Summary

The author shares their transformative experience of adopting a monk-like lifestyle in Zagreb for a month, which led to personal growth, a newfound hobby in writing, and a reevaluation of life goals.

Abstract

In September 2022, the author and their partner chose Zagreb, Croatia, for a month-long retreat to focus on productivity and well-being, a decision influenced by the city's affordability and serene environment. They entered a self-imposed 'monk mode' characterized by disciplined work routines, regular gym visits, healthy eating, and ample sleep, facilitated by the solitude of an unfamiliar city. This period of introspection and minimal social distractions allowed the author to reflect deeply on their career and personal interests, ultimately sparking a passion for writing, as evidenced by their subsequent articles on Medium. The experience in Zagreb not only provided a much-needed respite but also paved the way for life-changing reflections and the discovery of a lasting hobby.

Opinions

The author values the balance between work and personal life, emphasizing the importance of occasional retreats for mental clarity and self-improvement.
They believe that boredom can be a catalyst for introspection and personal growth, leading to unexpected discoveries about one's interests and aspirations.
The author suggests that a comfortable yet unpretentious environment, like the one they found in Zagreb, is conducive to a productive 'monk mode' experience.
Regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient sleep are considered essential components of a balanced and productive lifestyle by the author.
Watching the documentary "We Live in Public" was a pivotal moment for the author, inspiring them to explore writing as a hobby and eventually as a significant part of their life.
The author encourages others to consider similar periods of focused work and reflection, suggesting that it can lead to meaningful hobbies and career insights.

I Went Monk-Mode For A Month in Croatia And Here’s What Happened

And Why You Should Consider It Too This September

The view from the lobby of the overnight ferry as we approached Croatia, our monk-mode destination— Photo from the Author

Last September, my partner and I were on the lookout for a place to live and work in Europe for a month.

Our criteria were: affordability, mild weather, and moderately peaceful environment. We had already indulged in a lot of summer parties, and our livers were begging for a break.

Additionally, we needed some downtime before several upcoming trips scheduled for October.

Zagreb Ended-Up Being the City of Choice

Neither of us knew a lot about the Croatian capital.

However, the affordable Airbnb prices (likely due to the low season) and the convenience of reaching Croatia from my region in Italy via an overnight ferry piqued our interest. We decided to give it a try.

Upon arriving at the Croatian coast (specifically Split), Zagreb was just a Flixbus trip away (though not the most relaxing journey, as I discovered that Croatia’s inland areas were quite hilly and rugged).

Monk-Mode Was Triggered Spontaneously at Our Arrival

Our Airbnb surprised us with its beauty, comfort and well-equipped kitchen. It even had a little garden, which allowed me to sunbathe during my lunch breaks.

Given our recent socializing, multiple dinners, and parties, we naturally shifted into ‘monk mode.’

This means that we entered a period of enhanced focus, discipline, and productivity, which for us consisted of:

working our daily jobs,
frequenting the gym consistently 2 to 3 times a week,
my partner occasionally (yet, more consistently than the previous summer months) streaming on Twitch as part of his hobby,
eating healthy food,
sleeping plenty.

The fact of not knowing a single soul in the city made the rest.

Delicious, healthy local food on our first night in Zagreb

Some Personal Context

In September 2022, I began to feel a sense of boredom with my daily job and had found myself pondering what to do next.

Outside of work, I lacked a dedicated hobby and had relied on intense summer socializing to keep myself occupied in the preceding months.

Suddenly finding myself in a city that wasn’t high on my list of “Cities I’m Most Curious About” (which meant less pressure for sightseeing) inevitably heightened my levels of boredom.

Boredom triggered reflection.

By the second week of my stay in Zagreb, I found myself deep in thought, journaling (in addition to my weekly therapy sessions at the time), and revisiting childhood interests to gather clues about how to steer my life moving forward.

Some of my questions, for example, concerned whether I wanted to focus on a career move to invigorate my job situation, or pick up a hobby for personal satisfaction beyond work.

An Unexpected Surprise

Then, one night, I watched the documentary “We Live in Public”, an intriguing exploration of the late ’90s dot-com bubble.

The perfect combo of having the mental space to appreciate something artistic, like a good movie, sparked my desire to write about it.

I chose Medium for its accessibility, allowing me to start writing without the need for a blog.

This was my article about it:

We Live in Public

“As time goes by we are going to increasingly have our lives exposed in very personal and intimate ways and we want…

medium.com

Following that article in September 2022, many more followed, and I realized that I had naturally gravitated toward a hobby. A hobby that has persisted up to the present day.

Conclusions

When I visited Zagreb in September 2022, my goal was simple: to find some peace and quiet, allowing me to catch my breath after the intense summer months and unwind before embarking on more intensive travels.

Little did I know that this break, taken to re-establish a healthier routine and inevitably leading to moments of boredom, would trigger life-changing reflections and inspire me to find a long-lasting hobby.

Here are the key ingredients for a productive monk mode:

Choose a comfortable, yet affordable place. You don’t need anything overly luxurious. We had opted for Zagreb, but you can choose any city you want or even opt for a stay-cation.
Prioritize exercise to strike a balance between mental and physical exertion. It’s an excellent stress-reliever and emotional outlet.
Nourish yourself with healthy food to best nourish your brain;
If you’re in a state of contemplation about your life while in ‘monk mode,’ leave room for your mind to wander. Listen to where your thoughts lead you;
If you already have a goal you want to work on, then great! You already know what you need to do, so execute.

📚Looking for some more inspiration?

📭Or:

If working and traveling full-time is what you’re dreaming of, then join my newsletter Freedom Focus. Twice a month, you will receive reflection prompts, actionable items and insights on how I managed to travel and work full-time for the past two years, and how I plan to make my lifestyle increasingly more time and location-free. Join here.