Siddarth Shukla

The Battle with Comfort and Habits

Introduction

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my lifestyle, particularly my health. I’ve realized that I need to start setting up discipline, not just to improve but to master my health for the long term. I want to start slow, take one habit at a time, make one promise to myself that I will fulfill no matter what. For me, the beginning of this journey is fixing my sleep routine. I want to concretize this habit and make it the foundation for other positive changes in my life.

In this blog, I’m taking a hard look at my habits—the good, the bad, and the comfortable. I’m diving into different areas like food, exercise, and even socializing to figure out where I need to cut back or change.

Conquering Sleep: The Foundation of Discipline

The journey of self-mastery begins with sleep. For the next 21 days, I’m committing to a strict sleep routine: bed by 9:30 pm and up by 5:30 am. This is more than just a sleep schedule; it’s a practice of self-discipline. Sleep has inertia—either it sets you up for a successful day or pulls you back into comfort and procrastination. Waking up consistently builds a momentum of wins, and if I fail to do that, it ripples into the rest of my day.

To make this habit stick, I’ll go to bed with my phone away and my eyes closed, resisting the urge to scroll or worry about falling asleep. This 21-day discipline is not just about conquering sleep; it’s about setting a foundation for my entire day.

The Importance of Consistent Sleep

Getting up before 5:30 am is non-negotiable. By fixing my sleep schedule, I start to develop a baseline discipline that will positively impact the rest of my health habits. This is the anchor that will help me confront the habits and desires that have been holding me back in other areas of my life.

Health: Beyond Sleep – Food, Exercise, and Mindset

Once my sleep routine is under control, it’s time to tackle my daytime habits. Each morning, I’ll reflect on how my actions align with my goals, starting with food and exercise.

Discipline with Food: Meal Prep and Proactivity

Food is where the battle really begins. I’ve come to understand that being proactive is the key to eating right. This means meal prepping and planning ahead so that I don’t give in to quick fixes and junk food. When I don’t prepare my meals, hunger gets the best of me, and I end up eating out. It’s a pattern I need to break.

I know I can eat the same foods repeatedly without feeling bored, which makes meal prepping easier for me. My problem is not the monotony but the lack of preparation. I need to build the habit of meal prepping, creating balanced meals that align with my health goals. For the next 21 days, I’ll focus on this habit: planning my meals, preparing them, and sticking to what I’ve set out for the day. I will also document where I mess up to hold myself accountable and improve.

Setting a Workout Routine: Consistency Over Intensity

When it comes to working out, the key is consistency, not intensity. It’s about creating a routine that I can stick to daily, rather than burning myself out with intense sessions. I find that working out around 1:30 pm suits me well. It’s when the gym is relatively empty, and I actually look forward to going at that time. Although I’ll have to work my appointments and other commitments around this slot, I think it’s worth it to maintain consistency.

Building this habit will require discipline, especially on days when I don’t feel like moving. The trick is to start slow and let consistency build the habit. Once it’s a natural part of my routine, I can gradually increase the intensity. For now, it’s about showing up, not pushing myself to the limit.

Mental Health: Meditation and Reflection

Meditation is another vital aspect of my health. I’ve been practicing meditation on and off for over ten years, and the difference it makes is undeniable. With my goal of waking up before 5:30 am, I can see that maintaining a meditation streak will become easier. It calms my subconscious and sharpens my focus. On days when I meditate for 20 to 40 minutes in the morning, my family can notice a shift in my mood and energy.

Keeping a clean diet, exercising, maintaining clear communication with my family, and meditating all contribute to my mental well-being. Bonding events, like walking with my wife and dog, further aid in emotional peace. When I invest in these small but meaningful practices, my mental health stays in check.

Investigating the Comfort Zones

Now that I’m committing to a disciplined sleep and health routine, it’s time to investigate my comfort zones in other aspects of my life. In my career, I’ve grown attached to the ease of my job. It’s comfortable, has great benefits, and offers a stable income, but it doesn’t challenge me. The flexibility of working from home gave me the space to explore Bitcoin, listen to podcasts, and reflect on life—but now I see the need to push myself beyond this comfort.

I love certain habits that offer comfort and bonding, like grabbing coffee and croissants with my wife, having dinners with friends on weekends, or eating the delicious food my mom makes. I enjoy smoking weed, hiking, and then indulging in eating out. While these habits bring joy and connection, they also pull me away from my health goals. Balance is the key, and it can only be achieved through conscious decisions about which habits to keep and which to change.

Creating Healthy Boundaries with Food and Social Habits

The internal battle is real: choosing between indulgence and discipline. My food habits, social outings, and comfort cravings are all deeply ingrained. I need to start setting boundaries. This doesn’t mean completely cutting out the things I love, but it does mean prioritizing my health over temporary pleasures. I can still bond with my wife, but maybe without the croissants this time.

Usually, we go out for dinners and sometimes for breakfast and lunch as well. To bring more structure, I will automate breakfast and lunch through meal prepping. Dinner will remain flexible since my wife usually prepares it, and sometimes we meet friends. For example, this Friday, friends are coming over for dinner, and on Saturday, we’re going out for dinner, with no plans for Sunday yet. Breakfast and lunch need to be my focus for consistency.

Final Thoughts: Confronting My Attachments

As I take this journey, I see the many attachments and desires I have that pull me away from my goals. Whether it’s the craving for rich foods, the habit of skipping workouts, or the ease of my job, these attachments are my obstacles. With patience and self-reflection, I see what needs to change.

Today is Day 1 of my 21-day challenge. I woke up at 5:22 am, meditated from 5:30 to 6:00 am, and wrote this blog from 6:00 am to 8:00 am. Each morning, I’ll reflect on my actions, my cravings, and my attachments, slowly but steadily confronting the habits that hold me back. This is my journey to conquer my health, one disciplined day at a time.

Conclusion

This journey isn’t about achieving perfection but about committing to the process of self-mastery. I’m setting the foundation for better habits by fixing my sleep and establishing a daily routine that disciplines my senses. By examining my comfort zones and habits in areas like food, exercise, and social activities, I’m working toward a healthier, stronger version of myself. It’s not about deprivation; it’s about aligning my actions with my goals. The internal battle is on, and I’m ready to face it.