Constant Curiosity | #20

Home, Reading & Conciousness

Greetings!

Things are warming up here in Minnesota for the time being, and I’ve been enjoying some much sunnier walks.

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🏠 Home

For the first time in my life, I own my own home.

Strangely, this wasn’t in my plans at all for this stage of my life. My plan had been to be a digital nomad traveling from country to country enjoying the freedom of remote work.

Yet COVID-19 has prevented this possibility.

As a result, I’ve decided to “hunker down” and create the most comfortable home environment possible.

Specifically, I’ve made investments that help me live a healthier lifestyle.

For instance:

• I’ve installed a 5-person sauna in my garage which I use nightly. Sauna use has been correlated with a longer lifespan

• I’ve purchased an 8-Sleep cooling mattress cover, which precisely controls the temp of my mattress throughout the night for optimal sleeping conditions

• I’ve installed smart lights throughout the house that change color and brightness throughout the day to better re-enforce a positive circadian rhythm

While some of these products are expensive, I’ve long since decided that it’s most important for me to spend my resources on things that maximize my health and lifespan. So far, these products are working great, and have contributed to a wonderful daily routine.

I’ve also been able to create my ideal office setup, complete with an ergonomic chair and standing desk.

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📚 Reading broadly

My reading habits are a bit unusual. I’m typically reading anywhere from 10-20 books at a time. I read a mix of Kindle, physical, and audiobooks.

This style of reading allows me to seamlessly switch between books if I ever grow bored with what I’m currently reading.

However, the main benefit of this tactic is that I get to continuously draw connections between books and topics that seemingly have nothing in common.

For example, I’m currently reading Aesop’s Fables. It’s shocking how many non-fiction books reference these stories, often without reference. I had just read the fable of there Ant and the Grasshopper, only to see it continuously referenced throughout the excellent book Die with Zero.

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👤 The body as a vehicle for consciousness

I had a strange shower thought last night: My body is the way my consciousness interacts with reality.

Our bodies are these incredible, temporary vehicles that our consciousness inhabits.

When our bodies suffer, our clarity of thought and focus does as well. When our bodies die, presumably, so does our consciousness.

Going forward, I’ll try and remember to treat my body as the gift it is, and always give it the utmost care and respect it deserves.

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Thanks for reading and talk to you next time.

Best,

Isaac