As our world becomes increasingly digitized, it is really important to consider how our digital presence is affecting our lives. Are we satisfied with the amount and type of information we are consuming online? Do we receive far more messages than we can respond to on a regular basis? Do you wish you could simplify the amount of time and energy you devote to digital? If any of these questions resonate with you, it might be time to consider a digital declutter. It's great for your heart, soul, and even your hard drive. My digital declutter series contains 4 parts - email, files and photos, social media, and setting boundaries. Without further ado, here is Part 4 of the Digital Declutter Series - Setting Boundaries.
As I shared in Part 3 of the Digital Decluttering Series, there are only 24 hours in each day. We can't add more hours just because we feel there isn't enough time to do everything. We can, however, choose to spend these hours wisely. Technology can be such a helpful tool. However, we can easily develop unhealthy habits by spending too much time looking at a screen. I am as guilty as anyone. That's why it is so important that we set boundaries concerning technology. Below are 5 tips for setting boundaries in the digital world.
1) Judge your Usage
You may feel like you don't spend too much time online, and that's great! Even so, I'm willing to bet you spend more time online than you realize. There are multiple apps that can help you keep track of the amount of time you spend on certain websites or apps. This is a great way to gauge your use of these sites and determine where you spend the majority of your time. Keep track of this for a few days and notice where the patterns are. Think about which sites/apps are fulfilling you and which are causing you added stress and taking away your valuable time. Then adjust your usage as needed.
2) Set Time Limits
Setting time limits may make you feel like a child, but it's definitely worth considering. When we were children, our parents set limits for us. They told us to put away the sweets, turn off the television, and go to bed. As adults, it's so easy to get caught up in doing whatever we want to do and forget to set limits when needed. If you find yourself spending an hour scrolling Instagram every day but can't find time to workout, you could cut your scrolling time in half and use the extra 30 minutes for a workout. For more information on creating lasting habits, check out my post on Atomic Habits.
3) Use as a Reward
When you allow yourself to be constantly distracted by your devices, you lose a lot of time for more important things. One way to allow yourself to enjoy your phone, computer, or tablet without setting strict limits is to pair this activity with a habit you have already established. If you enjoy browsing social media, do it after you have washed the dishes or done a load of laundry. Use the activity you enjoy as a reward after you have completed something else you need to do.
4) Disable Notifications
One of the best ways to set boundaries in the digital world is disabling notifications. When our phone or computer is constantly dinging or ringing, it is very distracting. Many of us already have difficulty focusing, and this makes it even more problematic. I disabled Facebook notifications on my phone a couple of years ago, and I have never looked back. I can promise you won't forget to check for messages, but at least it will be on your own time rather than when you are in the middle of an important work assignment or trying to spend quality time with your children.
5) Turn off Before Bed
In this highly digitized age, I don't think we realize just how much our usage of screens can affect us. It is recommended that you turn off your devices at least 30 minutes before going to sleep. Too much screen time before bed can disrupt your REM sleep. It can also increase anxiety and lead to trouble falling asleep. You can instead opt to read a book, look at the stars, reflect on the blessings in your life, or do another activity that calms you and doesn't involve a digital screen.
Well, we've reached the end of my Digital Decluttering Series. I really hope these tips help you find more peace and satisfaction in your life. If you missed the other posts in this series, you can check them out below. Thank you so much for reading. I hope your day is fantastic!
Digital Declutter: Part 1: https://www.sierrassimplehome.com/post/digital-declutter-part-1-email
Digital Declutter: Part 2: https://www.sierrassimplehome.com/post/digital-declutter-part-2-files-photos-apps
Digital Declutter: Part 3: https://www.sierrassimplehome.com/post/digital-declutter-part-3-social-media
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