The digital age has opened up a whole range of possibilities when it comes to the way we spend our time. Even while away from home, it is easy to remain super connected to everyone. This can be a wonderful thing, but it can also be a drain on our attention and a distraction from the activities that really bring us fulfillment. Humans are not wired to be constantly hyper-focused.
Digital nomad showing off good digital habits
So, how can we deal with this? The problem might seem overwhelming, but we can chip away at it with the right habits and tricks.
Related: Life after falling out of Nomadic Samuel’s top 100
Clean Up Your Home Screen
The applications on your phone’s home screen are the first thing that greets you when you unlock it. If you have to navigate an additional step to find what you’re looking for, then you’ll introduce extra mental effort that might stop you from bothering to search for an app in the first place.
The home screen should be reserved not just for the apps that you use frequently, but also for those that you want to use frequently. It’s fine to bury those social media apps, but a few links to your music player, calculator, and notes can be fantastic.
Use Tools That Respect Your Time
Traveling in the modern days has never been easier, with many apps available to help us on our journey. It is important to look at apps that help you to spend your time wisely and avoid mental clutter. You might use a focus timer to keep yourself engaged during deep study or work sessions and email filters to ensure that you’re only looking at essential communications.
Calendar apps are among the most powerful tools we have available. Make sure that you are familiar with yours, adding in any important bookings or events. When you understand all of the features, you’ll be much more likely to reach for the application when you need it.
Protect Your Privacy Without Overthinking It
Privacy should be a major concern whenever you’re using the internet, especially if you rely on public wifi regularly. After all, you don’t want to expose your data to malicious actors who might exploit that data. At the same time, if your approach to privacy involves constant vigilance, then you’re likely to feel overburdened by concern, and eventually, you’ll slip up.
By using the right VPN for iPhone, you’ll give yourself the ability to encrypt the data you send and retrieve and conceal it from your ISP, all with a single button press. That means peace of mind and privacy that’s effortless.
Streamline Your Notifications
Whenever your phone sends you a notification, it’s usually a message from the engagement economy, trying to lure you back in and keep you distracted. Treat your attention like the precious commodity that it is, and safeguard it. Reviewing your settings and turning off distracting notifications can help you to do this proactively and keep you more in the moment.
Make Space for Digital Breaks
It’s vital that you make time to get away from the screen. Schedule screen-free time every day and make a point of occasionally setting aside your phone for longer periods as part of a digital detox. This might help you to replenish your focus and to commit more of it to the things in your life that really produce value, rather than the stream of brain-rotting digital garbage that’s being spoon-fed to you by the social media giants.
Adventure on!
