[wuhhh]

Never really understood posts like this that start “x doesn’t have to be a chore”, especially when “x” falls under the category of hobby, leisure activity or something generally requiring effort to maintain which is a kind of luxury pursuit. If you find “x” a chore, don’t bother and move on and do something you find fulfilling. This just frames it in a way that makes me think it’s something people think they _should_ do.

[diggan]

Some people want the benefit of an activity, but they don't like the activity itself, like me and physical workouts for the purpose of a physical workouts. Finding ways of making activities "more fun" so those people don't find it to be so much of a chore sounds like a neat contribution.

[jjk166]

Workouts are a chore, like washing clothes, it's something you need to do whether you like it or not. There are things you can do to make it better, but it's not a leisure activity you can just stop doing (at least not for extended periods without replacing it with something equivalent).

For journaling, the benefit is the enjoyment you derive from doing it. If you don't like doing it, you're not going to get anything out of it, at least not more than you would spending that time on a hobby you actually like.

[wuhhh]

Physical exercise is obviously good for you, though.

[diggan]

Yes, and I enjoying swimming in the ocean for example. But I don't like swimming just for the sake of "it's good for you", don't know why and doesn't really matter.

Point is that some people know what's good for you, but cannot force them to do it just because it's good, we need something more :) Just because something feels like a "chore" doesn't mean you should avoid it.

[m-hodges]

This is an amazing little subthread here because in Book 2 of Plato's Republic Socrates lays out three classes of "good" in response to Glaucon. He categorizes physical training as the type "good only for their consequences" which he argues is not the highest form of good. Now, if one does genuinely enjoy the activity, he would elevate it to the highest form, which is "good both for their own sake and for their consequences".

[HPsquared]

A lot of things are fulfilling overall, but have a lot of short-term "chore" feelings. For example exercise, or relationships, or cooking.

[wuhhh]

The ramifications of neglecting your journal compared with, say, your spouse are quite different

[diggan]

This is such fun comment because it's ambiguous enough to speak to both "the individual is the most important" and "family is everything" people :)

[HPsquared]

Many in recent generations see romantic relationships as an extra, a luxury side quest. In the same overall category as journaling or home cooking and so on.