’m intentional in resolving this. I
work on my fingernails, and after a small effort, I’m super happy
with my results. Doing my nails can be meditative. Doing my nails
leaves me feeling fancy, which is fun for me. It’s a small action
with great results.
Sometimes I must do a task that
requires a lot of effort if I want great results, for example,
writing a book. That is also satisfying for me, but if I’m not in a
place where I can use the skill of intention to give myself a
manicure, I definitely won’t be in a mindset that allows me to
write a book. On the path of intention, small tasks with great
results lead to a boulevard of larger more complex tasks that can be
accomplished, if I have my intentions in order.
If you
feel as though you would like to build your intention muscle but
don’t know where to start I suggest you conduct a visualization
exercise. Visualizing the life you want can be a great way to
understand how to walk your path and have the results you desire. I
have a workbook with a companion podcast and a YouTube channel with
visualization exercises that may be helpful. “Your
Future Self: A Time Travelers Manifestation Workbook for Intentional
Well Being”
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