Honestly, it took me months of brain fog, relying on AI for advice (dangerous!!), restarting gym classes, getting a major muscle injury, chronic sleep deprivation and a disappointing grade on an important test to realize (yet again) a lot of things.
It wasn't that i wasn't aware of these lessons at all, I knew them in theory. I knew that I have to "believe in myself", that "8 hours of sleep is important ", to "break down the goal into a list", but man, to experience them in reality hits different.
A list of whatever I've learnt the hard way in these past few months:
Do NOT rely on AI for any sort of advice that you can get from people in real life. You are fully capable of piecing advice and information from various sources to conclude what you need at the moment. Use AI with nuance, it is a tool, not a magic answer machine.
Additionally, use any piece of modern technology that has been tailored for addiction, as a tool. Tool for creativity, tool for social exchanges, tool for a quick laugh/Dopamine shot like a reward for a task.
Be fuckiekfjng intentional with these algorithms. They're designed like quick sand.
Warm-ups are very important!! Don't take them for granted. Similar for diets- make sure majority of your nutrients are from your food, prevention over cure.
Sleep schedule and meal schedule are VERY important!! Give your body an internal clock, this is step 1 to tacking brain fog. You need routines: morning routine, fitness routine, study/work routine, meal routine, bedtime routine, etc.
Step 2 for tackling brain fog is to have a dedicated time that is not for stimulation. 30 minutes of boredom goes a long way, wander around the house, speak your mind to the plants on your balcony, let your thoughts drift from one topic to another.
Have things to look forward to other than the work that is there as your "job". A date with your friend, a walk, a hobby, learn things outside of the "curriculum " but learn, make notes, build a fun website, do research on a niche topic for an essay you'll write on substack, find ways to add more whimsy and fun to your life. Name your plants, observe them and give them personalities, use more analogical tools (rather than digital) even if inconvenient (especially when inconvenient ), spend more time with real people and real things.
Its okay if you did not get a better grade/ outcome than average. The road doesn't end there, you can get to the same destination through another route too! Many people before you have done it, and you can too!!
