absolutely loved this! my self-optimization phases have ironically produced some of what i would consider to be my most harmful "vices" - incessant self-criticism, withdrawal from social life, self-absorption, etc etc. also! the pipeline from religious upbringing to hyper-optimal routines is very, very real. thank you for another thought-provoking essay!
Ugh, yes, that religion-to-hustle-culture pipeline! Old habits die hard. They might reappear wearing a different mask, but when I every time I yank it off, it's the same fundamentalism underneath. I think I'm getting quicker at identifying it at least?
Emphatic +1 to this list of vices masquerading as virtues too.
Beautifully written!!! I’ve had the most “vices” summer I’ve had in years (ever?) and was feeling guilty for it. Why? I fucking *love* the joy of living, experiencing, being. A “virtuous” life devoid of pleasure is a terrible way to live. Here’s to living the life that light us up. 🖤✨💃
Came out of my inbox into the app so I could say how deeply this resonated! As someone who also had a brief obsession with Huberman and is locked in a lifelong battle with the myth of perfection being just around the bend, it was a true joy to read and know I'm not alone. Amazing work—thank you for sharing!
Oh thank god, another Huberman defector. Dangerous stuff for perfectionists like us! Hope you enjoy a totally unoptimized summer of pleasure and vice. ❤️🔥
Great essay, Lane! I had a teacher in high school who used to say, "Everything in moderation –– even moderation." I didn't really understand at the time, but once I'd spiraled into trying to be the perfect vegan and realized how much psychological harm that caused me, I had to loosen my grip a bit and that made a huge difference. (Of course, this is not the case for people with real substance abuse issues, but if that's not what you're dealing with, there's probably no need to treat it as such.)
One of the only Bible verses that I find actually helpful is, "For everything, there is a season." Probably because it's so Pagan, haha. I'm sure your season of optimization served you for that time, and I'm glad you were able to let go of the things that no longer served you while retaining the valuable lessons you learned. Most elderly people don't wish they'd counted their macros more in their 30s. ;)
I’ve been so full of self-criticism lately. This piece really helped peel a layer off that. Trying to reframe this messy period of life I’m in. Thank you for writing this!
absolutely loved this! my self-optimization phases have ironically produced some of what i would consider to be my most harmful "vices" - incessant self-criticism, withdrawal from social life, self-absorption, etc etc. also! the pipeline from religious upbringing to hyper-optimal routines is very, very real. thank you for another thought-provoking essay!
Ugh, yes, that religion-to-hustle-culture pipeline! Old habits die hard. They might reappear wearing a different mask, but when I every time I yank it off, it's the same fundamentalism underneath. I think I'm getting quicker at identifying it at least?
Emphatic +1 to this list of vices masquerading as virtues too.
Thanks for reading, Gabby!
Beautifully written!!! I’ve had the most “vices” summer I’ve had in years (ever?) and was feeling guilty for it. Why? I fucking *love* the joy of living, experiencing, being. A “virtuous” life devoid of pleasure is a terrible way to live. Here’s to living the life that light us up. 🖤✨💃
Yes yes yes
🚬❤️
Came out of my inbox into the app so I could say how deeply this resonated! As someone who also had a brief obsession with Huberman and is locked in a lifelong battle with the myth of perfection being just around the bend, it was a true joy to read and know I'm not alone. Amazing work—thank you for sharing!
Oh thank god, another Huberman defector. Dangerous stuff for perfectionists like us! Hope you enjoy a totally unoptimized summer of pleasure and vice. ❤️🔥
Ooo “Spiritual vices were defined not by the act itself, but by what it betrayed.”
I love this framework, and the essay as a whole. I believe I’ll be coming back to this one again and again.
the pleasure permission we didn’t know we needed. ❤️
So, so timely and reassuring, thank you for this one, Lane 💛
Thank you, Jeannie! 💋
Great essay, Lane! I had a teacher in high school who used to say, "Everything in moderation –– even moderation." I didn't really understand at the time, but once I'd spiraled into trying to be the perfect vegan and realized how much psychological harm that caused me, I had to loosen my grip a bit and that made a huge difference. (Of course, this is not the case for people with real substance abuse issues, but if that's not what you're dealing with, there's probably no need to treat it as such.)
One of the only Bible verses that I find actually helpful is, "For everything, there is a season." Probably because it's so Pagan, haha. I'm sure your season of optimization served you for that time, and I'm glad you were able to let go of the things that no longer served you while retaining the valuable lessons you learned. Most elderly people don't wish they'd counted their macros more in their 30s. ;)
I’ve been so full of self-criticism lately. This piece really helped peel a layer off that. Trying to reframe this messy period of life I’m in. Thank you for writing this!