Trying to stay conscious all day, every day as much as possible (need ideas)

[XXXXXX]

I’m thinking of trying to be conscious all day, every day.

When I was 17-18, I started to meditate every day. The most hardcore thing I did was sitting for 4 hours perfectly still without moving, staring at a dot on the wall. The results I got from daily meditation were amazing. For example, when I was hanging out with people, I could tap in any time and feel bliss.

Now I’m at a point in my life where I could start focusing on that again, but the problem is that I don't have time to sit for 4 hours every day staring at a wall. So I started thinking of ideas on how to get those same benefits with active work and free time. The answer is to practice being conscious while doing things.

First, I tried eliminating literally all distractions (phone, anything) and focusing on my breath as much as I can. I switched my phone and work PC wallpaper to remind me about focusing on my breath. I had my Apple Watch vibrate every 10 minutes to remind me to focus on my breath. But now I want to try something else than focusing on my breath.

What could it be? I’m thinking of body awareness. Focusing on the whole body could be very hard, so maybe I should pick one spot? Buy a bracelet and focus on the sensation on my skin? Something else?

I would love to hear your thoughts on all this and maybe get ideas on what to do, also feel free to share your experience doing similar stuff. You can critique me harshly and ask hard questions, I have very thick skin. 

[Michal__]

Focus on what you're doing mindfully and observe your thoughts.

[Hojo]

Competitive gaming.

[XXXXXX]

1 hour ago, Michal__ said:

Focus on what you're doing mindfully and observe your thoughts.

@Michal__ Have you tried that? Sounds pretty hard to do that 24/7. What do you mean by "Focus on what you're doing mindfully", if I talk to somebody, how do I know if I did it mindfully or not?

[XXXXXX]

53 minutes ago, Hojo said:

Competitive gaming.

@Hojo Are you joking? Sorry idk you so I don't know if you are a troll or not.

[Michal__]

10 minutes ago, XXXXXX said:

@Michal__ Have you tried that? Sounds pretty hard to do that 24/7. What do you mean by "Focus on what you're doing mindfully", if I talk to somebody, how do I know if I did it mindfully or not?

Same way you know you're focusing on a meditation object while meditating.

Yes, I try to do it. For example while responding to you I focus on each tap of the letters on my phone screen.

If I'm not doing anything then I choose something like the breath.

When I go somewhere I focus on the soles of my feet.

Besides that I am meditating for two hours a day.

While writing my attention got lost in thoughts. Distinguishing that is mindfulness.

You can also stop during the day and focus on every little sound, sight,  feeling, touch etc. - spatial awareness. But general mindfulness is more important.

Edited 3 hours ago by Michal__

[Hojo]

@XXXXXX competitive gaming keeps you hyper focused, hyper aware, in flowstate. And you dont think about other stuff. You focus on whats happening at any given moment.

Edited 3 hours ago by Hojo

[XXXXXX]

@Michal__  Thank you for the ideas and inspiration, you made me realise that I should try that, instead of picking one thing to focus on.

[UnbornTao]

As in being mindful?

You could give occasional fasting a try - just do some research first, and maybe consult your doctor if you have a medical condition. Cold showers can also help.

Meditating for a while right after waking up can set the trajectory for your whole day. You can experiment with that if you want.

Body and breath awareness are important, too. A stretching routine could be useful here.

The same boring, basic stuff applies: cycling, journaling, going to the gym, playing a sport, reading a book. Anything that keeps you active and engaged, especially physically.

But beyond external techniques, I’d try to pin down what would allow you to stay mindful and sensitive throughout the day - in a realistic way. A focus on the body would be central to this, it seems. I don't think it's possible for anyone to be "on edge" all the time, so give yourself some space around that.

[XXXXXX]

@Hojo  I tried that, I found it extremely hard to be in a meditative state while playing videogames. Also It's like watching TikTok, I don't like highly stimulating addictive stuff, makes me less conscious, not more. Also video games as a career choice or hobby is boring af, the game of life is better.

[Xonas Pitfall]

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐࿐Your profile is so pretty ~ ~ ~ 😊༊·˚༗𓆰𓆪꧁⎝ 𓆩༺✧༻𓆪 ⎠꧂

⸙@XXXXXX

Edited 3 hours ago by Xonas Pitfall

[XXXXXX]

8 minutes ago, UnbornTao said:

As in being mindful?

You could give occasional fasting a try - just do some research first, and maybe consult your doctor if you have a medical condition. Cold showers can also help.

Meditating for a while right after waking up can set the trajectory for your whole day. You can experiment with that if you want.

Body and breath awareness are important, too. A stretching routine could be useful here.

The same boring, basic stuff applies: cycling, journaling, going to the gym, playing a sport, reading a book. Anything that keeps you active and engaged, especially physically.

@UnbornTao  Thank you! I will do these. First I will try morning meditation for every day momentum and maybe try 3 day fasts for macro momentum. That would make it easier to be more conscious/mindful during the day. 

14 minutes ago, UnbornTao said:

But beyond external techniques, I’d try to pin down what would allow you to stay mindful and sensitive throughout the day - in a realistic way. A focus on the body would be central to this, it seems. I don't think it's possible for anyone to be "on edge" all the time, so give yourself some space around that.

Thank you, I'll think about this.

[XXXXXX]

@Xonas Pitfall 🤍

[UnbornTao]

39 minutes ago, XXXXXX said:

@UnbornTao  Thank you! I will do these. First I will try morning meditation for every day momentum and maybe try 3 day fasts for macro momentum. That would make it easier to be more conscious/mindful during the day. 

Thank you, I'll think about this.

🫡

[Hojo]

@XXXXXXIts specifically competitive, if you arent competitive it dosent work. If you suck it dosent work.

No one said anything about it being a carrer choice, or hobby. You asked about things that will make you concious why are you adding more stuff to it?

You are saying you dont want to stare at a wall, stare at a video game that you are super focusing on.

Edited 56 minutes ago by Hojo

[Someone here]

3 hours ago, XXXXXX said:

Sounds pretty hard to do that 24/7. 

I Don't think That's healthy and just not doable as well . You obviously need to sleep . If you mean you gonna become too alert and anal about it even when you're laying in bed drifting in la la land ready to sleep then you might consider loosing it up with demonising thinking and wandering. Just meditation for an hour before bed and after waking up in the morning is enough .

Edited 14 minutes ago by Someone here

[James123]

5 hours ago, XXXXXX said:

I’m thinking of trying to be conscious all day, every day.

When I was 17-18, I started to meditate every day. The most hardcore thing I did was sitting for 4 hours perfectly still without moving, staring at a dot on the wall. The results I got from daily meditation were amazing. For example, when I was hanging out with people, I could tap in any time and feel bliss.

Now I’m at a point in my life where I could start focusing on that again, but the problem is that I don't have time to sit for 4 hours every day staring at a wall. So I started thinking of ideas on how to get those same benefits with active work and free time. The answer is to practice being conscious while doing things.

First, I tried eliminating literally all distractions (phone, anything) and focusing on my breath as much as I can. I switched my phone and work PC wallpaper to remind me about focusing on my breath. I had my Apple Watch vibrate every 10 minutes to remind me to focus on my breath. But now I want to try something else than focusing on my breath.

What could it be? I’m thinking of body awareness. Focusing on the whole body could be very hard, so maybe I should pick one spot? Buy a bracelet and focus on the sensation on my skin? Something else?

I would love to hear your thoughts on all this and maybe get ideas on what to do, also feel free to share your experience doing similar stuff. You can critique me harshly and ask hard questions, I have very thick skin. 

No idea works, let go all.