“The Essentials” reduces energy consumption, cranks your flywheel, generates energy, calm, and flow. I first wrote this list in March 2022, but in practice, the actions it contains are much older than that. These are things I do when I need to get going. I decided that I better write down the things I do, so that I have a short list of actions to refer to if I have to get up from a cold start.
Life can be extremely demanding, and that demand for energy depletes your power supply. The same thing happens in all of nature. Take the kinetic energy out of a river, it stagnates and becomes a pond, maybe a swamp. You’re not surprised when your phone battery dies; you simply accept it’s out of energy and needs more. You expel energy every day and get tired, sometimes you feel tired all the time. When that happens, there are two choices: either consume less energy with your physical and mental activities or add more energy. There’s a limit to adding power. You can add a ton more short-term power and live like an athlete, but that’s not sustainable. It’s easier to begin the conservation of power by controlling your consumption of power. The place to start is controlling your mental consumption of energy. A joule of energy used by your runaway mind is the same as a joule of energy it takes to fulfill your purpose.
On your Ass
When you’re down on your ass, it’s not the best time to try to invent possible ways to get up. You have to have a system that:
A) Gets you out of holes when you fall in.
B) Keeps you out of holes when you’re out.
This system is my backstop, something to turn to in times of need. In March 2022, I made a list that read something like; Drink extra water, Swim (Because I was swimming at the time), Use the Sauna (Because there was one at the pool), Breath. I pinned the note these to the top of my Notes App so that I could see and practice these simple things that had served me well. I named it “The Essentials“. the purpose of this ist ist that it’s a lightweight, minimum effective dose, low effort, method of getting off my ass.
The next update to the list was on Thursday 4th January 2023 13:05, (I can be disastrous or meticulous at notes) at that point I added the meditation resources. I had used all of them all at some point so I added links to them all so that I didn’t have to go looking for them every time. All of this of course saves energy the next time.
The Essentials.
Hydrate, Activate, Lubricate, Meditate.
The HALM acronym is just to make it easier to remember.
But it’s just as easy to practice. In a bit more Detail…
Hydrate: Drink Water
As simple as that, drink more water. End.
Activate: Swim / Walk / Alignment
Move. Daily. The key to getting off my Ass metaphorically is getting off my Ass physically. No marathons necessary.
Lubricate: Coconut oil / Olive oil / Sauna
In the same way that the oil stops a creaky door hinge by reducing friction… the same is true for muscles and joints. Coconut oil in tea or coffee, Olive oil on food, a sauna seems to help my onboard oils.
Meditate: Breathing / Sitting / Walking / TM
Before running away, let me demystify meditation! Start breathing (see already an expert) Pay attention to the breath. Why? Because it’s always there, it’s just something consistent to focus on nothing more than that. Repeat.
That’s all.
My purpose is not to spend time meditating, going to the gym, drinking water, and sweating buckets in a sauna, so I don’t spend a lot of time doing it. These are just things to do to service the human machine and control its energy. My prupose is documented here.
Some things I’ve learned:
One, all, or combinations of HALM work fine at any time.
No you don’t need to learn to swim.
This system is the protein bar, a snack to get going.
It’s not perfect, but it’s easy.
The key is that you are at least doing something.
It doesn’t matter for how long, there’s no schedule.
If you want to, then try it for 10 days and then you’ll know if it’s for you.
Did I mention there’s no time schedule.
Do some of these until it works for you. Or don’t : )
Drinking water is magical.
It’s impossible to start a Keto diet and sustain it when you’re on your ass.
Your willpower will run out.
I don’t recommend you do any of this; this is just what I do and it seems to work for me.
Resources.
Here’s some of the meditation resources I keep bookmarked. These are not mine.
At some point in the future, at another iteration of the essentials, I may provide my own meditations.
Meditation:
Start here.
A short 10-minute guided TM good at any time. Lie down / sit / walk / stand
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1oCJ1MIjEF4
Mindfulness meditation.
I Do this at least every 6 months, Or as often as necessary. You can walk or sit.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PNfPKPeSOl0
Walking meditation.
I’ve tried this a few times, it’s an interesting twist for when you need to change it up.
https://www.mindful.org/walking-meditation/
Activation:
No pool or track? Here’s some on-the-spot Alignment I’ve done in my bedroom and shed. I like to have fun here and pretend I’m Michael Johnson cornering the track at 30Kmph.
Run on the spot – like a 200-meter sprinter with your hands moving up and down handles like blades cutting the air.
Right focus – Right foot forward left back, focus mind on the right leg muscles
Left focus – Opposite to the right
Cornering – Bank your body, lean into your R/L as if you are running full tilt into left and right corners, focusing as above.
Breathing – Don’t forget to breathe, take in deep breaths.
Energy centering – As you feel your heart beat bring your concentration and energy into your center, feel the energy you’re Activating.
Breath catching – Begin to stop, give your body plenty of breaths and reward it by catching your breath. Hands on hips.
Movement – Shake out, relax the muscles. Neck, shoulders, legs, arms.
Stopping – get your body ready to stop.
Relaxing – Relax the muscles they’ve worled hard.
Enjoy. You won. 200metres in your bedroom.
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