Well, here we are at the end of the month, and I can honestly say this has been the easiest challenge of them all. Unlike the dietary challenges, this one was much easier to maintain, as I was solely fighting a mental and not a physical craving. Against my will, I would crave meat, sugar, or caffeine, and felt miserable in their absence. When I craved some video game action or the like, I just shrugged it off and did something else. It was quickly no trouble at all to ignore.
Not to say there was no pain. At first, I struggled to fill my time. This led to a sort of depression, as I felt all I did with my life was passively watch and surf (the internet, not the ocean. That would be awesome). But I began to realize that my life was more full due to the increased reading and time spent outside. Therefore my views changed and I was happy to have removed this unnecessary part of my life.
So much time was wasted by me on passively switching my mind off. I suppose that's the big difference: even though reading is physically passive, the brain is forced to be active. And therefore the quality of time is better and you feel your nights and weeks are longer/better.
I will absolutely go back to watching TV, playing video games, and using the internet. Hell, I doubt I could give up podcasts if I tried! But I highly recommend trying this challenge out. It has really given me a different perspective on my life and my free time. Hopefully, I will be able to compartmentalize to their appropriate places as a part of my life instead of the dominant factor.
Next month: the month of exercise!
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