We all have bad habits right? Some of them are worse than others and difficult to navigate away from. So to start my year off on a more positive note, I’m making a few changes.
Mobile phones are almost a necessity now with more and more businesses producing apps and phone users being able to make purchases and book holidays, well, life is now just a touch of a button which is very convenient for all of us. Among the ease of technology is social media which allows us to stay in touch where ever we are. Whether it’s a good or bad thing, I’ve yet to decide but I’m leaning towards good, due to my son living on the other side of the planet.
Towards the end of last year I developed the dreaded bad habit of scrolling. I’ve always been an avid reader and always spent half an hour reading before going to sleep at night. Sounds romantic right? Anyway, I got into the habit of scrolling through Facebook and watching other people painting pictures, talking about their favourite books and visiting hidden destinations that I’m definitely interested in. I’d sit there for an hour sometimes scrolling to the next content and before I knew it I was watching someone clean a dirty carpet. That’s when I decided it had to stop.
It’s difficult to go cold turkey, even with scrolling, but that’s what I did. I made my first change for the year and bought a digital alarm clock. Now when I get into bed at night, my phone and watch are safely charging in the kitchen and I’m cozied up with my latest fictional friends, enjoying their troubles instead of creating my own. It’s not easy and although it’s been a few weeks, I find it weird not reaching for the mobile phone when I get into bed at night but that will pass with time – I hope. What I am finding though, is when I put the book down, I fall into a relaxing night’s sleep with more ease. So the new clock appears to be working, but I guess only time will tell. (Pardon the pun.)
Sandra Maggs 