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</p><p id="2a0b">With my phone, I wonder if anyone reacted to my latest FB post or IG reel. I open the Medium app to start a new story and get sucked down the rabbit hole of checking stats, responding to comments, or reading interesting articles.</p><p id="277d">I have put myself on the throne of my life, instead of God.</p><h2 id="48f6">Relaxation</h2><p id="2414">Without my phone, I practice breathwork. I take deep breaths and extend my exhales. Meditating on my breath calms my racing heart or worried mind and lowers my blood pressure. It also sets me up to connect to the still, small voice within that guides me and puts me in touch with God’s Spirit.</p><p id="9099">With my phone, I open apps to jot down shopping lists, add books to my Kindle wish list, or get sucked into a job search on Linked In.</p><p id="2cc4">The rabbit trails are endless, and one app leads to another as muscle memory and habit take over, defeating my best intentions for a contemplative morning. Distraction takes hold and ruins my concentration for the rest of the day.</p><p id="a2a6">Once I bring my mind back to awareness, I chide myself for whittling away this valuable and sacred time. I vow to do better <i>tomorrow</i>.</p><p id="65f6"><a href="https://readmedium.com/97c1dc276e67">Distractions abound.</a> It’s likely one of the greatest ills we face as spiritual believers in this modern age. Make a plan today to eliminate one distraction from your life.</p><div id="3e8c" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/distractions-will-bring-you-down-if-you-dont-have-a-plan-97c1dc276e67"> <div> <div> <h2>Distractions Will Bring You Down If You Don’t Have a Plan</h2> <div><h3>Don't create problems by letting distractions take you away from your most important work</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div>

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    </div><blockquote id="3be0"><p>There are some scientific reasons as to why checking your phone first thing in the morning may affect your productivity and mental health for the rest of the day. — <a href="https://www.makeuseof.com/you-shouldnt-check-phone-wake-up/#:~:text=When%20your%20first%20activity%20in,on%20the%20task%20at%20hand.">MakeUseof.com</a></p></blockquote><p id="852e">👉🏼 You are forcing your brain to skip important stages of the waking-up process.</p><p id="032f">👉🏼 You set yourself up to feel unproductive by attending to overnight notifications, sending your brain the signal that you are already “behind” for the day.</p><p id="b40e">👉🏼 Your day's tone is set by notifications, social media, or news, instead of your intentions.</p><p id="cae6">👉🏼 You’re setting your brain up for dopamine hits throughout the day.</p><p id="0dd8"><b>I encourage you to try my experiment and let me know how you feel after a few days. </b>

Are you more in tune with God? Do you find yourself less distracted throughout the day? Are you gaining a sense of control over technology?</p><p id="659c"><b>Pray:</b> Father, forgive me for living in a distracted state. I commit my ways to you and make a vow today to leave distractions behind. Your ways are higher than I can even understand. I pour my heart and my mind into seeking you. Today, I will set aside technology to be with you.</p><p id="8868">Mary knows what living a distracted and discontented life can do to one’s soul. She’s committed to helping others make space and time for God. In <a href="https://medium.com/the-decluttered-soul">The Decluttered Soul</a>, you can learn more about living a focused and decluttered life.</p></article></body>

Unplug From Your Phone for a More Meaningful Morning

The impact of technology on your morning routine

I have been experimenting with my phone use lately. Some mornings, I leave it plugged in on the nightstand while I escape to the recliner with my journal and Bible.

Other mornings the phone comes with me.

I doubt you’ll be surprised by the results of my experimentation, but let’s walk through them together because we all need daily reminders of how technology is distracting us from the most important things.

Meditation

I can see the sunrise from my recliner, and I believe that it is always worth rising early for a sunrise. I love to watch the colors shift from deep red and purple to orange to yellow and gold as the sun makes its way into the sky to start on its daily journey.

Without my phone, I watch the subtle but intense change and meditate on God’s Faithfulness.

With my phone, I check the shipping status of my Swiss-filtered decaf coffee, remember to add doggy poo bags to my Amazon cart, or get curious about the status of my pending submission to a Medium publication.

When I remember to look back, I have missed the sunrise. A few seconds on my phone has bloated into 10 or 15 minutes, and the sun has made its grand entrance without me.

Prayer time

Without my phone, I pray in authentic conversation with God. I pour out my adoration and sing praise, with thanksgiving, for all he is and provides.

With my phone, I wonder if anyone reacted to my latest FB post or IG reel. I open the Medium app to start a new story and get sucked down the rabbit hole of checking stats, responding to comments, or reading interesting articles.

I have put myself on the throne of my life, instead of God.

Relaxation

Without my phone, I practice breathwork. I take deep breaths and extend my exhales. Meditating on my breath calms my racing heart or worried mind and lowers my blood pressure. It also sets me up to connect to the still, small voice within that guides me and puts me in touch with God’s Spirit.

With my phone, I open apps to jot down shopping lists, add books to my Kindle wish list, or get sucked into a job search on Linked In.

The rabbit trails are endless, and one app leads to another as muscle memory and habit take over, defeating my best intentions for a contemplative morning. Distraction takes hold and ruins my concentration for the rest of the day.

Once I bring my mind back to awareness, I chide myself for whittling away this valuable and sacred time. I vow to do better tomorrow.

Distractions abound. It’s likely one of the greatest ills we face as spiritual believers in this modern age. Make a plan today to eliminate one distraction from your life.

Distractions Will Bring You Down If You Don’t Have a Plan

Don't create problems by letting distractions take you away from your most important work

medium.com

There are some scientific reasons as to why checking your phone first thing in the morning may affect your productivity and mental health for the rest of the day. — MakeUseof.com

👉🏼 You are forcing your brain to skip important stages of the waking-up process.

👉🏼 You set yourself up to feel unproductive by attending to overnight notifications, sending your brain the signal that you are already “behind” for the day.

👉🏼 Your day's tone is set by notifications, social media, or news, instead of your intentions.

👉🏼 You’re setting your brain up for dopamine hits throughout the day.

I encourage you to try my experiment and let me know how you feel after a few days. Are you more in tune with God? Do you find yourself less distracted throughout the day? Are you gaining a sense of control over technology?

Pray: Father, forgive me for living in a distracted state. I commit my ways to you and make a vow today to leave distractions behind. Your ways are higher than I can even understand. I pour my heart and my mind into seeking you. Today, I will set aside technology to be with you.

Mary knows what living a distracted and discontented life can do to one’s soul. She’s committed to helping others make space and time for God. In The Decluttered Soul, you can learn more about living a focused and decluttered life.