Find balance with tech and rediscover presence. Dr. G offers practical tips to unplug without going off-grid. Experience the joy of boredom, deepen connections, and reclaim your attention. It's time to reconnect with yourself and the world around you.
Ever feel like your phone gets in the way of, well, everything? We get it. This week, we're sharing some helpful ideas (& a giveaway!) from Dr. G and Mudita. They are sharing a practical look at finding more presence without ditching your tech completely. Might be just the thing to support your practice right now.
I have always been curious by nature. I love learning, exploring ideas, and expanding my understanding of the world. When the mobile internet arrived, it felt like a dream. I could learn anything, anytime, anywhere. In college, I had my phone with me constantly. I grew up in a world with zero phones and suddenly found myself connected to everything and everyone.
At first, it felt harmless, even helpful. Then it went from normal to pathological fairly quickly.
In 2016, when I started using social media professionally, my phone turned into a tool I depended on. The constant pinging of work notifications and the pressure to be ever-present on social platforms began to take a toll. The lines between my work and personal life blurred completely. There were no more boundaries.
I did not notice the cost at first. It happened slowly. After almost 10 years of heavy phone use, I began to feel something shift. My mind was foggy. I struggled to focus. My creativity was fading. I blamed mold, Lyme, viruses, stress, everything except the thing in my hand. Why would I? It was, of course, a comforting constant in my life.
But every time I went away into nature, no phone, no noise, my mind changed. Within 48 to 72 hours my brain fog lifted. I felt present, imaginative, alive. It was undeniable. Something about my normal life was dimming me.
The constant scroll repeatedly spikes dopamine. Every video, headline, like, and notification delivers a hit. Quick hits train the brain to seek fast stimulation at the cost of nervous system regulation. The slow, natural dopamine rise that comes from things like sunlight, reading, hiking, sex, music, love, and human presence becomes “boring” by comparison. Our brains are not built for nonstop stimulation.
But here is what shook me the most. I had become allergic to stillness. I forgot how to be bored. And boredom is not a problem, it can be healing medicine. Neuroscience shows that boredom activates the Default Mode Network, the brain system responsible for reflection, emotional processing, memory consolidation, and creativity. When we eliminate boredom from our life we eliminate depth from our life.
Last year on a hike in Yosemite I caught myself thinking I would rather be on my phone watching videos than standing in front of one of the greatest natural cathedrals on Earth. That was my wake up call. I needed a shift.
Here are some tangible tips that helped me create a healthier relationship with technology:
I use these practices to reclaim my attention. To protect my neurons. To think clearly. To feel again. To return to presence.
The benefit? I am painting and rapping again. I am more present than ever with my partner, I am, dare I say, enjoying boredom!? It is a game changer.
Reclaiming your attention may be the most healing thing you ever do for your brain, your focus, your mood, your heart, and your relationships.
Because the truth is this our body craves peace and connection and the #1 disruptor is right next to us. It is time to come back to you.
We think presence—real, undivided attention—is what truly matters. Our partners at Mudita, who thoughtfully design minimalist tech, are giving you a chance to win two Mudita Kompakt phones. One to help find your own balance between connection and calm, and another for you to give someone special you'd love to spend more quality, distraction-free time with. They’ll pick five winning entries that best capture the spirit of disconnection!
The Mudita Kompakt was designed for those who crave balance – a minimalist phone with just enough smart features to stay connected without the constant noise. With its calm interface, gentle E Ink display, and mindful design, it helps you slow down, focus, and live with greater intention. It’s technology that gives you back your time.
