I used to think "non-negotiable" sounded harsh, but forcing myself for a week is what finally made it stick for me.

That smoke alarm concert sounds rough, but I actually find the mess-ups part of the fun. Going manual isn't about being perfect for me, it's more about the process. Kinda like what @eva_gibson46 said, it can be relaxing once you stop worrying about getting it right. I burned toast so bad last week my kid thought it was charcoal, but we just laughed and started over. Learning to enjoy the mistakes (instead of letting them stress you out) is what makes it worth it.

We've gone three years just by burning dry, seasoned wood hot.