I’m writing this in the spirit of listening to my own advice. See, I have kind of a New Year’s resolution to write at least once a week. I missed one already, but as I said, it is important to pick it up from where we left off. So here it goes.
I have been thinking, analyzing what I feel and why I feel it, lately. Maybe even too much thinking on this. One thing that came up regularly is the idea of dopamine addiction and dopamine detox. I have been struggling to focus on and spend time on activities that are meaningful for me. Things that get me closer to the goals I have in my life. Things that are cornerstones of the life I want to live.
While there can be many reasons for this happening, it seems a lot of times I just tend towards activities that are “easy” dopamine sources. Like playing games, watching YouTube or serials, drinking alcohol. These make it even harder to switch to activities that might not provide such instant and intense dopamine boosts.
Also, my girlfriend said something quite a while back, that struck a cord in me. She said that how much our lives have shifted towards the online space. Like the main focus of what is happening around us, what do we do on a daily basis is happening on the internet. Ever since she said this, this notion has been in the back of my mind. Nagging me, living in there. Now I kind of realize that over the last few years the focus in my day to day life has shifted there. Every day there is something that I check, read or watch online. And it isn’t only about checking social media. It can be anything. My mind feels like is in the clouds.
I suppose this can be attributed to the covid lockdowns, working from home ever since then, and in general, the world has shifted its focus to the online. So even more and more things are available there.
Don’t get me wrong, I love that so much can be read, watched, enjoyed through the internet. It is one of the greatest inventions, it has opened so many doors. Still, it might have taken up too much focus in my own life. To the point that the physical, visceral parts of my day to day have been neglected.
I believe these two, the dopamine addiction and increased focus on the online, are connected on some level in the way that they affect my struggles to focus on the important things. Like just in the way of enabling the easy dopamine.
The concept of dopamine addiction is a bit fishy for me. There are just too many adverts for self help apps and trends on Reels talking about this, that it just seem a bit sus. I’m not saying this is complete BS, there is obviously something to it, but I want to look into this more. To be a bit more informed and scientific.
I will do some research, try to find some reviewed, confirmed literature on this. Also I might write a piece on my findings, but no promises just yet.
So this is one thing that kept my mind occupied the las couple of weeks. For now, what I will try to do, is to limit the easy dopamine sources. Not sure why, or how, but it makes me feel better.
Until, next time. Take care.
Mátyás
