Things I did this week instead of scrolling on my phone
How I spent a week trying to rebalance my pace by reconnecting with old habits.
Two months ago, I decided to spend a ‘reset’ week, where I intended to live more instead of scroll more. In just two months, life being the whirlwind that it is, nudged me towards taking more frequent ‘reset’ weeks.
At present, the only social media app I use regularly is Substack. But the idea behind a reset week is to consciously remind yourself to do things that do not require you to sit still and scroll on your phone for hours, not even on Substack. After experiencing an extremely hectic last week at work, I decided to spend this week picking back up old habits that were left behind as I navigated the chaos of adulting in my life this year.
Welcoming intention in your life this way is not easy to do but it is crucial because:
You feel like you are going backwards in life every time you revisit a hobby you were once good at. But in reality, you are just picking things up where you left them off, and you are allowed to do that.
A part of your brain wants you to keep running forward because “slowing down might pull you back in the race”. But in reality, there is no race. It’s just you and your sweet little path that you have all the right to control, in terms of both speed and direction.
This week, I decided to take another step towards having a guilt-free relationship with rest.
“For me, resting does not equate to stillness. It means that I continue to do my tasks, just at a slower pace. And I intentionally choose to do things that make me feel at peace, specifically the ones that do not involve my phone.“
Things I did this week instead of scrolling on my phone, April 2024
Here’s what I did this week instead of scrolling on my phone:
Read
If you have been following my journey for long enough, you know that I am currently working on building a personal library. As life got busy though, I completely lost track of reading. But this week, I spent the last 10 minutes of my day with a book, a scented candle and my green tea on the side table.
In a world that rewards rushing, consciously lean on things that let you slow down. It is in these everyday little things that peace is found.
Movement
No matter what age you are, movement should be an inevitable part of your daily routine. As a young professional breathing the air of ‘hustle culture’, going for walks or setting aside a dedicated time for working out gets me through most of my days. Consider incorporating movement in your daily life as a way of honouring your heart for keeping you alive, and it will never feel like a chore again.
Reconnect with old hobbies
I have been feeling unmotivated lately. Part of the reason is that I don’t give my mind enough space for creativity to breathe. What I know for sure is that we are much happier on days when creativity surrounds us. When I thought about spending another ‘reset’ week, I finally decided to take my dusty ukulele out of the cupboard where it had been kept for more than a year since I moved.
Hobbies that you don’t intend to transform into a source of income are great happiness boosters. You’ll have a thousand excuses not to revisit your old hobbies despite knowing how happy they made you feel. But, you need only one reason to pick them up today: mental peace.
Don’t let anybody tell you that enjoying a brief moment (in the grand scheme of things) doing things that bring you joy will pull you back in the race of life.
This week, I encourage you to choose living over scrolling.
Do something that makes you smile.
Do something that allows you to appreciate what you have now instead of wanting to be where someone else is.
Do something you loved doing, but unintentionally left behind in the chaos of life.
Do something that allows your eyes to see beyond a laptop screen because that is where life truly unfolds.
THIS WEEK’s RECOMMENDATIONS
Give Up by
. Martin shares an amazing tip to reconnect with your sense of purpose. (Fun fact: I did a similar activity four years ago to figure out my career path!)- . A poem that deeply resonated with me in this season of chaos.
Limitless by
. Beautiful, thought provoking and hopeful words by Troy that I always enjoy reading. I hope you do too.
If you enjoy reading Unwind, I would love it if you consider recommending the publication to your readers. Simply go to your dashboard > Recommendations > Manage > Add recommendation > Unwind.
Thank you, Mansi. Love the end here: "Do something that makes you smile.
Do something that allows you to appreciate what you have now instead of wanting to be where someone else is.
Do something you loved doing, but unintentionally left behind in the chaos of life.
Do something that allows your eyes to see beyond a laptop screen because that is where life truly unfolds."
Saving this!
These are so beautiful remainders Mansi, your writing always reminds me how the simple and thoughtful things can bring joy and peace to our lives. 😊
Thank you for the mention, I feel honoured💚