It's a minimalist Monday edition of optimal living daily episode 514. While I'm scaling back on social media by Tammy Strople of Radkins.com, I'm a very own person narrator, Justin Malek, reading to you from some amazing blogs and books. But I think we'll help you optimize your life. It is minimalist Monday day.
And a common question I see is about minimizing social media. And it's crazy because picking up the smartphone and browsing social media has become the norm for any kind of break. And interaction, it's not. You'll see the Atlantic grocery stores, everyone's on it in waiting rooms, even during pause and conversation.
It's kind of depressing, but understandable. Hopefully, find this post inspirational. I did. And I will get to the post and start optimizing your life.
While I'm scaling back on social media by Tammy Strople of Radkins.com. The coffee bar is my favorite cafe in Redding California. It has an old time vibe and it's got a sweet motorcycle theme. And remember, I had an opportunity to spend time there.
Earlier that day, I dropped my mom off at the doctor for a standard procedure. Rather than waiting for my mom to doctor's office, I decided to go to the coffee bar. I ordered coffee along with the pros and hunker down with my treats at a quarter table. My mind plans didn't include serving the internet for Instagram.
Instead, I wanted to read the Flow Mindfulness workbook, journal, mind map projects for 2017, and people watch. Yet as I sit in my coffee and lunch on my toes, I had a strong urge to open Instagram. Thankfully, I didn't tell about Instagram. Instead, I turned my phone off, put it inside my backpack, and I'd be writing my journal.
Here's a portion of my journal entry from the day. Quote, I feel like I've rewiring my brain into a constantly checking Instagram. And that doesn't feel good. I need to let my mind wander, not checking Instagram every two seconds.
Also, I'm a desire to constantly check Instagram as annoying. I will switch this back. It's time to rethink how I use social media. Oh, and I need to read deep work again.
Unquote. A few days later, I was reading the New York Times morning briefing. It's a little bit in my inbox, I'm on it to Friday. I love it.
Anyway, county boards, I'll be able to quit social media. I got to read your media depend on it, or featured in the briefing. Talk about a standard divot as timing. Calarchal's helpful and the essay reaffirms why I'm scaling back on social media.
Here's how I manage my various social media accounts as well as some thoughts about my decision making process. I'm no longer using my personal Facebook page. To stay in touch with friends and family, I prefer talking on the phone, texting, reading their blog posts, or email updates, sending letters, and having conversations in person. However, I haven't to leave my Facebook account because I'm still utilizing my Facebook fan page to share my daily photo, blog posts, and other news with lovely readers.
Devoting information overload, political rans, and that trap of trying to keep up with everyone. I'm following fewer people on Twitter and Instagram. Now, reading blog posts in the news at specific times. Currently, I log on social media once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
Also, I've incorporated the following habits in my routine, all of which I've decreased my crazy twitch to log onto the internet. Number one, before I Google a person, topic, book, or research interest, I write information down in my notebook. Then I'll search for the information that it doesn't need to time. Number two, when I feel the urge to check social media, I ask myself why.
Usually the twitch emerges when I feel uncomfortable or unsure about certain projects. Number three, if I have spare time, I read books, magazines, essays, and blog posts. I don't read on a Kindle anymore, but for paper books. However, if you leave a handy tool to organize a blog, I enjoy reading.
For the last month, I've incorporated these ideas and habits into my creative routine. Overall, my new habits have made a difference in my daily life. The twitch to log on Instagram, for example, is growing smaller and smaller every day. Also, if you're more creative, productive, grounded, and I'm not sounding judging folks for sharing fake news stories on Facebook.