Developing Purposeful Routines and Habits
We all have them. Habits. Routines. I used to wake up when Dane’s alarm went off at 1:30 am and check my phone. As if email, tweets, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, or Words with Friends just can’t wait until morning when I’m up for real. I’d check them again before I got out of bed after I woke up for real. It’s interesting — this outstanding technology that gives us so much, yet takes so much away from us. Sleep or time with people who are actually in front of us. Our phone is a constant distraction of what we might miss if we look away.
Nowhere in healthy habits does it say to check your phone I’ve been changing my habits. I have all notifications except text and phone off — those are on vibrate since I have kids. I never check my phone in the middle of the night or when I wake up. I actually wake up, stretch, go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, etc…. before I look at my phone. I got rid of several apps, streamlined, and cleaned things up. When I’m not on call, my phone is on silent. It’s a joke in my house that I never know where my phone is, but now I don’t care as much. When I find it, I can check it in a more deliberate way.
Use the phone but don’t tether yourself I love having my phone. I love what I can do with it, but I don’t need the constant tether. Things about my phone I really like: GPS, text, and phone. Getting an email for work when I’m working but not at the office or on a computer. The ability to connect is fantastic via email or social media. Learning that I’m not missing anything if I don’t check it regularly was an important lesson. If it’s an emergency, I won’t hear about it via social media. The capacity to learn, look things up, gather, and use information is phenomenal. I remember life prior to having a cell phone and the progression of what we’ve been able to do with a phone. We’re so blessed to have the technology but not at the expense of the world in front of us. This is why it is important to develop new, purposeful routines and habits as I detail below.
NEW HABITS: Mostly I’m more deliberate about how I spend my time — especially my morning routine. I’m on the computer at work, so I’m trying to reduce my computer time at home. I’m reading books more regularly, I’m using technology to learn about things that interest me, It’s more about being aware of the volume of time we are using devices. Reconnecting with people. Balancing the information we can get from our phones with the time spent doing other things. It’s a shame to spend so much time trying to connect with people via social media to miss out on the people who are here with us. Back yard, BLM land behind the fence, no neighbors in my sight, Alaska cup with coffee, bare feet. Perfect.
Originally published at https://www.momof18.com.
Jenn is Mom of 18, Transformational Coach for Christian women, host of At A Crossroads with The Naked Podcaster, Author, Runner, Minimalist, & Healthy Lifestyle Advocate
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