I’ve been doing an experiment of sorts lately where I check to see how I’m doing before I start scrolling through my phone. It’s a tip I heard from a Matthew McConaughey interview. In it, he said one of his life advice tips is to check in with yourself before you check in with the world. Spend ten or fifteen minutes in your own head before you start interacting with the online world.
Some people don’t need to do this. Their phone seems to have no negative impact on their morning. For me, there’s a marked difference in my overall sense of well-being when I take some time to drink my coffee and just sit before I start scrolling through endless tweets with bleary eyes.
Now that I’m attempting to become more mindful in general I’ve noticed that I can almost watch the gas tank of my mental well-being start to plummet if I start the day checking social media.
Along with ice baths, breathing, exercise, and a host of other simple remedies I’m starting to lift the fog as to what materials it takes to build myself a happier day.
Checking in with myself before I check in with the world is just another brick.
I’ve noticed that my good days or bad days aren’t dependent on what goes on outside my body and mind. Outside stimulus, in most cases, has virtually zero effect on whether or not I’ll have a pleasant day.
Maybe this brick isn’t useful for you. But give it a try. If you usually check your phone first thing in the morning try spending the first few minutes without it. Check-in with yourself first and see what that does to your overall mood.
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I really think social media might be the culprit here. I have a similar habit of starting the day with my phone but I’m excited to see what shows up in my email inbox (notifications of favorite blog posts), texts (friends), and writing by smart people, e.g. The Atlantic. Maybe skip social media and see if that’s the source.
Yes, I agree. Starting the day with social media is a recipe for disaster for me. I still need to give myself a few minutes to wake up before I even start to read things I enjoy but just avoiding social media for the first little while goes a long way.
Great post and great advice. I like this framing. I’ve noticed I tend to get distracted easily and waste time when I look at my phone first thing in the morning.
I don’t do Facebook, don’t do Twitter, no Instagram. Just email and texts and blogs. Maybe that’s why I have no detectable level of stress.
Love this! I think it’s the same as the principle behind “morning pages.” Be with your own thoughts before you start letting the influences in…