Transparent Tuesdays

Issue 8

Hello Computer Friends!

Tomorrow I’m going to attempt a 24-hour experiment without internet, television, or podcasts. I can still go on my computer to write but I can’t check email, Twitter, or consume any online content. I can’t wear headphones on my long afternoon walk. I can’t end the night with some murder show on television. It’s essentially a modified technology-free day.

I’ve learned that the best way to make changes in my life is with little experiments. It could be a habit I try for a month, a week, or in this instance, a day. Experiments are fun challenges that feel doable because they are always for a finite amount of time. 

What sparked this challenge?

I’ve been so scatterbrained and distracted lately. The second I lose focus, I scan my internet tabs for the next dopamine hit. Twitter? Email? Instapaper? What should I be doing right now? Should I read that article? Listen to that podcast? What is the best way to utilize my time at this very moment?

It’s exhausting and counterproductive. I should sit with the discomfort of not knowing how to move forward with whatever I’m working on, but it’s too easy to get distracted. 

I find myself trying to plan out tomorrow’s experiment hour-by-hour to make sure I am constantly busy: bake cookies, meditate, do laundry, go for a long walk. Which is probably not the point, but I’m not 100% sure what the point is yet. I guess I’m curious to see if I can gain more focus by removing some of the noise.

I’ll let you know how it goes. 

I encourage you all to try a new experiment to get you out of your normal routine. 

Tip: you know it’s good if the challenge excites you while at the same time makes you nervous or uncomfortable.

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Real Talk

I don’t have any more time or energy for surface-level conversations. 

Don’t talk to me about your life the same way that you present it on Instagram. 

Let’s be real with each other. 

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Long-Form Essay

I wanted to share my process with you as I attack my first long-form essay:

Topic: Intuitive Eating

Thesis: What is happiness? Happiness is waking up in the morning and looking forward to the day. As long as you are consumed by decisions around food, you cannot be happy. Once you are able to let go of old beliefs and learn to trust your intuitive body, you can begin to heal and slowly pave the way to your new, happy life.

Why am I writing this?

I struggled with my relationship with food and body image for so long. I see family and friends clearly struggling with the same thing, but it’s impossible to talk to them about it either because they’re not in a place to hear it, or because I’m not doing a good job presenting the information. I had an “aha” moment years back that set me on the course to a healthy relationship with food and my body. I want to provide that “aha” moment for others. 

What’s my goal?

I want people to realize that there’s a better way to live. I want people with a really bad relationship with food to approach the problem in a new way - a way in which they are not treating their weight as the problem, but instead, realize that food is not the enemy and they can trust their body to guide them to a healthy life that deprives them nothing.

You don’t need to have an eating disorder to have a bad relationship with food and your body. No matter what your relationship, there are a lot of takeaways from my experience that can be helpful to others. 

Chapters:

1: A “Holy Shit” Moment

2: The Special K Challenge

3: Binging and Bulimia

4: Diet Vanilla Pepsi and Ambien

5: Blacking out is Normal

6: Cheez-its and Wine

7: Cocaine, Molly, and Adderall

8: Intuitive Eating

9: Bikram and Blue Apron

10: A Weekly Wine Schedule (Am I an Alcoholic?)

11: The No-Late-Night-Snack Experiment

12: The Wedding Diet

13: Raising an Intuitive Eater

14: Conclusion

Last week I wrote the personal stories of the first five chapters. This week, my goal is to write the personal stories of the next four chapters. I’m also in the process of transcribing the highlighted sections of the book, Intuitive Eating, to my Evernote. 

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Michael Jordan

Does anyone else get SO PUMPED watching the Michael Jordan documentary?! I didn’t know too much about him but now that we’re eight episodes in, I can say with sincerity and awe that he is truly inspiring. 

Alvin Brooks III @Coach_AB3

Michael Jordan was 1st in their team sprints (Top pic). MJ actually touched the line (Bottom left pic). MJ sprints to finish 1st (Bottom right pic). If MJ competed in sprints, no excuse for any other player to coast through sprints! #TheLastDance

I can’t imagine competing at his level, but I can relate to loving a sport so much and feeling disappointment when teammates don’t love it as much as you and don’t take it as seriously as you. Sure, Jordan talked the talk, but he more than walked the walk. He didn’t expect anything from his teammates that he didn’t also expect from himself. 

I’m curious if people feel the way I do - that Jordan was an amazing teammate and anyone who had the opportunity to play alongside him should feel lucky - or if you think he was too mean, too harsh, and out of line with his teammates. 

What are your thoughts on Michael Jordan as you watch this documentary?

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A Last Word About Courtesy

A family friend (who randomly collects old etiquette books) sent me a book that my Great Grandfather originally gave to my Grandma in 1931.

It’s called The New Book of Etiquette by Lillian Eichler, written in 1924.

It’s kind of incredible to hold and read a book this old, a book that my dead relatives once held in their hands. 

It’s also hysterical and offensive to read some of this nonsense, like the following:

"Let everything you do and say be governed by a desire to please others. For these are the things that distinguish a fine character."

I never would have survived the 1930s.

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Until next week!

Charlie