Learning to Recognize My Limits

Today, while working on installing Linux on my laptop with ChatGPT's help, I discovered something about myself that I hadn't clearly understood before.

I can spend hours concentrating on difficult tasks, learning unfamiliar things, and genuinely enjoying the process.

But I have a problem.

I often don't notice myself becoming tired. I only realize it when I'm already exhausted.

What happened today

I spent approximately three hours working on my computer.

I was comfortable, interested, and enjoying what I was doing.

Eventually, I became mentally exhausted and lost the desire to continue, even though my work wasn't finished.

Later, I went outside for approximately 45–60 minutes.

After spending some time outdoors, I gradually began feeling better.

This wasn't the first time going outside had helped me. But today's conversation with ChatGPT helped me notice another part of the pattern.

A question I hadn't asked myself

ChatGPT asked me whether I naturally recognize when I'm becoming tired or whether I only notice after I'm already exhausted.

That question made me realize something.

I usually recognize exhaustion too late.

We discussed whether deliberately taking breaks before becoming exhausted might help.

I haven't properly tested this yet, although I've noticed that interruptions and rest have sometimes made things easier.

Comparing myself with others

The conversation also revealed something else.

I feel ashamed that I cannot work the way I imagine other people work, especially people who work eight hours daily.

But ChatGPT asked me to imagine having financial security and the freedom to organize my day however I wanted.

My answer was simple.

I would work for a while, rest, go outside, and return to work when I felt ready.

Then came another question.

Would I still feel ashamed if I worked that way, earned enough money, and lived comfortably?

My answer was no.

That helped me distinguish two things I had been mixing together: the way I work and the financial results I want to achieve.

What I've learned

I haven't established my actual working limits yet.

I don't know whether planned breaks will prevent exhaustion or how much work I can sustainably complete in a day.

But I have identified something worth testing.

Instead of assuming I should be able to work continuously for eight hours, I can investigate what kind of working rhythm actually allows me to function well.

My next step is simple: stop working before I feel exhausted, take a real break, and see what happens when I return.

This is part of my From Caveman to Fix-It Alex project, where I'm using AI to investigate my actual life, question assumptions, and test practical improvements.

I'm not claiming that I've solved the problem.

Today, I simply understand it a little better.

And that gives me something concrete to test.