Chapter 1: The Need for Rest

At the end of this summer, I found myself feeling overwhelmed. The stress from exam season lingered, and I struggled to regain my mental balance. With summer slipping away, I realized I needed genuine relaxation.

In moments like these, I often turn to writing to process my thoughts.

Writing can be a therapeutic outlet, helping to clarify one’s state of mind.

Section 1.1: A New Strategy

After about thirty minutes of writing, I concluded that I needed to reduce my screen time and engage in activities that would allow my mind to unwind. At that point, I remembered a technique I had come across on YouTube: staring at a wall for an hour.

While it may sound absurd at first, I was intrigued. Surely, going for a walk might be a more sensible choice, but my curiosity got the better of me. This technique was presented as a form of meditation, and I was eager to explore new methods for relaxation.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Purpose Behind the Practice

I learned about this method from Dr. K's Healthy Gamer video, where he described it as a powerful meditation technique. He noted that participants often have varied experiences—some may find themselves crying, while others might feel a sense of torment with no apparent benefit.

However, one key advantage is that it fosters boredom.

Consider this: Have you trained yourself to embrace boredom for an hour? Dr. K emphasized that becoming comfortable with boredom can help mitigate the urge to constantly check social media, which was a compelling reason for me to give it a shot.

Chapter 2: My Experience with Wall Staring

After an hour of focused wall-staring, I penned my thoughts in my journal. It turned out to be one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced. The urge to stop and do something else was constant.

I experienced a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, revisiting subjects I'd previously set aside. Surprisingly, the hour passed quicker than I anticipated, leaving me mentally drained as if I had been studying intensely.

While it wasn't a transformative experience, it did highlight a crucial insight: we often neglect the ability to simply be bored.

Boredom is vital for our mental well-being, and though it might seem like an extreme realization, it resonated with me.

Would I attempt it again? Well, I’m not sure. If I find myself in a similar rut, spending excessive time on YouTube or Instagram, I might consider it again. Nonetheless, I believe going for a walk with a friend could be a better choice.

This experience has made me more conscious of how I spend my time on social media. I also aim to incorporate regular meditation into my routine, something I've practiced intermittently over the years.

I hope you found this post engaging! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments; all feedback is welcome and appreciated.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to our next conversation!