Self Improvement

[Spirit]

Self improvement. Honestly I never thought about this much until reading this thread. Nobody is absolutely perfect in every way so we all have something we can improve about ourselves, some more than others. There are many many imperfections when it comes to myself and I have a lot to work on. If you like reading into other's personal lives, enjoy.

For one, I am too timid when it comes to real-life social encounters. I'm definitely a shy kind of person, and it's surprising because I don't look quiet if you know what I mean. I'm sure it's something to do with being less than popular in elementary school, I feel I was sheltered by my family and in turn, isolated from my peers so friends were few and far between. Even to this day I am quite alone at school, I have a few friends but to be perfectly honest they're just people to talk to at school for the most part, I'll rarely do anything outside of the school day with them. So that's one thing that I'd like to work on. I need to be able to have more confidence in a social environment if I want to improve my overall quality of life.

In the contrary, however, there are times I can be a bit cocky and stuck-up online, always amplifying every little thing I have a hint of success with. Some think I'm fairly modest, however. It still wouldn't hurt to try to have less of an ego over the internet.

Another thing is that more often than not I have a really pessimistic attitude and feel depressed for no good reason other than "hormones" and "the weather". Last summer was especially bad, it hit me like a freight train. If you've seen my post in the depression thread you know the prominent triggers that'll drag me down. People have told me both online and in real life that it's perfectly okay and normal to feel down about losing my mother and last year's separation (that divorce I was anticipating did in fact occur) among other things. I know that life isn't all sunshine and rainbows as evident through my experiences but I don't want to constantly drown in my pain. I don't want to completely forget about the first 9 years of my life but I can't have it haunting me like it has been. I need to learn how to live happier, feeling like this constantly isn't getting me anywhere quick at all.

One more thing I need to work on is being less of a procrastinator. More and more lately I've peen pushing things to the deadline and it all it does is cause more stress for myself, like I need more of that. I know for a fact the earlier I can get things done and out of the way, the more relaxed I feel. I just need to actually do it.

So all-in-all; higher morale, lower ego, and more drive to get things done and be sociable.

Thanks for reading.

 

[W3H5]

In pursuit of a more minimal life, which I've been attempting for many years now, I'm in the process of defining the top 5 priorities in my life at present and then working towards them and cutting out all other irrelevant things.

My short list still might require some fine tuning and I'm only going to elaborate on the main priorities as each of the 5 has a few rules to help me maintain my focus but I won't bore anyone with those.

1) Most important - my wife/family.
2) Pleasure/happiness - doing the things I love to do within so long as it is within these 5 points.
3) Work - I love my work and do the best I can but there's always room for extra efficiency.
4) Knowledge - who doesn't want expand their knowledge base? This will also help me with sticking to these points.
5) Health - maintaining a good standard of health and being mindful of what excess is doing to my body in a bid to cut out some of unhealthy habits.

I'm hoping that once I'm able to focus almost exclusively on these things, along with my minimal possession philosophy, I'll be able to improve all round thanks to the dismissal of all other distractions.

 

[phillgt2002]

I'm disappointed after reading this thread and seeing my posts. I've gained a lot of weight back over those years but I did improve my confidence around other people.

I'm still fighting the weight gains and I've started to lose more weight, but now I'm fighting to get down to the weight I was in those posts. I currently weight 252 lbs, maybe a bit more after spring break. Whatever, it's just a battle that I have to consistently fight.

 

[Akmuq]

Fitness: I feel as if I am strong and quick (well, for someone who doesn't exercise unless it's a game of football) but I am pretty pathetic at running any distance without struggling for breath very quickly.

Academics: I find revising material very hard and struggle to focus if I don't find it interesting.

Work: I want a job that pays better, doesn't kill my back and finishes before 11pm at night.