When you wake up in the morning do you immediately grab your phone?
Do you squint at all of the notifications as you determine the order you’ll respond?
Before bed do you mindlessly scroll until your eyes get too droopy to stay open and your phone feels like it has suddenly gained 10 pounds?
I’ve lamented about this before but now I’ve finally done something about it.
In being deeply committed to becoming more myself this year and onwards, I’ve vowed to do things differently.
No more late night scrolls before bed.
As much as I love watching adorable animal reels in a feeble attempt to momentarily boost my serotonin levels, I’ve put a stop to that practice and have replaced it with bedtime reading. The reading has to be a book; no newsletters and no articles.
The results have been unsettling.
Within the first week I noticed a difference in my overall mood, feeling in my body, and brain function. I’m more calm, my focus is steadfast, and my muses are visiting more than they have in years. The feeling that really got my attention? I’m happier. There is a sweet little spring in my step. I’m quicker to fits of giggles. I feel lighter, more capable of handling the world and everything in it. Life, relationships, tasks, and goals feel so much easier to manage.
How long have I been missing out on all of this focus and heightened joy?
It is as if my wonder and curiosity have been fully charged, allowing total use of my creative capabilities.
With such significant positive results in changing my bedtime routine, I figure let's go for gold and apply it to my morning wake up practice.
An alarm clock has been purchased so I don’t have to rely on my phone to wake up with the snooze feature set for an hour after the first alarm goes off. I’ve given myself three options in that hour: write in my journal, share my dreams from the night before with my partner, or meditate.
As you read this, you’re probably saying, “Duh, Jenovia”.
We all know that being glued to our phone first thing in the morning and right before bed is not good for us, not good for our moods, not good for our sleep, but do we actually do anything about it?
Instead of action we use the phrase: “I need to…”
I need to exercise more.
I need to eat more greens.
I need to stop scrolling on my phone so much.
Technology is amazing, I love being able to research anything, anytime, anywhere, but that ease comes with a steep cost that has been deleterious to my everyday life and overall wellbeing.
I’m done paying that price.
With the change in bedtime routine, I don’t feel inclined to look at my phone during the day anymore unless it is work related.
That feels really good.
Intuitively, it feels right.
I love my life more than I ever have and I can’t waste such a special time spending my evenings and mornings scrolling through a mini computer that feels like it’s frying my brain.
Ideas, inventions, and works of art that change lives are not made with your face in a phone. The deepest parts of ourselves that we all long to meet and connect with are not there either.
I invite you to try giving up your phone in the morning or night (preferably both) and see how it goes. Pay attention to how you feel, where your mind wanders, and what comes to you in those moments of stillness.
It has changed my life.
Maybe it will change yours?
Here is this week’s Caught In My Web 🕸️
🕸️ True Detective Season 5 Renewed with Issa Lopez at the helm!
🕸️ Sobbing at the trailer for One Life, the biopic about Nicholas Winton. He helped hundreds of children escape German-occupied Czechoslovakia.
🕸️ Wicked Little Letters looks hysterical! Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley swearing their arses off?! Running to watch this true tale from the 1920’s as soon as it comes out in March.
🕸️ “Never repress a woman - because it will come out.” This Guardian interview with the both of them makes me want to watch the film even more.
🕸️ Currently reading A Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre. It is chaotic, strange, and very French. I like it so far. I must confess that half of the reason why I purchased this book is because the cover is so damn good. Second favorite cover of all time.
🕸️ Halfway through Leslie Jamison’s Splinters. I do not recommend.
🕸️ I will forever be a sucker for an adorable love story. Follow your heart! Miss the train!
What Has Been Caught In Your Web 🕸️This Week?
🕷️ Thank you for reading JENOVIA’S WEB. Restack on Notes, leave a comment, or hit the heart button if you enjoyed this post. I love hearing from you! 🕸️
Love always,
Jenovia
Wicked little letters trailer had me in tears. The love story on CNN was beautiful. I think I know this but I’m going to ask anyway. If that’s your second favorite book cover, what’s your first ? (I want to see if I’m right)
What a beautiful discovery, that those scrolling moments of temporary serotonin can be replaced by lasting happiness. I’m giddy for you and join you in the simple return to living. One of the blessings of all my years of dizziness is that I was forced to avoid screens, and then slowly, judiciously, bring them back. But too much, and my brain screams no. Though my family has complained, I plug my phone in at 4pm every day and don’t return to it until after my morning feedcatsfeedchickensfeedfishtebdtoplantsplaywithcatsfeedmyself routine. 🐱🐓🐟🌱🍳💕