Treadmill of Self-Improvement

Hi there! It's the last week of October, and it's finally getting cold here in Eindhoven. The chilly weather seems to have come later than usual this year. Climate change is definitely real. I didn't expect to experience such high temperatures this year. Today, let's discuss the concept of the "hedonic treadmill" in self-improvement but first….

Weekly Inventory Check

Incorporating regular inventory checks into our lives is crucial. Just like in managing a store where you need to assess your inventory to restock shelves, we need to evaluate our routines and lifestyles periodically. These inventory checks provide insights into our lives, helping us identify what works and what needs to change. The challenge, however, lies in not getting too caught up in this pursuit of improvement that we forget to live in the present moment.

The Treadmill of Self Improvement

The concept of the "hedonic treadmill of self-improvement" illustrates the feeling of constantly striving for better without ever feeling truly satisfied. It's like running on a treadmill where you're putting in effort but not really getting anywhere specific. This feeling is common when people pursue self-improvement goals, always aiming for a better version of themselves.

In my own journey, I noticed a pattern. I used to focus a lot on improving myself for the future, thinking I would be happier or more fulfilled once I achieved certain goals. However, I realized that there's no definite finish line in self-improvement. Even when we reach a goal, there's always something else we want to achieve or improve upon. This constant pursuit of betterment can sometimes overshadow enjoying the present moment. I will elaborate on this with a recent experience. While having dinner with friends, I noticed a tendency in myself and a friend to fact-check information immediately using Google. While some saw it as a lack of trust, I viewed it as a way to expand my knowledge base continuously. This habit reflects the essence of a feedback loop - always seeking information, learning, and evolving. Embracing this mindset helps me appreciate the small changes I make each day instead of fixating on an elusive end goal. So, the idea is to implement the learnings into your day to day matters instead of intending to just check them off your list. 

In this journey, finding balance is crucial. Setting too many goals can be overwhelming. I used to aim for accomplishing a lot daily, but I've learned to appreciate small victories. For instance, completing my morning routine successfully feels like a significant achievement. It's about finding satisfaction in the little things rather than constantly piling on more tasks. While I've succeeded in certain aspects of life, such as family and work, my physical health has taken a hit. Despite recognizing this, I've decided to focus on it in the future, maybe in the coming year,  rather than trying to tackle everything at once. It's about prioritizing what matters most at a given time.

In essence, the key message here is that don’t take self-improvement as a goal, but as a fundamental part of your life's journey. Integrating self-improvement into my daily routine has been incredibly beneficial for me, allowing me to continuously learn and grow. Avoid treating it as a mere checkbox on your to-do list. For example, if you are reading a book, make it about what wisdom it offers and how you can apply it in your daily lives - absorb the lessons in short. Make self-improvement an integral aspect of your life, and watch how it transforms you positively.

Want More?

·  This article talks about how some people aim for perfection, while others aim for excellence. Those who aim for excellence understand that making mistakes is normal and valuable because they learn from them. They don't let mistakes shape their identity.

·  This article explores why some people always strive for the best and find it hard to appreciate what they already have.

·  This article advises not to wait for things to change and start finding joy in today.

Reel of the Week

Check out our reel of the week where I discussed how fact-checking is important. Despite media being solely responsible to only tell the truth, the exercise of checking facts is still on us because we are not living in an ideal world.

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Thoughts to leave you with

Life resembles a pendulum, swinging between moments of intense motivation and periods of relaxation or indulgence. Embracing this natural ebb and flow is key. It's okay to have days where we indulge, as long as we balance them with our desired goals. Taking a step back during challenging times is normal; it's important to evaluate what truly energizes us and incorporate those aspects into our daily lives. Progress isn't always linear, and it's essential to be compassionate with ourselves, understanding that setbacks are part of the journey. Ultimately, it's about finding balance, accepting the ups and downs, and continuing to move forward, even if it's one small step at a time.

Meetup

I deeply apologize for the regrettable circumstances surrounding last Saturday's planned Eindhoven meetup. My absence resulted from a week-long phone and WhatsApp outage, which regrettably caused me to fall short on my commitments. I acknowledge that there's no justification for this unprofessional conduct, and I wholeheartedly accept the blame for any inconvenience, particularly to those who attended or attempted to contact me. I remain hopeful that we can unite to foster our Eindhoven community, and I am immensely grateful for your understanding and backing.

The Weekly Vasl Podcast

Our Episode on Is it Really About Israel vs. Palestine is out now! You can watch it below! Mudassir and I are engaged again in a conversation, this time a very sensitive topic, digging into the global implications on mental health with the ongoing situation.

We also are on Spotify, Apple, Google, and wherever you listen!