Sunday Weekly: what role will dopamine play in your life?
Dopamine disorders are a real thing, and it’s happening because of everyday habits we wouldn’t usually question. Plus, an inspiring quote, affirmation, and resources to kick start the week!
It was a pleasure learning about dopamine detoxing and the influence society has on dopamine disorders this month.
If you missed my emails during the week, check them out here.
I don't think it's a coincidence I came across the term brain rot before writing this.
Have you heard of it?
It describes what happens to our minds when we spend too much time consuming cheap content.
The Newport Institute, a residential center for teens, says:
“Brain rot is a condition of mental fogginess, lethargy, reduced attention span, and cognitive decline that results from an overabundance of screen time.”
Sounds a lot like the effects of overstimulation.
They continue to say:
“Consequences of brain rot include difficulty organizing information, solving problems, making decisions, and recalling information.”
We're not meant to process the amount of information and stimuli we do.
No wonder it isn't easy to cope.
If we’re feeding our minds meaningless data and negative news (doom-scrolling), it’s draining its precious energy to process that instead of something more meaningful and positive.
Trading dopamine habits for happiness
Dopamine disorders are a real thing, and it’s happening because of everyday habits we wouldn’t usually question.
And our society will only make it harder to change those habits.
I hope this month gave you the knowledge and ideas to decide what role social media, smartphones, and other dopamine-spiking habits will play in your life.
Or at least the awareness of when we're distracting ourselves from our feelings. This was the biggest takeaway for me.
And yes, we’ll be in the minority if we choose to get our dopamine in check, but wow, how much happier and present we’ll be.
As a bonus, people will see the change and want to do the same.
That’s the only way society can regain its agency.
No company will ever make that decision for us.
How will you proceed after learning about dopamine-spiking behaviors and ways to regulate them? I’m curious to hear your takeaways.
My commitment
Here’s what I plan to do moving forward:
Prioritize single-tasking
Go analog as much as possible - drive to the store instead of prime, cook, etc.
Deliberate practice every day - learn piano, write, and do other activities that stretch my skills and expand what I’m good at. Doing things that don’t have immediate feedback is good for normalizing dopamine.
Declutter the house - this made me so excited because it’s a dopamine regulator that happens in the background. The only thing I need to do is declutter and maintain that. It’ll support my healing on autopilot.
It’ll be hard to discipline myself, so I plan to take it a chunk at a time.
That’ll be a gradual change, but it's worth it.
If you want to share your commitment with the TGS community, tell us in the comments :)
Francesca
PS. This month's theme changed my life. I can't tell you how grateful I am we get to dive deep every month into one topic rather than skim the surface and move on. It makes a real difference. I hope it does for you, too.
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
Pick one area or corner of your home to clean or organize. Taking a page from the Home Taylored playbook, it's more manageable to pick one project daily than a whole house. A project can be as small as cleaning out a junk drawer or as big as power cleaning the driveway. The goal is to make some progress and not aim for perfection.
Good Question
Move up the ladder to higher vibrations by writing at the top of a blank page:
What would that look like if I were to visualize feeling the best I possibly can?
and see what flows from your pen. No judgment or editing.
Good Book
If you've ever felt worried about not knowing who you truly are Infinite Possibilities by Mike Dooley is a must-read. Not only will you discover who you are but you'll also raise your energy and better handle lower energy around you.
This is the first audiobook I've listened to where, after listening, my energy vibrates at a level of strength and expansion. Not only do people around me feel it, but moments have been manifesting left and right with total ease.
Manifesting and creating a life you love starts first with our beliefs. We can only see what's possible and receive that which we believe. This book helps you understand the mechanics and absolute truths of the law of attraction and inspires you like nothing else.
This is a book I'll also get in print so I can re-read some of the powerful ideas.
Buy Infinite Possibilities here.
Sparks of Joy
Fresh pictures: I did a photoshoot with a friend and finally updated the pictures on my copywriting website and social media! It feels so good.
Euro Cup: My life feels centered around Euro Cup matches right now. I love football and played it for most of my youth. The teams are incredible, and wow, that Italian goalie!!
Hugs: Gigi learned to give hugs this week, and my husband and I are in puddles on the floor.
Juicy: The lemons and limes I cut open this week were extraordinarily ripe. Extracting the juice took zero effort, and it made me grateful for the juiciness of life. There’s a lot to squeeze out of it when we allow moments to “ripen.”
Extra Goodies
Good Read: American Women Are at a Breaking Point. (The Atlantic)
Good Poem: A stunning poem by Pavi Mehta questioning the idea of endings and about how the edges of things are always deceptive:
"the edges of things are always deceptive.
because we are taught to believe
in endings and beginnings.
but the truth is:
There Are No Borders.
and all boundaries are lines
drawn in the imagination
(like the equator)
people like to put things
in their places.
(we believe in belonging
somewhere) . . ."
Read the rest hereGood Recipe: This Blue Zone-approved recipe for Elote (Mexican Street Corn) is on my radar.
Good Watch: Black Barbie is a powerful and touching documentary about the women who made the first black Barbie happen.
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