It’s the first day of a brand new month, and a good day as any, to begin something new. So, why not do something that I have been trying to work on, but failing successfully for so long now? My mind was as wide awake last night at 1 am, as it is at 8 am, as I lay in bed, ruminating on the need for something new, something different.
My Geminian nerves get restless if something new and exciting isn’t happening every now and then. I get bored with the little things in life. No, I don’t cast away those boring little things, I just push them to some far corner of my mind and look for something to replace them with; something that challenges me, makes me work hard and changes me in its own little way.
So, as I lay thinking about this much-needed change I wished to bring, a line from an Instagram post flashed in my mind. A blogger friend, Vasantha Vivek shared it–a digital detox tip:
“Stay away from your mobile before 9 am & after 9 pm everyday.“
These words just popped out of nowhere last night and I almost sat up! Now, that is the kind of change I needed! Since the longest time, I have been trying to break this particular habit of mine, but in vain. I would just give up after a week, or so, and then repent. But, what good was all that repentance when I wasn’t doing anything about it?
So, last night, I decided, that, this is it, enough is enough. This is what’s been bothering me, and I am going to get it out of my system, altogether. How wonderful it felt! And, today being the 1st of a new month, I felt I needed something new to feel good about. A good change that would, definitely, help me.
So, today, my phone stayed far away from me till 9 am and after 9 pm and also in between.
Do you wish to know how well I succeeded?
Today, I finished my chores before the usual time.
I finished writing a new article.
I worked on a blog post for the next week and prepared a Pinterest image for the same.
I began reading a new motivational book.
And, finally, my eyes felt less tired as I did not strain them by staring mindlessly at my phone.
So, thank you, Vasantha, if you are reading this!
Life was really so much more peaceful and less distracting before these damned smart phones invaded our world, isn’t it? And, we, the idiots, just let ourselves get all carried away, and now, look where it’s landed us!
But, as I said, any day is a good day to break an old habit and work on forming a new one.
TIPS TO FORM A NEW HABIT:
1. Think about the one habit you really wish to change.
2. Write it down in your journal.
3. On a page, write the date you decide on beginning the change.
4. Mark the date that comes 21 days later (a habit normally takes 21 days to change).
5. Make conscious efforts to make sure you follow the change you have decided upon.
6. Make an entry in your journal everyday about how you fared.
7. Be mindful about how you behave, the activities that you do.
8. At the end of a week, see if there is any improvement. If there is, reward yourself to motivate yourself to keep going.
9. At the end of 21 days, see if you have been successful in breaking the habit for good.
10. Celebrate your victory!
It does need a lot of work, and patience, to keep working on yourself so that that old, annoying habit doesn’t return and ruin things for us.
I plan on working on it, working on myself and coming back a month later to read this post and write a new one about how I kept my word to myself, so, help me God!
it takes about 21 days to form a new habit. I plan on waiting for 31 days to see how well I succeed. I know, I will succeed! I quit drinking coffee! Yup, it’s been more than a month now, and it feels so good!
So, do visit Metanoia on the 1st of next month to see if I do succeed!
Do you wish to join me in bringing about a little change in yourself? Maybe something similar to what I have decided–changing the relationship we have with our stupid phones? Do let me know and we will work towards it, one day at a time, one step at a time.
Love,
SHILPA..
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What a coincidence I did that too! I made it a point to stay away from the cell phone after 10:00, at max 10:30 and I have succeeded in doing so. There are some more habits that I have to form and break, your post has me all charged.
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I wrote this post to charge myself up, Aparna. I so needed to get away from my phone and from all the encouragement I am reading here, I am sure I will be able to break this bad habit, for life!
Thank you for visiting!
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Digital detox is a dream for me. I have tried it so many times but all in vain. However, what I was trying to do was avoiding digital devices on the weekends and it turned out to be a failure. I will surely try this one as suggested by Vasantha (one of my favorite bloggers) but from the next month.
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Trying anything new is going to be difficult, as I too have experienced. But, try we must, isn’t it? We so need it..our health needs it too.
Thank you, Neha!
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Thanks, dear!!!
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I never had the habit of chatting over Whatsapp or Messenger but updating the social media handle every now and then is just so addictive. 🙂
This habit is good. Great indeed. Wishing you success. 😀 😀
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Really habit change things, very nice post
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Thank you Bikramjit!
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these days i am really involved in social pods i really need reduce them and focus on others things ty shilpa sharing this…
#simireads
#MyFriendAlexa
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Focusing on anything other than our screens will surely help us find time for a lot many other things, Simi!
Thank you for visiting!
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Healthy habits lead to personal and professional success and developing healthy habits make you not only stronger but happier.
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Well said, Romila! Thank you for visiting!
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Old habits die hard. This has been my plan for a long time. My ph is away from me during the day time…But night time is the only time I get to access my phone. Waiting for my munchkin to grow up so that I too can choose to stay away from the phone.
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Haha…old habits sure die hard, but this time I am going to murder this old habit of mine, for sure!
Thank you for visiting!
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Digital Detox is very much needed these days. I Don’t see my phone before 9.30 AM in the morning but nights it is difficult as it has become a habit. Need to work on it. Nice motivational post! #MyFriendAlexa #SurReads
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Yes, it is the evenings that can divert a lot of our attention to our phones. But we do need to work on it, else how will we get better?
Thank you for visiting, Surabhi!
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Thats true! Trying to work on it! May be after the Alexa campaign!
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Oh yes, Alexa is sure to keep us too busy to even think about the digital detox! 😀
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Freedom at midnight, isnt it Shilpa! The moment of awakening can happen at the strangest of the situations and at the oddest of the hour!
I do wish to inculcate the habit of reading for one hour straight any time during the day. But as you said, “failing successfully”, so I am on this count. Someday it will happen, I am sure.
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Oh wow! SO true, Anagha! Freedom at midnight…and I am glad I had this light bulb moment. Keeping fingers crossed that I will be able to do it!
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That’s a wonderful detox tip. Let me plan to start doing it after September once my friend Alexa is over. These days we are so much occupied with phones we fail to notice the lovely moments or sights around.
#sindhureads #myfriendalexa
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Yes, Sindhu! That is the reason I decided to give myself a break.
Thank you for visiting!
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I agree with you Shilpa, I’m myself addicted to phone and I do believe the internet has left us restless. Even I want new things to happen every now and then and can’t stay satisfied with anything.
A good and informative blog that I think everyone can relate to.
Anmol recently posted This lasagna looks exquisite; let me share it on my Instagram!
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We and our never-ending wants! 😀
Thank you so much for visiting, Anmol!
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Wow!! now thats some real target and motivation.. If i ll be able to do this then I think i ll be able to do anything
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Haha…that’s just what I think, too, Anisha!
Thank you so much!
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Oh! I would love to change my relationship with my phone, but cant take this step right now, because I do everything after my kids sleep. That is my primary working time.
I did start something new this month. My new blog about green living which has been on my mind for a long time. It is as much for me as for my readers to change our lifestyles to more sustainable ones.
All the best to keep your word to yourself.
#greenladyreads #MyFriendAlexa #firstgreenstep
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That sounds like a noble thing to do! Changing our lives to make them more sustainable is something that will benefit not only us, but also our planet.We need to keep trying to do our bit. Bravo to you!
Thank you for the encouragement! 🙂
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I would love to take up this challenge too. I agree that mobile phones and other gadgets make us addicted to them and it’s difficult to not check the updates regularly. Its not as easy as it looks but no harm in trying.
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Its a beautiful post shilpa, Good to see you working towards something positive, keep it up!
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I really pushed myself to change habit of being laid back. I can relate to this post.
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I know Vasantha, she’s a sweetheart 🙂 P.s. I have this dirty habit of staying awake every night. Thank you for this post and the statement from her post 🙂 stay away from this time frame. P.P.S. I am a June Baby too 🙂 (9th June, what’s your birthdate)
#vigorousreads #MyFriendAlexa
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Oh wow! Another Gemini!!! My birthday falls a day before yours! 😛
Glad to have connected, Varsha! I hope you too fight your habit, like I am, and succeed. Wish you the best! 🙂
Thank you for visiting!
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There are many habits that I want to get rid off or change, perhaps I should too start at digital detox.
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Haha…I think a digital detox is top most on everyone’s list! How we have become the slaves of our phones!
Thank you for visiting! 🙂
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Sounds great! Agree with you completely that we have become slaves of the technology. We spend more time with the machines rather than people. Hope you succeed in your new habit Shilpa. Let all of us imbibe this good habit.
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Yes, the people and the world around us that we need to focus on as opposed to the phones that get us nowhere! 🙂
Thank you for visitingl Rashmi!
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It is a great change indeed that can solve many of our problems but I tried it and was only able to do it for couple of days. Just like today I am staying late to complete many tasks that are pending. But I really need to work on implementing it for my own sake
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I feel a need to introduce a new change in my life. I get bored by routine. All the best for quitting coffee. I want to do that too.
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Who else can better understand this post than a Geminian myself!! This is a great reminder for me to switch off the phone at night, and take up something that I love more,Reading!
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Hey, fellow Gemini!
Do try out this detox.I am sure you will feel wonderful!
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Developing healthy habits is always difficult in the beginning but if you successfully do it then there is no looking back. You would be the happiest version of yourself then. Cant’s agree more on your thoughts about staying away from the phone before 9 am and after 9pm.
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That is so true, Medha! If we get used to doing something good for our health and it becomes a habit, then it is the best thing we will be doing for ourselves!
Thank you for visiting!
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It is really so therapeutic to leave your phone aside and have some peaceful time. Hope to start with this regime too.
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It is peaceful, indeed! Thank you for visiting, Pooja!
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Good luck with that! Sure a good thing to try. I have no notifications on my phone so that makes life easier. Also, as I hit bed I turn off the data. You are right that there is no right time to make a change like this. 🙂
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I too turn off the Wi-Fi when I want peace. And it sure feels so good!
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I would want to be part of the change. I would love to change a few things/habits of my life. Amazing post.. really motivated me
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Change is good, if looked at in the right way.
Thank you for visiting! 🙂
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Loved it! Should try…will surely let you know how does it go. 🙂
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Wish you the best!
Thanks for visiting!
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Restricting screen-time is such a big task these days. Everyone is struggling .
Nice post and ideas
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Thank you Iram!
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Lovely post Shipa. The ‘damn’ smart phones and the obsessive urge to be always hooked on to social media is one of the major causes of depression these days. Good that you have decided to spend less time on it 🙂
#MyFriendAlexa #ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Do Visit https://manasmukul.wordpress.com/ and share your experience.
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Yes, Manas. The smart phones need to be shown we are smarter! 🙂
Will visit soon!
Thank you!
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12 hours of no-gadget time does so many wonders to the mind. Also, time management is more effective as we know that everything must end at 9 pm and only begin at 9 am the next morning. Really useful tips shared here by you. Thank you. Keep writing. Looking forward to reading more posts from you. #MyFriendAlexa #MayuraReads
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Oh yes, that’s what I have been realizing since these past few days. The kind of work I finish in all that time I wasted in my phone surprises me and embarrasses me, too. Glad I realised the importance of keeping the phone away.
Thank you so much for visiting! 🙂
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One should always push themselves away from anything before it becomes habit. either it is good or bad
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Oh yes… Letting something become a habit is allowing it to have a control over you.
Thank you for visiting! 🙂
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All the best with the digital detox Shilpa! 9pm to 9am sounds like a lot, but I suppose if you plan your day well, it is doable… i hope i had a similar will power!
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It sure is doable, Anks. Will power and a planned schedule needs to be our top priority…
Thank you!
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Yes, weak will power does not help!!
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Yes I too read this post by Vasantha and it had a similar impact on me. But sadly I forgot all about it the next day. Your post has inspired me once again and I shall follow this practice starting today. I am sure it makes a positive difference to your life.
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WIsh you the best, Nayantara!
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its good to change while you have time. i am off junk food now for a few weeks that is!
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That’s good too, Tina! Wish you the best!!
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We Geminians do like challenges, don’t we? I would fail so bad in this challenge. Yeah, life wasn’t so rushed before smartphones invaded our lives. Good luck with the challenge. 😀
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Thank you my dear fellow Geminian!!💕💕
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Thanks for the mention, Shilpa! Happy that my post inspired many to get into the digital detox diet. Let us rock!!!
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Oh yes, Vasantha!! Let’s do that! 👍👍
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Healthy habits, once they actually become habits , give us a huge mental boost…There is no feeling like the feeling that I am capable to sticking to something good, even if there are distractions surrounding us! I hope this post will inspire me as well 🙂
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I loved the way you put it, Haimanti! Just developing good habits is so inspiring!
Thank you for visiting!
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On most days, I sleep by 10/10/30 and I check my phone by 9 am in the morning. This is also good I guess.
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This is very good, Tamanna!! 👍
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Agree with you dear and would like to take up this challenge . Let’s see what would be the result.
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I hope you get good results! 🙂
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I am definitely going to work over it.
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That would be nice, Nidhi! I hope it helps you, too! 🙂
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It’s 4 am and typing this out thinking I should probably get back to sleeping. I really need to join this digital detox plan for sure!
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Oh, yes, please do! Don’t torture yourself this way! Take a break!
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I agree, it is easier said than done. But for me I doubt I can do what you have i.e. leave the phone post 9 pm. I can see my phone with ease after 9 am. That won’t be tough. But gradually I have realized the amount of time I can waste by scrolling on my phone.
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Yes, scrolling through the news feed takes away a lot of our time and we don’t even realise it! Now, it’s 10 days since I began and some times I don’t even want to pick up the phone!I guess that is some improvement!:P
Thank you for visiting!
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This is important! Loved this article! #Viddhreads #Myfriendalexa
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Thank you Vidhya!
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I so need to develop this habit. The no screen habit. Actually I can do with many basic habits, like getting in a routine, less screen time, time management. Gosh there is a lot. N after the baby my life has gone haywire. Bookmarking this post and hoping to return often to stay on track for developing a habit. #LiveItYoungReads #MyFriendAlexa
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This has been such an eye opener, reaching for my phone when I get out of bed and scrolling through social media right before I go to sleep seems like such a normal ritual. But we don’t realise the effects it has on our precious time! Recently I’ve felt as though I need to take my phone whereever I go, to the kitchen, to watch tv etc. Once I started the 9am 9pm habit, I fell off the track soon after. How do I keep going?
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P.s I shared this post to my social media! I hope you don’t mind. I think it’s a very simple and useful tip to keep mindful habits.
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Thank you so much!! It’s an honour! 🙏
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That is the first thing we all do–reach for our phone. I would read about the ill-effects of this habit, I couldn’t get myself to kick my habit. But, some time back, i realised how much of my precious time I was wasting in the mornings. So, one day, I just made up mind that I would not touch my phone till I finished all my morning chores. And, it worked so well! Of course, I do fall off the track sometimes, but I time myself. No more than 15 minutes and after checking any messages, I switch off the wi-fi.
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