kierkegaard
Iron
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2020
- Posts
- 24
- Reputation
- 125
I've seen several threads here on being unable to study, concentrate, etc. And a few on a general feeling of boredom, directionlessness, misery and ennui.
Many of you "check" various forums throughout the day, and this is your downfall. Any meaningful work requires suffering through periods of confusion, aggravation, boredom. The knee-jerk response is to immediately escape this feeling and get a hit of dopamine by visiting one of these sites. Even in the hypothetical best case scenario, uncovering a highly amusing and creative post for example, the satisfaction is fleeting: it's never enough, since it's not really what you want. Eventually you cling to any feeling of amusement, silently scrolling through content, bored, lonely, and miserable.
The alternative is to confront yourself with your existence. Use your internet only when you have a reason to use it. If you're working and you get tired, that's fine, that is human. It's not a valid excuse for addictive amusement, though. That is a false dichotomy. Instead, if you need a break, stare at the wall. It's actually quite refreshing. In that moment, you will be you: nothing more, nothing less. Within a few minutes, you'll be ready to start working again.
Many of you "check" various forums throughout the day, and this is your downfall. Any meaningful work requires suffering through periods of confusion, aggravation, boredom. The knee-jerk response is to immediately escape this feeling and get a hit of dopamine by visiting one of these sites. Even in the hypothetical best case scenario, uncovering a highly amusing and creative post for example, the satisfaction is fleeting: it's never enough, since it's not really what you want. Eventually you cling to any feeling of amusement, silently scrolling through content, bored, lonely, and miserable.
The alternative is to confront yourself with your existence. Use your internet only when you have a reason to use it. If you're working and you get tired, that's fine, that is human. It's not a valid excuse for addictive amusement, though. That is a false dichotomy. Instead, if you need a break, stare at the wall. It's actually quite refreshing. In that moment, you will be you: nothing more, nothing less. Within a few minutes, you'll be ready to start working again.
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