if i'm stuck at solving a problem,
maybe i'm trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist.
or that i mistake a problem for another.
first, define the problem.
i recently thought that my problem is "lacking a purpose in life" or "losing meaning in life" or "losing the desire or drive for life".
but let's remove "purpose", "meaning", "life", and all those fancy words for a moment.
and instead, just start with my most immediate complaint.
what's my chief complaint right now?
discomfort.
how is it uncomfortable?
my head feels... full, heavy, kinda pressing.
how do you think you can aggravate or alleviate it?
staring at screens makes it worse, along with mindlessly scrolling through YouTube and stuff; also when thinking of how i should be able to do so many stuff while instead i'm just sitting around doing nothing.
i feel like a good rest can alleviate it though. but i've slept apparently enough hours, so either the quality or i need something else to rest beyond sleep.
what's keeping you from avoiding these aggravating factors and exercising these alleviating factors?
scrolling YouTube feels like it'd give a short burst of relief, so i keep doing it despite making it worse in the longer term. that said, my need for that burst of relief seems to arise from my own pressure (my should's) to do things instead of doing nothing. that is, if i don't force myself, maybe i can relax without the relief bursts from YouTube.
and that way, i'd be able to rest my mind, too; improving my "rest" beyond sleep (if not also increase my sleep quality).
you know what you're doing. any other complaints?
eeh not really.
cool.
see? did i ever mention "purpose" or "meaning" or "life"? maybe it's never been about anything esoteric as those things—maybe it's as simple as troubleshooting a bad thought habit.
it's nice to philosophize our "problems" as a way to lead an examined life,
but before we make abstract assumptions,
we must not forget to first,
define our problem.
and start with the most direct
of our sensations.
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