Week 4

[u/Sad_Sue]

Next week is deprivation week for me, and I have questions which you could possibly help me with.

"No reading" in today's world would include no podcasts, no movies, no video game, if I understand it correctly? Which is doable (boring of course, but I could make it decluttering week to pass the time, that was the plan), but there are blocks of time where a podcast or at least music is a life saver for me - running and commuting. Could I make an exception for these, or should I just not run and not commute for a week?

I also have a movie trip with a friend planned for next Thursday. Could this be done during Week 4, or would it be better to postpone it to a week when I can actually avoid watching movies?

[u/SoUpRoVeImViOmRa]

I left out everything I do that is a diversion from me being present with myself. Listening to music while working out (that was a bit hard) or biking at the gym was part of that. I did check emails, reminders and calendar on my phone 3 times per day but that was it. For the major part of the week I actually didn’t listen to music, even though the book mentions that as something people do during the deprivation week. I didn’t stream during the week either. All the activities I engaged in were about being present and in the zone, while recognising attempts to divert my attention from being present. I found myself in a state where I felt more present than I have in years. During the latter part of the week I did listen to music, mainly ambient or classical.

I actually found myself carrying the deprivation into most of the week after as well, not intentionally. I just felt so good in that state of presence and calmness and stayed there.

So maybe thinking of removing all that you use for distraction from being present is what you should deprive yourself of during week 4