Brook Slagle • 2023-12-31

Let’s talk about obsession and fixation.

I have a knack for it… I often get hyper obsessed and learn everything there is to know at a surface level about a thing.

I call this a superpower (because it is).

But this obsessive trait of me can easily cause me to spend more money than I would like, and often distracts me for a long time… and keeps me away from things that actually matter.

For example, I got obsessively interested in mechanical keyboards a while ago.

Here’s how it went…

I started browsing reddit like a mad man, taking inspiration from others who had incredible keebs (keyboard builds).

I was dreaming up configs of keycaps and switches to learning QMK programming, to make my typing incredibly efficient.

As well as finding all the best marketplaces and retailers, as to get the best deals possible.

It was so much fun.

The process of searching and finding. My dopamine system was firing on all cylinders.

I bought a Drop CTRL, a ten-keyless aluminum frame, hot-swappable keyboard. I bought some GMK WoB caps to go on it.

I had done it.

I had joined the fancy mechanical keyboard world.

That keyboard was used for over 5 years and served me well. I loved the shit out of it; it got me through college.

In reality, I probably invested $300 into the keyboard build, but on top of that I spent over 20+ hours researching, dreaming, and comparing my build to others which caused a cycle of doomscrolling.

Would you reckon that obsession served me?

Maybe.

It made my typing experience better, no doubt.

But… the $50 light up RGB mechanical gaming keyboard that I had before could type about 95% as well as my fancy new one could.

And guess what, no time sink occurred with its purchase! I bought it on Amazon years before my fancy keyboard.

But I got caught up with comparing my Amazon keyboard to elegant builds that I found on reddit. And I had to have it.

The dopamine from the learning & searching was fun, but it’s fleeting.

Out of this whole keyboard obsession, I have netted a few things:

1. respect for quality keyboards - they are worth the money.
2. reluctance to every use a normal laptop again because of how shitty their keyboards are. my macbook pro is good enough, but still not great.
3. the only measurable, objective gain was increased typing speed (because it’s only natural to use the damn thing)

The kicker: no more interest to further pursue it.

But why? Why did the dopamine machine run dry?

Progress slowed, and the results weren’t worth the effort.

The juice was no longer worth the squeeze, and my monkey brain stopped firing feel good neurotransmitters.

This exact process has happened at least 10 times in my life.

And it’s nearly cyclical.

Throughout this process, I learn what the hobby or habit truly is. The post-nut clarity, if you will.

I have done this process with:

• PC building
• graphic design
• musical instruments
• fitness modalities
• video games
• longboards
• software
• diets
• apps

And more!

This is the process that I have found:

discovery → initial obsession → research → act → reflect (possibly repeat)

There is nothing inherently wrong with this process, but what can cause a major degradation on our lives is how long we do this for something that doesn’t serve us.

I sunk over $300 and 20+ hours into getting my first mechanical keyboard. In the end, the thing that served me the most from that habit was an increase in typing proficiency.

But guess what?

I never needed the fancy keyboard to get that outcome.

Now, I don’t regret going down the rabbit hole, after all I learned something new & it’s not worth regretting it.

But only recently have I come aware of the true value in this experience and this obsession.

I learned that it is worth it to:

1. Reflect on your natural obsessions.
2. Find how they can serve you.

Not everything will immediately serve you.

If you can’t help but do it (some obsession), or just can’t seem to put it down. Follow that. There is magic there.

But some obsessions DO have clear benefits.

Obsessing over:

• anything health or fitness related
• philosophy
• spirituality
• business
• marketing
• and anything that brings you peace.

and more - all will net you with a positive in the end, especially as you follow the natural process: discovery → initial obsession → research → act → reflect.

Check yourself for whatever you are currently obsessed with.

Your future self will thank you.

See you in 2024.

KEEP GOING

B.S.