Musings on basics: losing of, and focusing on
Case 1 - Ignoring basics
About a year-and-a-half ago I did a tiny, seemingly insignificant, error: I was too lazy to go pick up a proper ladder for installing a lamp in our kitchen. Instead, I climbed on the table, and when getting off after a job well done, I stepped down on a chair and then tried to exit the chair via the backrest. This did not work, and instead I had a violent fall, head first into the cabinet door. Head was fine, but right leg was mighty sore. Figured it's gonna be a wicked bruise and that's all.
Little did I know it was going to be a large defining moment for the next year-and-a-half. Wicked bruise was right on the money, then massive hematoma, liponecrosis and finally the remaining hematoma encapsulated and refused to dissolve, leading to a surgery to remove it.
For over a year, I was walking funny and started developing several secondary issues; physical, mental, social etc., and after a year of listening to doctors saying "It's gonna resolve on it's own, just be patient." I got fed up and started pushing harder for a consult. Orthopedic surgeon took one look, asked about it's effect on my quality of life and ordered imaging. After looking at the imaging, he instantly said it's gotta come out. Fucking finally.
Surgery went fine, but recuperation took almost 3 months due to several complications and only now I'm finally getting back to somewhat normal. No real permanent damage, apart from a crater and a scar in my inseam-area.
What lead to all these prolonged issues, and why I'm saying all of this:
I disregarded the basics: Always use a proper ladder.
Case 2 - Losing the basics
Post-op and during recuperation, I've had a tough time trying to get back to "normal". One leg not supporting my glorious frame, sleeping was a hassle, sitting was not an option and constant massive brainfog.
I've been fortunate enough to be somewhat able-bodied all my life, so being fundamentally limited in what I can do, and having to rely on other people to help me, was a rough experience. Due to not-the-greatest childhood, I have difficulties asking for help.
Worst of all was the brainfog. I know beyond reasonable doubt that I am significantly (I toiled over the wording here for ages...) above average intelligence. I don't say this to brag, but as context.
As a sidenote, I think there's nothing to brag about; intelligence does not translate to smarts as well as one would think, and it has been a curse most of my life. There's too much to say about this, so it's gonna be it's own post. Back to your regularily scheduled blogpost.
Losing my intelligence, or rather, feeling like I had lost my intelligence, feeling stupid, was the worst part of the entire experience. My brain, the obstinate fuck, has been the only part of myself that I have ever liked, or even respected. I have since developed a healthier way of thinking about this, but I digress. Intelligence and quick wits has been my solution to everything all my life. A crutch of sorts, even. When I felt like I was stripped of this, I went from being unhappy to downright miserable.
I had lost my autonomy, my independence and my self-worth. It was top 3 worst feeling I've had in my life.
I lost the basics.
Case 3 - Focusing on the basics
I've always hated the moments in my life where clichés ring true.
You gotta learn to walk before you run!
It's a tired old cliché I've heard so many times in my life without understanding it, and now that I've finally understood it, it annoys the shit out of me.
You have to sleep enough, drink water, exercise and eat healthy!
Fuck right off. I know I have to. I also know I don't actually do it. Now tell me why I feel like shit without just pointing back at the obvious. Stop being right, you fucking necromantic, repeatedly punted to death, horse. I hate you.
Via some hobbies, I've figured out that going back to check on and practice basics is never a wasted effort. In fact, it's going to be a more efficient way of improving your end results than just trying to grind endlessly on those advanced techniques or details.
"I fear not the man who has practiced 10 000 kicks, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10 000 times." -Bruce Lee
Penspinning
I spend maybe 75% of my time just passively hammering the basics, instead of trying to learn a new trick every week. When you're more familiar and comfortable with the pen itself by doing what you know by heart, it makes it so much easier to learn new tricks. Your control improves even though it doesn't feel like it. It's not inherently rewarding like learning a new trick, but it's the work they always say you should put in.
Archery
Just standing there, staring at yourself in the mirror, drawing, checking the form and releasing into a bale without any intention of tracking score or being accurate seems counter-intuitive. It has, however, improved my accuracy and grouping way more than endlessly trying to shoot for score.
Dota 2
Best game in the world that I will never play again. A friend of mine once asked how was it that I improved much quicker than he did, even though we played approximately the same amount of matches. Checking a few replays showed a clear reason: I was consistently ahead of him in net worth. I had more resources to work with, hence margin of error was larger. I spent about 30-90min every single day practicing farming, last hitting, jungle patterns etc. that he did not do.
Life
I have spent hours upon hours overanalyzing my life and tried whatever tricks I could find or think of to fix my life. None of it worked and I just lost all motivation to try. What finally worked the best was regular sleep schedule, quality food, exercise and drinking water. Infuriating.
Conclusion - So what does this mean for me, the consumer?
I don't know. Just... remember to sleep, eat and drink water. Or don't, I'm not your mother.