Two Uncomfortable Minutes (or Why It's Good to Take a Cold Shower Every Once in a While)
Two Uncomfortable Minutes (or Why It’s Good to Take a Cold Shower Every Once in a While)
I took a two minute cold shower earlier this week, the whole two minutes were complete hell and I wanted to do everything I could to get out of it. My body fighting with every instinct to pull me out or switch the water to warm as quickly as possible, but I had a goal and I was going to stick to it for those two excruciatingly long minutes. And then when my timer rang I let my body take over and pull myself out, reaching for the towel as quickly as I could. And then the weirdest thing happened, for the rest of morning (and most of the day) I felt a level of relaxation and motivation that I haven’t felt in ages as my body released a slow burn cocktail of endorphins for the rest of the morning. It was a high akin to a runner’s high, if not even better. And yet, knowing how good it made me feel, I haven’t taken a cold shower (at least at that capacity) since.
I believe that discomfort, at least to a certain extent as long as it’s controlled and safe, can be healthy and deliberately introducing it into your life from time to time can be healthy. Why? Because whenever we make ourselves uncomfortable we are pushing a boundary within ourselves and forcing ourselves to grow. Which is why I’ve themed my February my month of deliberate discomfort, with deliberate being the the key phrase. With deliberation we can pick what we want to bring into our lives to make ourselves uncomfortable and push those boundaries, and we can be sure that those areas we’re uncomfortable with are in line with our goals. For example, my brain doesn’t like writing newsletter or posting social media, but each time I do it I’m one step closer to growing an audience (which is a big goal of mine this year). So if you have an area of focus that you want to improve upon, I suggest that you look at the fringes of your comfort and find ways to push those even further.
I haven’t returned to cold showers this week in the same capacity of my first one earlier this week, and I know why. I think I went too hardcore too fast (or at least that’s my brain telling me that) which set up a bunch of mental hurdles. However, I still try to do a thirty second quick rinse off before turning up the heat and taking a regular shower at my preferred temperature. Which is to say, if you do intend to take on this challenge of deliberate discomfort, be sure to not push too hard too fast, instead inch one day at a time until you can become comfortable with a two minute long cold shower without issue.
Project Updates
From the Webb
Retirement (Short Story) - A brilliant tactician has been called upon for many centuries to help their empire. Put into stasis and brought back each and every glorious conquest, they have earned the victory of their empire many for a thousand year with the promise of a grand retirement at the end of the millennia. Except when they awake one century their empire is nothing more than dust and rubble and yet the machines call upon them to win a war that is no more.
Recommendations
Apps
WeCroak - To continue the theme of discomfort, here’s an easy thing to begin with: WeCroak. WeCroak is an app that reminds you five times a day at random times that you’re going to die along with a little quote about death and life, not the most comforting thoughts but a sobering one for sure. It’s based of the Bhutan philosophy that states that contemplating death five times a day brings happiness. It might not be the app for everybody but I personally recommend it.
Games
Inside (2017) - I picked up this relatively short game earlier this week. Lately I’ve been obsessed with media that depicts a sense of loneliness, hopelessness, and wonder all within a fading and hostile alien world, and I’ll just say that inside delivered. I don’t want to say much more due to spoiling the experience, but if you’re looking for something that’s dark, moody, and will leave you scratching your head, then Inside is a most recommend.