Sometimes I find myself mindlessly scrolling through my phone after completing a task, even though there’s nothing in particular that I’m looking for. I just default go for my phone. It’s a strange feeling, almost like an automatic reaction that you can’t seem to control. You may not even know what you’re looking for, but your brain just craves that stimulation that comes with scrolling through apps and feeds.
But lately, I’ve started to become more aware of this habit and have been making an effort to break away from it. Whenever I catch myself going for my phone after finishing a hard task or bit of code, I put the phone down and take a moment to pause and think. If I haven’t done a ten minute meditation yet then this is a good time for one, or perhaps I’ll jot down some notes in a journal to clear my head and focus on the task at hand – just as I’m doing right now.
I’ve noticed that when I get in front of the urge to reach for my phone and instead take a beat to be present, I can actually feel my brain working and rewiring itself.
I often find myself taking quick breaks between tasks to check Hacker News or other tech sites. But I’ve come to realize that I can take advantage of these breaks and be much more constructive with them. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through headlines and skimming articles, I can write something or go for a walk. A lot of good ideas come to me on my daily walks. This not only gives my brain a break, but it also allows me stay focused on the things that help me get to where I want to go.
Breaking free from the habit of mindless scrolling and using breaks mindfully has had a huge impact on my productivity and overall day-to-day. I highly recommend trying to catch yourself if you find that you’re reaching for your phone throughout the day. I wrote this blog post during one of those times, which seems like a good enough time as any to write some blog posts.