It would be cool if we had a self-improvement comm.
As leftists, we understand that a lot of individual problems are caused by systemic issues. However, I think that there is still a lot that can be done on the individual level to improve your life.
Most online self-improvement spaces have a reactionary slant and are dominated by the same type of guy, which is another great reason to have a self-improvement comm on this website.
EDIT: our awesome admins created the new comm and our awesome comrade @SeventyTwoTrillion@hexbear.net stepped up to moderate it, please check it out and start posting: https://hexbear.net/c/self_improvement
Are there any improovers here? What would you like to improve in 2024? Would you like to have a comm where we can hang out? 
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It’s already over if you’re gonna use 4chan slang and memes
I philosophically disagree with self improvement as a mindset, this idea that you’re supposed to change yourself to be better. I don’t think that’s how anything worse, you adapt your circumstances so you are inclined to do what you want to do instead
Self-improvement implies an inherent dissatisfaction with oneself, a fundamental and cosmic insecurity which one attempts to overcome through superficial changes in routine or habit. It would be hypocritical for me to suggest people simply kick that attitude away, though, especially because it’s obviously instilled through years of social interactions and attitudes that enforce it; Not some sort of personal attribute
Self-improvement implies an inherent dissatisfaction with oneself
I would view it more as an admission that your current habits and behaviors do not correlate 100% with desired outcomes.
The idea of self-improvement is highly subjective and unique to the individual. You get to decide what is important to you and what you are willing to sacrifice. If you don’t think you need it, that’s great!
There is a lot bullshit in self help, but reflecting on your behaviors and their outcomes is a core aspect of the most clinically tested mental health exercises.
Yeah, for that to properly work you have to viciously attack and disentangle why you want what you want, how toxic norms and the productive mode of capitalism influences what you have been told is good or bad behavior.
There’s a reason why self-improvement spaces are made up of exactly one type of guy: It’s all people struggling to meet up to the expectations instilled in them of exactly one type of successful person.
This is why I despise the term self-improvement. It implies improving oneself towards some sort of better norm. But what is better, in this case? Being happier? Sure, most people want to be happier, but part of life is feeling sad, and trying to will yourself happier, rather than changing the conditions that made you sad in the first place, is a recipe for disaster.
But that’s probably the most reasonable thing people “improve” towards. For most, I’d bet money that self-improvement is about becoming more of a “Gigachad”, becoming more attractive, becoming more productive, or emotionally castrating yourself so things don’t get to you as much. Not because they think those things will make them happier, but because that’s what success and improvement is to them. And, to be honest, what improvement is to most people.
Now, don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean changing your habits or behaviors is some sort of impossible or inherently wrong activity, just that it should be done for a purpose someone arrives to while having the context for all of these things, and that’s my problem with the term self-improvement: It implies you’re improving yourself towards some objective goal, rather than just doing stuff that accomplishes the goals you have.
I would suggest a term like “revolutionary behavior” to reflect the sort of DBT-communist merge that I think both you and I are sort of reaching towards
I would like to improove. Gonna brainstorm some stuff
If a comm does not get approved, maybe a weekly mega on /c/chat or something?
Hell yeah, is there something specific you would like to improve? I hope we can get a comm but a weekly/monthly megathread is a great plan B
I think my main goals are trying to get consistent with exercise and crack down on my sugar addiction.
I just remembered that there is a subreddit called https://www.reddit.com/r/sugarfree/
As we all know, reddit is trash but the niche subs like this can sometimes have a lot of useful info
Oh awesome, thanks!
I do miss when reddit was focused on making those types of subs as there were some really great guides and info posts people put together that are sadly aging.
Those are good ass goals, I wish you the best of luck!
I would also like to exercise consistently, more specifically go running at least once per week and do a bodyweight exercise routine at least once per week.
Thanks, same to you!
In case you need a base to work off of, the Couch To 5k program for running is free and pretty reasonable for beginners
Thanks for the advice! I agree about C5k, it’s a good program and that’s how I started running. I’m still using it as a base when going for a run.
Hi, I am trying to kick my videogames addiction
I did that by becoming a game dev lol
how fast did you learn to code? Did you go to uni for it?
2 years in generalist game dev studies, a bit of everything, 2D & 3D art, programing in C# with unity as a game engine, small game proyects, so many programs for everything etc.
I didnt find it difficult, but Ive always been a computer nerd so idk
I still dont know how to properly program stuff as thats not really my expersite, I mean that I know how to get things done but im sure its not very eficient.
Then another year of a master in 3D art (no programing here), now I can do some shit like this.
Whelp, I spent years trying to learn arabic in a not really useful environment til I threw a sizeable amount of money at a specialized course and it works now. I could try art now that I have time to do other things, but it might be too close to g’ming and reactivate the addiction clusters, idk
In case it helps you, I found it the opposite, now that I have more knowledge about how games are made, I see so many of them as just pure repetitive consumerist trash, so I only end up playing the really good ones that really get my attention, and overall spend much less time playing.
Oh, my friend just picked up a drawing tablet, seems like I will spend my evenings like that
I’d like to improve almost everything but I get paralyzed and disheartened when I realize how far behind I am at my age. Maybe a comm would be cool though.
In general, unless you’re talking about something physical like learning a sport, you’ll pick up things faster relative to people who are learning it at the socially appropriate age because you’ll have more life experience and better time management skills.
and better time management skills.
good joke
I often find myself playing video games when I could be reading, even though I know I’d enjoy reading more, at least in the long term. Gonna try to change the habit.
It’s the same for me but with doomscrolling random garbage on the internet. I’m honestly so tired of this BS but no matter how much I try to motivate myself, I just seemingly can’t do other productive things that I want/have to. It’s really disheartening, not gonna lie
I have a yearlong membership to a music learning program and I will practice [the instrument I play] every day. Even if it’s only 5 minutes I will not go a day without touching it unless I’m traveling.
Also I have to exercise more, I’m at the age where I can’t afford not to be fit. 2x a week minimum but 4x would be ideal.
Those are great goals, I would also like to practice more (I play guitar and drums) and exercise regularly. We can do this!
I hope I can finally pull my studying together systematically.
You can do it chief
Check out the Pomodoro method if you haven’t already. I used it in college and it really helped me.
Oh! My mom told me about this but I never really paid attention, I’ll have to reconsider my stance.
