### Engagement vs. boredom
-(Discuss code that engages vs. code that bores us).
+You've already experienced several layers of engagement with your programming. There are projects and topics that don't feel like a chore. You feel like you're learning something each step of the way. Time disappears.
+
+Conversely you've likely experienced the opposite: boredom. The code base doesn't engage you at all. The topic being covered is just re-hashing something you already know. It's a chore to get started and the minutes drag along throughout the whole process.
+
+### Awake vs. tired
+
+Sleep is a major contributor to how we perceive the world. Getting enough sleep manifests in feeling refreshed, awake, and inspired. We have the energy reserves at the ready to take on whatever challenges befall us. But when we don't get enough sleep (or enough quality sleep) we become irritable and less-open to engagement. We conserve our resources as best we can lest we use them up too quickly.
+
+### Mental state
+
+I'm using "mental state" in a broad sense to cover any of our existing feelings and current mental well-being. These can range from temporary feelings of unhappiness and melancholy to complex topics like clinical depression and PTSD. Our minds are complex machines that do their best to adapt to the situations and environment presented to them. At times this can clash with our desires to be productive and the struggle between our mental state and our desires can cause further emotional drain, discomfort, and despair.
+
+There are more things that can affect our emotions but these are the ones that I'd like to focus on as they cover a broad spectrum of what we bring to the tasks of learning and programming.
+
+## Emotional awareness
+
+(Discuss being aware of our emotions)
projects / themediocreprogrammer.git / commitdiff