Well, I’ve been really into finding ways to measure temperance as an outcome lately. It all started when I was chatting with a buddy about self – control and how we could tell if we were getting better at it.
I first thought about what temperance really means to me. For me, it’s about not going overboard in different aspects of life, like eating, spending money, or even using my phone. So, I decided to start with these three areas.
1. Measuring Food Intake
I began by keeping a simple food diary. Every day, I wrote down what I ate and how much. I didn’t count calories or anything fancy at first. Just a basic record. I aimed to have three balanced meals a day and limit snacks. I set a goal to not finish a whole bag of chips in one sitting. In the beginning, it was tough. I’d reach for that extra handful of chips without even thinking. But as I kept writing things down, I became more aware of my habits. After a couple of weeks, I noticed I was reaching for healthier snacks like fruits more often. I also found that I could stop myself from over – eating at dinner. According to some experts, keeping a food diary can increase self – awareness by up to 70%.
2. Tracking Spending
Next, I tackled my spending. I made a spreadsheet on my phone to record every single purchase. I divided my spending into categories like groceries, entertainment, and impulse buys. I set a weekly budget for each category. At first, I was way over my budget for entertainment. I’d go to the movies or grab a coffee out more often than I should. But as I started seeing the numbers on the spreadsheet, I became more cautious. I started looking for free entertainment options like going to the park or reading a book at home. After a month, I managed to cut my entertainment spending by almost 30%.
3. Monitoring Phone Usage
Finally, I wanted to measure my phone usage. I used the built – in screen time feature on my phone. I set a daily limit for social media and gaming apps. It was a real eye – opener. I realized I was spending hours scrolling through Instagram and playing games. When the time limit hit, my phone would lock me out of those apps. At first, I was really annoyed. I’d try to find ways around it. But as I got used to it, I found myself doing other things like reading or taking a walk. After two months, my overall phone usage dropped by 25%.
To sum it up, measuring temperance isn’t easy, but it’s totally doable. By keeping records, setting goals, and being aware of my actions, I was able to make significant improvements in these three areas of my life. It’s been a fun and rewarding journey, and I’m looking forward to seeing how much more I can improve in the future!
