Belated New Years Resolutions

If you did not set new years resolutions yet, here you can copy mine. These are based on my learnings from Tim Ferriss, Ryan Holiday and James Clear.

1) What do you do when you have nothing to do?

 I make a conscious choice of carrying a hard-copy book with me or learn Dutch in Duolingo. This overcomes my inclination to consume content like a dopamine-desensitized zombie.

2) What do you eat when you don't know what to eat?

Preparing Indian food tests my patience. I instead follow a single recipe for a salad which is my go-to food whenever I do not know what to prepare. It feels so effortlessly automated, plus it's healthy! Salad is an acquired taste (is what I tell myself).

3) Zesjescultuur (The Sixes Culture): Would you choose to do something with 60% efficiency than not do it at all? The Sixes Culture refers to the tendency of Dutch students to put in no more effort than the minimum necessary to score six out of 10 in exams. Think about the different areas of your life you need to just pass. Health - Walk everyday. Run twice a week. No need to over-complicate unless you are a part of a body building competition. Social - Practice a comfort challenge on suggesting weekend trip ideas. Or phone a friend and ask an open ended question. Finance - Invest 20% of your monthly income in an index fund. No desire to beat the market. The zesjescultuur gives me permission to take it easy - we are just monkeys on a spinning rock!

Last but the most important: "How often can you punctuate this seeking happiness project with the realization that you are already free?"- Sam Harris. Capture as many present moments as you can. The comfort of a morning coffee, the sharp taste of salt, the warmth of a hug, the pinnacle of human civilization at your fingertips...

Although mindfulness seems to be a mirage that becomes unreal the moment you grab it, striving for it can still be wonderful! I hope you realize you are free as many times as possible this year!