How to start your day right.

99-SECOND READ

'With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.'

Eleanor Roosevelt.

Do you also remember what it was like to start your day without looking at a screen, social media, checking the news, weather or responding to WhatsApp, slack, teams or emails?

Recently I thought back to 2007 when I was 18. I woke up to a radio alarm clock. 

I owned a Sony Erickson Phone, which was cool because it had a joystick and a colour screen. That device could only notify me of a phone call or a text message. 

I was reflecting on how clear-headed I used to feel, and how good it was to start the day reflecting, thinking, planning, and feeling present with myself or engaging with people around me. I decided it seemed better than the 2023 norm of waking up to my Samsung Galaxy S20, which (even in do-not-disturb mode, with notifications turned off) pulls me in from the moment I wake up. Whether I want to check the weather or glance at my calendar, it immediately directs my thoughts, feelings and focus for the morning. 

So a couple of weeks before Christmas, I began this simple experiment. 

Before bed, I put my phone in flight mode and left it on my desk. I kept my Kindle Fire next to the bed, which has no form of communication or notifications but does contain books, music and an alarm clock. Every morning I would complete my morning routine before touching my phone. Routine: brush teeth, meditate, 20-minute stretch, journal and a gratitude exercise with coffeeee. 

After one month of doing this, I can tell you that the results have been subtle yet profound. My day begins more intentionally, I feel more clear-headed and focused. I feel less drawn to my phone and find myself more able to detach from it throughout the day. I don't miss any of the media that would usually distract me. For the last two weeks, I've often been in the pool at 6 a.m. for a swim, in that case, I don't check my phone until after I get back and sit down at my desk, I don't feel the need to. My day starts better, there's no doubt. And when your day starts better, it goes better, there's no doubt about that either.

Do I feel like I did in 2007? No, I feel much older!! But I have recaptured some of the mental freedom. This is no longer an experiment, it's my new routine. 

Living consciously means being proactive, it means thinking about what you're doing and why you're doing it and deciding what you want to prioritise and how you want to live. When your smartphone directs your thoughts from the moment you wake up; you are being reactive, not proactive.

I want to invite you to try it too because it will benefit you. Because it will remind you of the importance of uninterrupted thought. Because you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Need an alarm clock? Use an old phone or another device such as an Amazon Echo/Kindle or a watch.

Enjoy. And feel free to share your results.

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