Here we are. Another turn of a year. Another opportunity to look forward. Another chance to make New Year’s resolutions.

Which I hate.

And you may already know that.

I’m not a fan of resolutions anymore because when we fall off track, our reaction is to get angry with ourselves for “failing”. When we do that, we often feel even more miserable than before we set the New Year’s resolutions to begin with.

So I’m going to throw the whole New Year’s resolution concept on its head. Are you in? Wanna hear what this is all about?

There’s a mindful practice, a Buddhist practice, a Zen practice — a very powerful practice — of letting go of what no longer serves you. Most of us want to be happy in our lives, and to be able to let go of the things that make us unhappy, or suffer. Often, we become so obsessed with the way we want things to be that we lose sight of what is, and as a result lose any opportunity for being at peace with ourselves. 

However, there are things you can control, and small changes can make a big difference in your life. All you have to do is, well, do it.

Does this sound like you? Do you want to make a small but powerful change that can have a significant impact on your life? If so, read on. I found a wonderful, inspirational challenge to give you more space in your life by letting go of what no longer serves you — starting with your addiction to digital habits. 

Join me in making this change, won’t you?

DAY ONE
Observe yourself. First check your digital habits. When you do, you’ll most likely be shocked by what you discover. Accurately pay attention to how often you check your phone. And what are you checking? Social media? Texts? The weather? Missed phone calls? Email that isn’t important? Is your phone always in your hand? Do you use it when you’re with another person? Do you take it into the bathroom? None of this serves you. None of it.

DAY TWO
Keep your devices out of reach while in motion. So no walking and texting. No using your device while you’re on the treadmill or at a cycle class or taking part in any other physical activity. Instead, let your mind wander. It’s okay. Letting your mind wander is a good thing. Your daily addiction to technology doesn’t serve you.

DAY THREE
Take a photo-free day. That means no pics of kids, kittens, food–nothing. See the world through your eyes, not the lens of your screen. You’ll feel withdrawals. That’s normal. You’re going to be okay. Trust me on this. Taking photos of everything, seeing life through your mobile phone, doesn’t serve you.

DAY FOUR
Delete that app. Take the one app you can’t live without and trash it. Don’t worry. You’ll be okay. You lived through Day Three, and you’ll live through Day Four, too. Ask yourself–is this product serving me or hurting me? Odds are this one app has taken over your life, and odds are, deep down, you don’t like that it did. So let it go. It doesn’t serve you.

DAY FIVE
Take a fakecation. You’ll be in the office but out of touch. Decide how long you need. An hour? An afternoon? Twenty minutes? If there’s no way your boss will let you off the grid for an hour, then make it a point to set aside time that night. The important thing is to set a fixed time and stick to it. Busyness doesn’t serve you.

DAY SIX
Observe something else. Reclaim the art of noticing. Go somewhere public and stay there for a while. The mall, a cafe, the hallway at work or at school. Once you’re there, hang out and watch. People or birds, anything that strikes your fancy. If you feel uncomfortable lingering in one spot and observing, then do it while you walk, and see what you would have missed had your nose been buried in your phone. Because your nose buried in your phone doesn’t serve you.

Try it out. Let go of technology that doesn’t serve you. Then tell me how you do.

This content was wonderfully curated by the folks at mindful.org and I’m not taking any credit for anything posted here. All copyrights belong to the people who thought up these wonderful life changes that will make you happier.

 Namaste 

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