"Sometimes, having a bad day is not about cheering yourself up but about not making yourself feel any worse." — “It’s just one of those days,” I tell my partner as he finds me sitting under a blanket on the couch instead of behind my desk working on a new article. I’ve been having many of ‘those days’ lately. Maybe it’s just one of those seasons. Tough times can’t be…

Daily micro-habits to help you be more focused and calm every day. — Research shows the majority of Americans spend a full waking month out of every year on their phone. Approaching my second year of being a digital minimalist and Instagram-free, I can say from experience that efforts to quit your favorite social media platform and unplugging from your phone can prove…

Offline habits to get rid of mental clutter, insecurity, and distraction. — Whether you’re seeking presence, peace, focus, or productivity, tackling your social media consumption is the place to start. A 2022 study found that taking a week off social media not only frees up to nine hours per week but also can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. After two years…

When I dropped these distracting smartphone habits, I unlocked my full productive potential. — Over the past two years, my productivity has skyrocketed. No, I don't take cognitive supplements, drink bulletproof coffee, or track my sleep with an Oura ring. Instead, I've researched and tackled what I think is modern day's biggest enemy to deep focus: our smartphones. Here are 10 things I avoid…

How to live a modern and up-to-date life without feeling overwhelmed and stressed to the max. — Digital minimalism isn’t perfectionism. I believe I’m a digital minimalist not for the amount of time I spend on my phone but for being intentional about my digital habits. For me, digital minimalism is about using the technological features that are essential to me and simplifying how I use them…

When I started using these 10 strategies, I finally took back my life. — For most of us, our smartphones are as much a part of our day-to-day life as brushing our teeth or clocking in for work. The ubiquity of this tool is why trying to spend less time on your phone can be confusing. When you have to use your smartphone every…

Boost your (offline) confidence with these simple ideas. — In 1752, English critic Samuel Johnson wrote: We had enough talk, but not enough conversation. Our social world looks nothing like it did back in 1752, but Johnson’s statement might now be more accurate than ever. Nowadays, most people would rather send a text message than hear a voice on…

Or at least take a serious break. — Many things that make you feel better in the short term make you feel worse in the long term. Junkfood Alcohol Porn Social media If you consume the former three in high amounts, it’s called an addiction. …

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” — I suffer from something I like to call ‘productivity guilt.’ 90% Of the time, I end a day feeling like I could have done more. We live in a world that’s constantly sending out the message that we need to do more, know more, and be more. But writer Sinem…