Sunday Weekly: an idea for lessening stimulation
It's hard living in a dopamine economy where almost everything we do spikes our dopamine. Here's an idea of how to get out of the cycle. Plus, quotes, recs, and more!
It’s easier than ever to distract ourselves away from feeling emotions.
Our society is a dopamine economy where almost everything we do and touch has dopamine-spiking effects.
Smartphones, TVs, the internet, GrubHub, Postmates, etc.
If we’re waiting for a person or company to make it stop, it’s a lost cause.
We’ll die before that ever happens.
This is why we must create an environment for ourselves that lessens stimulation.
Doing so returns our dopamine threshold to a regular range, and we can feel joy again during regular activities.
Ones like cooking, playing with our children, reading, and more.
For the remainder of June, each TGS email will have one idea for lessening stimulation.
If you want to receive the ones I send during the week, click here.
I hope they spark inspiration and get you started to take back your life.
1. Single Tasking
This is a habit I’ve been working on for over a year: single-tasking.
I used to have fifteen tabs open on my computer with the TV on in the background while answering texts simultaneously.
After noticing how much this ping-ponging habit drained me, I decided that single-tasking seemed non-negotiable.
When we focus on one task at a time, we get into a state of flow.
We feel less overwhelmed and more satisfied with the things we do.
Single-tasking is challenging because it requires us to embrace limitations and be willing to say no to everything but the one thing we decide to do.
With so many quick, cheap feedback loops, why would we want to say no to everything?
We must do so if we want to get centered again.
In Action
Test out having as few tabs open on your computer as possible.
Or eating lunch in silence.
A different yet great way to incorporate single-tasking is by having a time and place for everything.
For example, you watch TV or catch up on YouTube videos once a week rather than doing it daily, where it becomes a habit.
Same with scheduling meetings.
Make them only on one or two days if possible.
Batching like tasks with like tasks makes the brain efficient and less sporadic.
In what way do you already single-task?
What’s the first thing you’d do if you started single-tasking today?
Here are tips two and three if you want to read the other tips shared during the week.
Francesca
PS. I LOVE hearing from you. Please share any thoughts or insights by leaving a comment below.
Did this spark anything for you today? Tell us in the comments. I love hearing from you, and you never know who else needs what you have to say!
Good Quote
Popular on the Blog
Stimulation is the new drug - Why overstimulation is a problem and choosing where you get your dopamine important.
How to do a 48-hour dopamine detox - Clear steps on what to do and the benefits of detoxing.
Five doable tips for nurturing Creativity as a writer - Plus, tweaks for all my parents out there. I see you!
Good Thinking
Good Action
Schedule one moment of rest every day this week. Take one hour of non-stimulating time just to be. Get yourself in the practice of lessening the stimulation in your environment and see how you feel afterward :).
Good Question
Move up the ladder to higher vibrations by writing at the top of a blank page:
What’s the first thing I'd do if I started single-tasking today?
and see what flows from your pen. No judgment or editing.
Good Book
If you like the idea of single-tasking and want to do the work you feel called to do, this book is a must-read. In a world that makes you feel irrelevant if you're not on social media 24/7, it's tough to know what to do, delegate, or delete.
Cal Newport challenges the norm in Deep Work. He believes we can make a bigger impact not through social media but by doing work no one else can replicate—essentially by focusing on what YOU can uniquely bring into the world.
If you want to find focus in a distracted world this book is for you!
Sparks of Joy
Family time: Matt had a day off last week, and it was so much fun being together as a family. We watched Euro Cup matches and played with Gigi.
Good meals: Although I'm not as close to my health goals as I'd like, I enjoy cooking and making healthy dinners. Also, eating as a family makes it even more enjoyable.
Sleeping better: I started taking progesterone for my night terrors, and it's been working wonderfully. It feels incredible to sleep deeper and feel relief.
New keyboard: We have a new keyboard, and I'm starting piano lessons again. It's exciting to get back into music.
Extra Goodies
Good Read: A thought-provoking piece on a writer's major regret about the pictures in her camera roll. This changed how I plan on taking pictures forever.
Good Quote: James Clear on buying back your time:
"The obvious way to buy back your time is to pay someone to do something for you. Pay the mechanic to change your oil or a dry cleaner to press your suit.
The less obvious way to buy back your time is to say no. Passing on a promotion might "buy" you more time with family. Declining the dinner invite might "pay" for the time you need to exercise. We buy back our time not only with the money we spend, but also with the opportunities we decline.
The more clearly you know how you want to spend your days, the easier it becomes to say no to the requests that steal your hours."Good Recipe: This Healthy Mango, Avocado & Cucumber Salad.
Good Post: A myth about manifesting we busted on The Good Space Instagram.
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