Fasting as a general practice

[igthebold]

So I imagine I'm entering stoic territory here, but it occurs to me that fasting is very useful as a general practice. October is our first "buy almost nothing" month (a fast from buying), and it's proving to be very helpful. Sure, it's helpful as a decision-making tool, but I'm also finding it's strengthening my "you don't need this" muscles.

In other words, strengthening the self-discipline muscles extends beyond eating and buying.

Ideas for things to fast from:

• Food
• Internet in general
• Online communities specifically
• Caffeine and alcohol
• TV/entertainment
• Buying things
• Car usage

I bet as an interesting meta-exercise, it would be a good idea to list the things you thoughtlessly gravitate toward if you have an evening at home. Maybe even the things you look forward to (in some cases). Then see if you'd benefit by fasting.

In my case, I gravitate toward certain discretionary projects, online communities (like this one), and alcohol in the evening. I bet I would benefit from a week off of online communities (sorry guys), an evening off of projects, replaced by very focused one-on-one time with my kids, and a month off of alcohol.

[inthebiz]

you should check out the blog BecomingMinimalist. Changed the way I viewed consumption from a more philosophical standpoint.

[Erica/NWEdible]

Absolutely! We do periodic No Spend Months (hosting one now on my blog actually) and they are invaluable for re-setting what my husband calls "The Treat Cycle" ie, the tendency of consumption to spiral up as you no longer feel rewarded for a "small thing" and have to move on to ever larger things. I believe MMM calls this hedonistic adaptation. No Spend resets your expectations. I do half-ass occasional interval fasts too (18 hour type things), and agree that the concept of fasting from various things has wide-ranging benefits.

[121 Seconds]

Well, you have me convinced.

      I am going to fast from posting on online forums.

I will not write another thing until sometime after my next meal...

[Bakari]

I had this EXACT IDEA after my girlfriend and I did our initial 7 day internet fast.

My list had all the same things too (plus sex, lights, telephone).  I was thinking of rotating them, 7 days each.

She thought it would feel to much like deprivation to do them all consecutively, and always be holding off of something, so we were going to not do them consecutively, but then I forgot about the idea entirely until I noticed your post here