Chapter 1: Acknowledging the Anxiety

A few years back, I became aware of a growing anxiety that seemed to creep into my mornings. I found myself feeling irritable and dissatisfied, which severely impacted my overall well-being and productivity. My tolerance for coworkers and even acquaintances diminished. Despite considering myself self-aware, I began to question my state of mind:

What is happening to me?

As I ventured into the later stages of life, I feared I might be evolving into a bitter and discontented individual, losing my patience with children and developing a general aversion to people and experiences—essentially failing to thrive in this phase of my life. This realization was troubling.

I didn’t want to become that person, so I set out to analyze my lifestyle for potential sources of discomfort. Here’s what I discovered:

• My diet is healthy—natural, unprocessed, ketogenic—Check.
• I avoid alcohol and drugs—Check.
• My exercise routine is solid and consistent—weightlifting, triathlons, cardio—Check.
• I get about seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night—Check.
• My financial situation is decent (though who wouldn’t like more?)—Check.
• My relationships are fulfilling—Check and double-check.

However, when it came to my morning routine, things changed. I would grab a cup of coffee, turn on the news, and mentally scream at the television—trying not to disturb my neighbors. The chaos presented by sensationalist news anchors filled my mind with negativity and made my stomach churn.

The daily barrage of media influence—a relentless stream of discontent—was something I couldn't control. But I realized I could change my morning habits—I could alter my approach to begin each day differently.

This led to the creation of my Great Experiment.

I decided to remove the television that hung on my wall, the very source of widespread discontent, and tucked it away in a closet. I won't even start on the distractions from smartphones and social media.

I crafted a new morning routine where I would write in my journal while sipping my coffee, instead of documenting the misfortunes of my day after work. I aimed to express rather than absorb right from the moment I woke up.

I’m a fan of thirty-day challenges, so I committed to a month-long experiment to see if writing in the morning rather than watching the news would yield any significant changes.

The results were striking.

While anecdotal, I noticed a revival of my zest for life after completing the thirty-day challenge. Friends have remarked that I appear friendlier, less irritable, and more enjoyable to be around. My happiness has flourished, and I now wake up filled with optimism.

The transition wasn’t without its struggles. I believe that television and news can be addictive, and reverting to my old habits highlighted this dependency. For the first two weeks, my instinct was to reach for the remote—something I likely would have done if the TV remained on the wall.

Now, I’ve taken it a step further by incorporating at least thirty minutes of meditation before I even touch my journal. Embracing the present moment brings so much more fulfillment. Writing has become a way to engage in the world I wish to create.

For more insights on enhancing your mornings, check out this resource: Daily Stoic.

Chapter 2: Embracing Change

In this engaging video, "The Great Experiment: A Conversation with Yascha Mounk," the discussion revolves around the importance of personal transformation and societal challenges.

Chapter 3: The Impact of Media

"America - The Great Experiment" delves into the complexities of American society and the role of media in shaping our perceptions and behaviors.