Beginning My Monk-Mode
The year started off exciting! My energy didn’t shoot through the roof like fireworks in a parade yet I still loved the calm I felt in my body and with my emotions. Like the sight of a new sun rolling over tired night skies — I felt a refreshing beam for the new year.
There was no special event. Just the grateful yet climatic spirit that possesses most of us when we cross the bridge of an old calendar year into a new one. With the new year I resolved to get on with a number of things I had cowardly put away. Effectively with my body, spirit and mind.
I started with the simple things — a book chapter a day, cardio, no-sugar diet. It felt fantastic. I felt fantastic. The new year seemed to begin as perfect as my imagination as drawn out.
Unsurprisingly, all of it lasted ten days!
By the eleventh day, I decided to indulge myself. An addict to idleness and lazy thoughts, I decided to have a strong dose of the addiction I sought refuge from with my resolutions.
I failed myself. I slipped again!
The following days would only degenerate into patterns of behavior I had solemnly promised myself to be free of.
I felt terrible. Sick of my reflection in the eyes of my own mind. But I still wanted everything to do with myself. I accepted the hole in my boat and decided to return back to shore before I travel far into the oceans of my error.
Of course, I never expected to have a perfect run — but I was willing to run. Still willing to run. And with a few solemn moments with my thoughts, examining the script I let myself play, I decided I needed to rebuild my character and serendipity led me to finding “Monk Mode”.
I will not claim to completely understand the concept, as I am not the creator of this philosophy. I will only credit it to the author I first learnt about it from Iman Gadzhi.
Monk-Mode as I have let myself understand it; is a five (5) block daily ritual that focuses on building character and removing dependency. The author Gadzhi outlined three non-negotiables (to which you can add two more specifics tailored to your reality)
- Daily meditation for ten (10) minutes to resolve thoughts, restore calmness and allow yourself present in the moment.
- Thirty (30) minutes of daily exercise and
- No alcohol or weed.
The third non-negotiable is not a vice that seduces me, so I replaced it with not having carbonated drinks instead. While adding:
4. Daily journal of my thoughts and emotions and lastly
5. One (1) hour of daily reading.
The coming weeks promise to show me colors that would be exciting. Even so, I am aware I will experience temptations that will seek to break my commitment — false starts! Should I fall for them.
Will something profound happen within the twenty-one (21) days I desire to devote to this ritual? Perhaps so. Perhaps not.
I am only willing to dedicate myself to sharpening my will and begin a routine that on the surface gifts me beautiful benefits to my body, mind and spirit. And should I find a miracle? I will share it with you.
The year still stretched out with a fine length of time. Time to try, learn, un-learn, relearn and ultimately — do.
Until again, be safe.
— Williams Falodun.
