Desire Management
Strengthen self-control and contentment by practicing temporary abstention from a specific desire. By resisting temptation, understand your true needs.
Practice Abstinence
Identify a non-essential desire that you frequently indulge (e.g., sweets, social media, complaining). For one week, abstain from it. Before you begin, write about your desire and when you are most likely to indulge in it. During the week, when you find yourself tempted to indulge, acknowledge the craving. What situations trigger this craving? What emotions are associated with this desire? When the week ends, journal about the experience and reflect on how it feels to abstain from this desire. Did you experience discomfort, frustration, or a sense of liberation? What did you learn about the nature of your desires and your ability to control them? Epictetus: "Every day and especially guard against that from which your downfall especially proceeds". How can you use this exercise to manage other desires?
