Ideas for one month challenge

I joined the no jerking off challenge (http://www.dreamviews.com/f16/365-da...llenge-126295/) and during the process it gave me an idea, to start one month challenges for different things. It could be either to cultivate good habits or get rid of bad habits, or simply just to make myself feel better since I feel that that it is helping me to fight my OCD.

I've got a few ideas but they seemed kind of weak and not exciting. Read a book everyday for a month, sleep early everyday for a month, be on time everyday for a month (it'll be annoying if you're late just once lols).

Or it can be used for addictions, like no DV for a month for example.

So I'm hoping someone will give me some ideas. I might start it straight after this no fap challenge is over in 6 days time. :)

How about NO lucid dreams for a month? (I would acheive that easily, going on my previous form.:cheeky:)

P.S: Good luck Carrot with the OCD.
I did have a lucid dream with an OCD element in it recently where I was checking my back gate 2 or 3 (or 4?) times to see it was locked. It is one of those things where stress does'nt help.
I always remember at work one time a few years back when I was showing someone this job where I was putting something back together where I checked something was in place with my fingers. Thing is, this guy noticed and said "you have already checked that once."
I found that a bit embarassing. I think I had to somehow laugh it off. (Not that I'm saying it's a laughing matter.)
I know what I should have said that I was doing a 'reality check' to see what his reaction would have been?:shadewink:

Don't drink any soda for one month.

lol good luck

EXCELLENT idea!

Here are my goals, which I might not be able to complete start until I return from a trip on 04/08/2012:
No Smoking for one month
Walk for 30 minutes every day for one month

Learn how to stand on your hands for 60 seconds :)

be totally aware for one month. be aware of every movement you make, every breath you take, every thought or emotion that enters your mind. if even for 1 millasecond you are on autopilot then you fail.

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Originally Posted by slayer

Don't drink any soda for one month.

lol good luck

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Easy! Seriously, if you don't drink soda for a month you'll never want to drink it again. I used to love soda. Then for no real reason, I just stopped drinking it for a few weeks (I think I just forgot about it or something?).

I can't stand soda now. Makes me feel like crap, tastes like crap, is crap, crap.

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Originally Posted by tropicalbreeze

be totally aware for one month. be aware of every movement you make, every breath you take, every thought or emotion that enters your mind. if even for 1 millasecond you are on autopilot then you fail.

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I already follow this, to an extent. It's a common concept--that is, being aware. But to do so EVERY WAKING SECOND is likely impossible, even to people who train and practice the art of awareness.

i know its almost impossible. :D
but why not try.

I'd fail within minutes. :P

i'd fail within seconds.

here is something less demanding.
for one month try using your opposite hand you normally use, to do EVERYTHING. whether it be to brush your teeth, write, draw, wipe your ass, eat, clean, use your computer mouse, etc.

I want to try no phone and computer for one month!!! :mwahaha:

My friend mentioned one month without cracking my hands. :?

I crack them everyday because my body is stiff.

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Originally Posted by Carrot

I want to try no phone and computer for one month!!! :mwahaha:

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http://linkhay2.vcmedia.vn/thumbs/at...056368198.jpeg

How about one month without picking your nose ;)

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Originally Posted by weakamon

How about one month without picking your nose ;)

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Your nose will be piled up with dirt. That's unhygienic. :P

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Originally Posted by Carrot

I want to try no phone and computer for one month!!! :mwahaha:

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No computer? :(

Phone? Again, easy. I canceled my cell phone a few months ago. Kinda sucks, not being able to text and such... but it wasn't worth the monthly bill (I had a smartphone), plus I already have a landline. I'll probably pick up a pay-as-you-go phone eventually, just for texting.

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Originally Posted by sefalik

No computer? :(

Phone? Again, easy. I canceled my cell phone a few months ago. Kinda sucks, not being able to text and such... but it wasn't worth the monthly bill (I had a smartphone), plus I already have a landline. I'll probably pick up a pay-as-you-go phone eventually, just for texting.

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I figured it will be a good way to relive our childhood without computer, internet and handphone. :)

Imagine using public coin phone to contact your friends if you can't find them when you're out with them!

I'd like to do that. But unfortunately, I think all the public phones have been ripped out. :(

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Originally Posted by sefalik

I'd like to do that. But unfortunately, I think all the public phones have been ripped out. :(

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I still see a few of them here. But they're rather rare. But I believe I would still be able to meet my friends even without my phone. :)

My friends are weird. I tell them I canceled my phone...
"Oh. Well, guess I won't be hearing from you anymore."

??????
I still have a phone that can makes CALLS, we're friends on Facebook, and I'll give you my email. This is another reason I dropped the phone--people are too dependent on them. I was too, didn't like that. I've met two people through craigslist since canceling my cell phone. It's really not that hard. You just have to plan and communicate ahead of time. Can't drive out somewhere and be like, "Oh shit, forgot to ask which apt number."


Oops, I'm ranting a bit. :)

I think, in general, it'd be more beneficial to do something than not do something. Plus it'd make you more 'expressive' rather than 'restrictive'. What am I saying? o.0 Anyway...

Drink the recommended intake of water every day for the month.

Meditate in the morning and evening each day.

A random act of kindness every day.

Sleep before midnight every night.

Attempt a particular lucid dream induction technique for a whole month irrespective of failures.

Smile at or spark up a conversation with a stranger every day.

With regards to what I said above, what would one gain by being silent for a month (restrict speech)? You may hear more, but you're making yourself far less engaging and interesting. Better to replace it with speaking to more unknown people (expressive).

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Originally Posted by Wolfwood

I think, in general, it'd be more beneficial to do something than not do something. Plus it'd make you more 'expressive' rather than 'restrictive'. What am I saying? o.0 Anyway...

Drink the recommended intake of water every day for the month.

Meditate in the morning and evening each day.

A random act of kindness every day.

Sleep before midnight every night.

Attempt a particular lucid dream induction technique for a whole month irrespective of failures.

Smile at or spark up a conversation with a stranger every day.

With regards to what I said above, what would one gain by being silent for a month (restrict speech)? You may hear more, but you're making yourself far less engaging and interesting. Better to replace it with speaking to more unknown people (expressive).

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Might sound weird to you, but I think I like the idea of restricting myself. I've been restricted much in this world, and many a times I don't have a choice. It makes me feel helpless about situations. But when I restrict myself, although it's still a restriction but it's giving my brain the thought that I'm doing it for myself, I'm doing it because I want to not because anyone force me to. Probably it's letting my brain view restrictions in another way.

I guess that was the whole idea of the no fap challenge? That you would gain the time spend from restricting yourself doing something and spending it on other things.

I've a thought of not eating vegetables for a month, but that's too extreme and it's bad for health. I'm a vege lover. ;)

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Originally Posted by Carrot

Might sound weird to you, but I think I like the idea of restricting myself. I've been restricted much in this world, and many a times I don't have a choice. It makes me feel helpless about situations. But when I restrict myself, although it's still a restriction but it's giving my brain the thought that I'm doing it for myself, I'm doing it because I want to not because anyone force me to. Probably it's letting my brain view restrictions in another way.

I guess that was the whole idea of the no fap challenge? That you would gain the time spend from restricting yourself doing something and spending it on other things.

I've a thought of not eating vegetables for a month, but that's too extreme and it's bad for health. I'm a vege lover. ;)

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Yeah my idea on restrictive or expressive seemed lame after I posted it anyway lol, I came back to change it. Whether an addition or a removal of a habit, so long as the result of that habit is beneficial to you in some way, then it's useful. It doesn't have to be physiologically and biologically good for you, if it's sole purpose is to help you psychologically. That is, if to you, at the time psychology is more important than biological etc (though usually biology/psychology/physiology all go hand in hand).

For instance, not eating vegetables for a month is hardly going to give you any deleterious health effects, but it might, psychologically speaking, help you immensely: Say, with discipline of the ID, the instinctive desire.... because as you said, you love vegetables. If you wanted to mitigate the mild health effects, you could take multivitamin tablets. Then you still get your discipline training.

I'm incredibly impulsive, and hate repetition. So a challenge opposing this trait might be useful for me....given that it's difficult for me to repeatedly attempt lucid dreaming every night. And then to record dreams in a journal....damn, no chance of that lasting long.

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Originally Posted by Wolfwood

Yeah my idea on restrictive or expressive seemed lame after I posted it anyway lol, I came back to change it. Whether an addition or a removal of a habit, so long as the result of that habit is beneficial to you in some way, then it's useful. It doesn't have to be physiologically and biologically good for you, if it's sole purpose is to help you psychologically. That is, if to you, at the time psychology is more important than biological etc (though usually biology/psychology/physiology all go hand in hand).

For instance, not eating vegetables for a month is hardly going to give you any deleterious health effects, but it might, psychologically speaking, help you immensely: Say, with discipline of the ID, the instinctive desire.... because as you said, you love vegetables. If you wanted to mitigate the mild health effects, you could take multivitamin tablets. Then you still get your discipline training.

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After reading what you said, I feel like trying it. I've got a feeling if I played with my desires, I might be able to regain control of myself instead of losing it because of OCD or depression. But one month without vegetables is insane, I'll have a hell of a hard time clearing my bowels.... :? I should try one day first before I decide on the challenge.

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Originally Posted by Wolfwood

I'm incredibly impulsive, and hate repetition. So a challenge opposing this trait might be useful for me....given that it's difficult for me to repeatedly attempt lucid dreaming every night. And then to record dreams in a journal....damn, no chance of that lasting long.

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You shouldn't deny yourself the chance of completing it without even trying it. And you know if we keep telling ourselves "It's not possible", then it really becomes impossible. It'll probably be a good way to train your willpower too. After all, we all know, we are much more amazing than we think. :)

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Originally Posted by Carrot

After reading what you said, I feel like trying it. I've got a feeling if I played with my desires, I might be able to regain control of myself instead of losing it because of OCD or depression. But one month without vegetables is insane, I'll have a hell of a hard time clearing my bowels.... :? I should try one day first before I decide on the challenge.

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lol, you can still eat bran flakes. Then 'bowel evacuation' will still be easy. ^_^

Yes, I think it's very important to discipline your instinctive desire. To not go with what you feel, but what you rationally think. I fall into this trap time and time again - going with impulse is quite normal to me. From a Freudian perspective, it's as if the Ego and Superego are in the shadow, whilst the ID reigns supreme.

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Originally Posted by Wolfwood

lol, you can still eat bran flakes. Then 'bowel evacuation' will still be easy. ^_^

Yes, I think it's very important to discipline your instinctive desire. To not go with what you feel, but what you rationally think. I fall into this trap time and time again - going with impulse is quite normal to me. From a Freudian perspective, it's as if the Ego and Superego are in the shadow, whilst the ID reigns supreme.

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One month challenge on bran flakes for breakfast every morning and no vegetables together? :lol:

I need some explanation on Ego, Superego and ID. I've seen them and read a little about them before but I'm not too sure about it too. I don't usually go with my impulses, instead I'll have a hard time deciding on things if I really want to do something. Let's say I am really hungry but I'll walk round and round searching for a shop to buy food. I realise I have a hard time deciding things if I don't usually do it. If I usually eat at the same canteen for lunch everyday, I wouldn't have problems deciding which store to buy from, but the moment I'm overwhelmed with unfamiliar choices in a new canteen, I just can't decide what to do.

I guess the only kind of "impulses" I can think of going with is allowing myself to be unhappy, even to the extent of depressed over minor things, and then I start hating myself and that feeling sucks. :(

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Originally Posted by Carrot

One month challenge on bran flakes for breakfast every morning and no vegetables together? :lol:

I need some explanation on Ego, Superego and ID. I've seen them and read a little about them before but I'm not too sure about it too. I don't usually go with my impulses, instead I'll have a hard time deciding on things if I really want to do something. Let's say I am really hungry but I'll walk round and round searching for a shop to buy food. I realise I have a hard time deciding things if I don't usually do it. If I usually eat at the same canteen for lunch everyday, I wouldn't have problems deciding which store to buy from, but the moment I'm overwhelmed with unfamiliar choices in a new canteen, I just can't decide what to do.

I guess the only kind of "impulses" I can think of going with is allowing myself to be unhappy, even to the extent of depressed over minor things, and then I start hating myself and that feeling sucks. :(

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Haha, if that's going to be challenging, then yeah.

Well, they don't 'exist', but they're a way of conceptualising your decisions into three experiences: [1] your basic desires, e.g., sex, warmth, food, addictions etc (ID), [2] what you think you are when you refer to conscious self (Ego), and [3] your conscience or exalted ego, righteous action, morality, 'God' (SuperEgo). That's an oversimplification, but that's about all that's useful when categorising your experience really - it just makes it easier to determine what you have to work on.

I'll get ideas of things I think are great, and get all impulsive about them....but then never continue with 'em lol. The amount of things I've began and ended is ridiculous. I think I just like beginning things.

Ah yes, yours would be quite the opposite then, compulsions right? I have flashes of impulse, but no sustained activity. Whilst compulsions are usually just that: sustained activities.

How about polyphasic sleeping? I might try that one during the vacations myself.

I've undertook that, and so far I've just got massive dark circles under my eyes lol.

It seems weird but my watch seems to be a source of comfort for me. I wonder how will it be like if I start a one month challenge without my watch. :?

Whacky - I think you should combine that with an additional challenge to never be on time.

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Originally Posted by Wolfwood

Whacky - I think you should combine that with an additional challenge to never be on time.

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But I'm always never on time. :P

lol, then try I should've said: try to be on time for a month, without your watch.

no internet, tv or music
none of you can do this for a month.

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Originally Posted by Carrot

I want to try no phone and computer for one month!!! :mwahaha:

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That sounds like HELLL D: I wouldn't be able to live without my phone and wouldn't be able to live without my computer. Work on my computer, and life on my phone. I use my phone for helping me not get lost because I'm always going to new and scary places. How would you be able to surviveee x-x

Meditate in a different place every day for a month. Different places around your house, yard, city, and even dimensions :} There's a ton of stuff you could do :o

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Originally Posted by greenhavoc

no internet, tv or music
none of you can do this for a month.

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Don't make me try. :P

I'm getting sick of technology already. But I still need my internet now because I'm finding jobs.

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Originally Posted by sefalik

I'd like to do that. But unfortunately, I think all the public phones have been ripped out. :(

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It's a good job that did'nt happen in the Matrix film(s) - LOL.
Could you imagine Neo, Trinity, or Morpheus running around like a bunch of jack-rabbits trying to escape Agent Smith and his mates whilst trying to find a payphone that hadn't been vandalized.

WHO SAYS DREAMS MIMIC REALITY! :popcorn:

After a long delay, I've figured out what I want to do. One month challenge on bathing latest by 10pm. I have skin allergies since I was young and being dirtier and lazier doesn't help. If I happen to be out after 10pm, then I shall bathe the moment I'm back home no matter how tired or hungry I am. Challenge starts on 19th April 2012.

Spend a whole month eating nothing but deep fried twinkies

I tried quite the opposite for two weeks, and noticed considerable increases in my awareness and mental acuity. I was to only eat fresh food - no cooking, 'cept boiling vegetables. Raw fish, legumes, fruit, veg etc.

Much success to you, Carrot!!
I have been failing my goals miserably. BUT, tomorrow's a new day :)

My improved goals:
Walk for at least 20 minutes every day (if it's raining etc, do jumping jacks or something as a replacement).
Quit smoking
Attend BOTH of the Congregation meetings starting Sunday.

Good luck on quitting smoking!!!

I'm most probably going to keep my headphones away for a month. I know that sounds stupid but my urge to blast music because of my OCD is driving me nuts.

Thanks :)

I'm checking in. I accomplished my walk for the day. I took 3 laps around the field, brought the trash cans up from the road, brought the last of the laundry inside and I was surprised to find almost an hour had passed.
I am very pleased with myself :)
And if I have the money, I might just walk to Exxon to get my boy a pack of smokes.

write down every thought you have for one month.

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Originally Posted by greenhavoc

no internet, tv or music
none of you can do this for a month.

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No TV is easy, I don't have a TV :)
No internet would be manageble
No phone would also be no problem
No music would kill me, I can't do without music

I'm still doing very well on my goal not to hold myself to any commitments. We'll have to wait and see though.

^ lol, I'm a master at this.

Ugh, I wish I could go a month without my phone. I'm sick of people always calling me.

Anyway, I'll think of something. I already like some of these ideas.

:banana: I just googled "how many steps in a mile" and I was surprised to see how well I've been doing with walking.
I've walked 7309 steps from just doing laundry and hanging it up outside. 10,000 steps = 5 miles :eek:
I am VERY pleased with myself.
I have one more load to hang up and I still have the dogs to walk this evening. As long as I can keep this pace up I'll be happy :)

**EDIT**
link: http://www.thewalkingsite.com/10000steps.html

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Originally Posted by Zhaylin

I've walked 7309 steps from just doing laundry and hanging it up outside. 10,000 steps = 5 miles :eek:

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I can't believe you actually count your steps, Zhaylin. :shock:

The only time I did that was in a game...

No internet.

I have a watch that counts them for me :)

Improve my visualisation control and clarity, entertain my daydreams, and attempt to stay conscious during that state between awake and asleep.

I reckon I'll last a day trying this.

Not jerking off is counter innuitive and does not teach you true self control. I suggest writing up an extremely philisophical piece everyday encompassing all your ideas. Doing this you will be more content in life, all I can say is write the truth and you will realise that you have just written the rules you live by, its starts off challenging but becomes an addiction becuase it clarifies your life for you

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Originally Posted by sefalik

Easy! Seriously, if you don't drink soda for a month you'll never want to drink it again. I used to love soda. Then for no real reason, I just stopped drinking it for a few weeks (I think I just forgot about it or something?).

I can't stand soda now. Makes me feel like crap, tastes like crap, is crap, crap.

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This is EXACTLY how I feel about pop now. We ran out of pop, so I stopped drinking it for as long as we were out. And now I can't stand it. It's like drinking cough syrup now.

I'm not complaining, though!

In relation to the thread, I actually took April off of Facebook (I used to use facebook very often, a couple times a day. After the first couple days I forgot I was even taking a break from Facebook. Now it just seems silly.)

Working out... somehow...