Maninder, Author at Mindful Mintivation

The Art of Getting Unstuck: Practical Tips for a Fresh Start

Writing for my blog and journal has been difficult for me since the start of the new year. I suddenly found it difficult to come up with ideas that used to come easily to me. I had trouble concentrating, and was unable to write down what was on my mind. Feeling stuck is a common reaction to any change in life. But rather than forcing myself, I decided to let it go and not feel guilty about not achieving my goals. Pushing harder isn’t always the key to growth. Sometimes it’s about taking it easy and allowing yourself time to feel.

What to do when you’re feeling stuck:

Redirect your focus:

There is always something that needs your attention. When I feel stuck, I shift my energy toward what’s in front of me. Whether it’s work or personal life, there’s always something that needs to be done; from household tasks to workplace responsibilities. Instead of overwhelming myself with big goals, I focus on small, daily tasks that are easier to accomplish.

Watch your favorite shows:

I watch TV to relax and be entertained, not to take on the worries of the world, especially when I have no control over them. Yes, it’s important to stay informed, but not at the expense of your mental health. Selecting lighthearted, humorous, or inspiring TV shows and films can help you maintain your peace of mind and mental well-being.

Stick to a regular sleep schedule:

We can all agree that a good night’s sleep makes everything easier to handle. Yes, weekends are tempting and it’s nice to stay up late and relax a little longer. To be honest, though, I go to bed at the same time I do during the week. I’ve discovered that I genuinely enjoy my weekends better when I maintain a consistent sleep schedule. I’m more energetic. I’m feeling better. I accomplish more without getting exhausted.

These are just a few of the things I do to keep going during moments of feeling stuck. I know how easily our thoughts can overtake us, especially when life takes unexpected turns. Keeping up can feel like a real challenge. However, taking deliberate, little steps keeps me grounded.

I am simply sharing what I have found to be helpful in my own personal experience. Perhaps you’ll discover something helpful, or perhaps you’ll come up with your own methods that suit you better. I am fully aware that nothing is 100% effective for everyone.

Nothing I have stated here is particularly noteworthy or brand new, and it’s likely that you’ve read it before. However, if anything, I simply wish to encourage others to try anything that works for you.

The Art of Getting Unstuck: Practical Tips for a Fresh Start Read More »

This Year’s Only Resolution: Just Be Present

Is Spring here yet? Am I the only one who thinks that once we hit the New Year, its time for more sunlight, birds, and flowers? No need to worry, as Spring is not too far off. Once again, I catch myself looking forward to the future and the upcoming Spring season. What happened to my living in the moment! Enjoying this present moment! You see how easily we might lose ourselves to our past or future. Well, I certainly do. It’s a constant reminder to slow down our thoughts.

My resolution for 2026 is to enjoy the present moment. It sounds so simple and yet can be very difficult to achieve. We have read and heard so much about living in the present on social media that we tend to ignore it because it’s overdone, or perhaps we’re all trying to focus on the present. To be honest, I don’t have a simple solution as I’m still learning.

What I can explain are some of the advantages of living in the present moment, which may inspire you to create a plan for maintaining focus.

Increased productivity – We accomplish more when our minds are focused and present. This one really is that simple and straight forward.

Greater Happiness – It is often the case that when we reflect on the past, we are not at our happiest state of mind. We may also have regrets about how things turned out. Planning for the future can either excite us or worry us. Just concentrating on what’s going on and what needs to be done right now gives us a sense of accomplishment and makes us happier.

More control over time – Don’t we often ask ourselves “where did the time go“? 2025 went by so quickly. I can’t recall the time or finish a task when my thoughts are elsewhere. It is completed, but with a distracted mind. We would feel everything we were doing at the time if our minds were present. We would appreciate it and feel as though we were in the present, even though time will still pass. This is the definition of living in the moment.

Both our general well-being and the well-being of people around us improves when we are living in the present. We are more aware of our surroundings and have more energy to do both small and large activities. We focus more on the emotions of others around us. So why not focus entirely on living in the present in 2026? The rest will follow. We can figure out how to incorporate it into our everyday life once we are aware of its advantages.

I will conclude with a favorite quote of mine:

“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” — Unknown

This Year’s Only Resolution: Just Be Present Read More »

How to Make Health a Priority

I am not an expert in health and wellness, but I would like to share my personal experiences and what I do to live a healthy lifestyle. I realize how difficult it can be to stay motivated when life becomes busy, unforeseen challenges arise, and we occasionally slip off track.

In my first blog post, Six Steps to Daily Motivation, I discussed the need of giving oneself time during setbacks. When life becomes overwhelming, give yourself time and space to analyze your emotions rather than forcing yourself to be optimistic.

Returning to the topic of prioritizing health, it is critical that we take care of ourselves, even in difficult times. Without good health, it is difficult to enjoy life and attain our goals.

It is safe to say that one of the most crucial aspects of everyday life that we frequently overlook is our health. We all consume foods that are difficult for our bodies to digest (believe me, I’ve done a lot of that myself). Over time, it starts to wear us down. Some people experience the consequences more quickly, while others take a bit longer or are fine for the rest of their lives. Then there are those who are doing everything “correctly,” but their bodies nonetheless have random health problems. I honestly wish there were clear answers.

As you may be aware, I am a full-time wheelchair user, therefore my body does not get the same amount of exercise that walking or jogging would provide. I am easily prone to weight gain and other health issues. It is much more crucial that I pay great attention to my health. I believe we all understand the need to take care of our health, but how do we motivate ourselves to do so?

This quote comes to mind – “Progress, not perfection, is what we should be asking of ourselves.” — Julia Cameron

Here is how I keep healthy and motivated to achieve my health goals:

Eat home prepared meals – I totally get it! It can be so time-consuming to buy groceries and cook, especially after a long day at work. I previously wrote a blog post called Simple Tips for Maintaining Healthy Eating Habits where I shared some simple ways to make home cooking more manageable. I truly believe that preparing our own meals is an important step in taking control of our health. By doing so, we know exactly what’s going into our food, and over time our bodies start to prefer it. Honestly, once you get used to eating at home, take-outs don’t taste the same. Of course, treating ourselves once in a while is great! My belief is that our bodies are made to handle foods that are close to nature, things like fresh fruits and vegetables, rather than canned or packaged items. Processed foods usually make our bodies work a lot harder to digest them, and we don’t always get the nutrients we need from them. I remind myself to keep it simple and eat a variety of food.

Exercise Daily – Honestly, after work I barely feel like exercising. All I want to do is play with my dog, watch TV, and scroll through endless Instagram reels. On my way home, I make a sincere effort to motivate myself to get some exercise in. For me, it’s about taking one day at a time, rather than setting weekly or monthly goals.

So before I check my mail, get pulled into any home tasks, or let laziness take over, I change into workout clothes right away and get on the mat for some simple stretches and yoga. Then I get back into my wheelchair (which is a workout on its own). If I start browsing my phone first, that’s it, I’m done for the evening and all motivation disappears. I basically don’t give myself the chance to talk myself out of exercising.

I really like Dr. Rangan Chatterjee’s concept that just 15 minutes a day can take you a long way toward your fitness goals. It feels doable. https://drchatterjee.com/

Annual Medical Tests – They make me nervous. I don’t enjoy them, but I understand their importance. They provide us with a clear picture of where we stand with our health goals, and allow us to identify issues early on. However, the entire process isn’t particularly enjoyable, and I’m definitely nervous when the test results arrive.

Socialize – Socializing is important for our mental wellbeing. I cannot say I am a social butterfly; I have reservations, now more than ever. However, I do enjoy connecting with like minded people, sharing ideas, and having tea together. During Covid, we worked from home, which had an influence on our mental health because we were working in isolation. We only communicated with people via phone or other virtual methods. This demonstrated the importance of connecting with others. Some people are extroverts, others are introverts, and I fall somewhere in the middle. I feel that our emotional wellness affects our physical health. It is critical to take care of our mental health.

It’s not always easy to take care of our health, and daily motivation fluctuates, but that’s good. What counts is that we keep making small but significant contributions to ourselves. Every action matters, whether it’s preparing a basic meal at home, taking a quick walk, keeping track of medical check-ins, or spending time with those who lift our spirits. I have learned that all we need to make progress is perseverance and self-compassion. Perfection is not necessary. One of the most important things we have is our health, and making the decision to put it first, even if it’s not perfect, is a sign of self-respect. Let’s take each day as it comes.

How to Make Health a Priority Read More »

New Season, New Energy: Choosing Joy in Change

I am sure that I am not alone when I say that I often get that sinking feeling when it’s time to say goodbye to the long, warm, and bright days of summer. There is something so comforting about having lots of daylight, hearing birds through open windows, and seeing people outside enjoying the sunshine. Everything feels so alive — from the energy in the air to the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. There is something truly special about these wonderful Summer days and nights.

However, when the season changes, it’s hard to let all that go. The days get shorter, the air turns colder, and the rain sets in. Life seems to slow down, and social life mostly happens indoors. Still, I try to remind myself that every season has its own beauty. Fall, for example, has its own kind of magic — the trees change color, the air feels crisp and clean, and the sense of calm that comes after the summer’s hot weather and wildfire season. Each change brings something new to appreciate, even if saying goodbye to summer is always the hardest part for me.

While it’s true that some situations are beyond our control, I don’t like the idea of thinking we have no choice. That mindset makes me feel stuck. Instead, I prefer to believe that I do have a choice, and that I can be creative and find something meaningful even on dark, short, rainy days.

So, what can I do on these shorter days? When we spend most of our time indoors and do not leave the house. I am not much of a partygoer, and driving in the wet and cold isn’t my favorite. I would rather stay at home. Still, I want to make the best use of my time and feel useful. What are some ways I can accomplish this?

Rest your mind and body

We all know that the summer season can be hectic, and we try to pack so much into such a short time. For me, this summer wasn’t about visiting different cafés or trying new coffees like it has been in the past. It was more about staying physically active and enjoying nature. I tried new activities like hiking and kayaking. I went for walks every day after dinner, soaked up the sun, breathed in the fresh air, and met more people than usual. I very much enjoyed this routine.

Now that the weather isn’t as welcoming for outdoor activities, I’m taking this opportunity to rest, rejuvenate, and relax with simple body stretches, massage, chair yoga, and breathing exercises. Recently, my right wrist developed some aches and pains, but it’s already improving with rest. This time of rejuvenation will allow me to be ready for next Summer to enjoy the outdoors again.

Improve baking/cooking skills

I enjoy baking once in a while. You wouldn’t believe how many recipes I’ve saved over the year without ever actually trying them—maybe you can relate to that 🙂. Now feels like the perfect time to experiment with one new recipe each week. Nothing too complicated, just simple treats with only a few ingredients.

Whenever I try something new, I take a photo and share it on my Instagram (@my.cup.of.masala.tea). It doesn’t matter whether it turns out good or not, it’s all fun. After all, sharing is caring 🙂

Try a New Hobby

There are always new hobbies we want to explore, but they often get pushed to the back burner for all kinds of reasons; lack of time, motivation, or even cost. Fortunately, there are plenty of budget-friendly hobbies you can try, such as crochet, knitting, drawing, painting, writing, reading, learning to play a musical instrument or even learning a new language. Some people enjoy playing video games too, though that might not be the most cost effective option and if you’re trying to spend less time on screens, it might not be the best fit.

Right now, I’m trying out how to crochet. It’s very relaxing once you get the hang of it. The only challenge is that I keep turning to YouTube for different patterns; I’ll watch one video and then immediately jump to another, so it’s easy to get distracted. Setting a timeline for myself really helps me to stay focused and actually allows me to complete a project.

Organize Drawers

My least favorite task but a necessary one, is organizing my paperwork. I have a big drawer full of documents that either need to be shredded, labelled or properly filed away. Once it’s all done, I know that I will feel a huge sense of accomplishment. I definitely wouldn’t want to spend a sunny day indoors filing boring paperwork, so this cold and rainy weather actually makes it the perfect time to tackle such a task. That’s my motivation to finally get it done.

Favorite movies/shows

It might be last on my list, but honestly, it’s the one I look forward to the most. I love settling in to watch movies, especially during the December holidays. We purposely save our movies and shows for the winter months (yes, it takes patience and self-control!), and it always feels like the perfect time to finally catch up on everything we’ve been saving. Watching TV doesn’t make me feel particularly productive or accomplished, but I’ve learned to enjoy it without feeling guilty.

These are just a few ways to feel good during the short, dark winter days. I’ve noticed that when I mindlessly watch reels or YouTube shorts, I end up feeling lost and disoriented, wondering where all the time went. The time will pass either way, but I’d rather it leave me feeling good. That’s why having a plan and trying out new activities, especially ones that don’t require going out can really help create a sense of productivity and purpose. I hope the activities mentioned above add something valuable to your days.

New Season, New Energy: Choosing Joy in Change Read More »

Comfort in a Cup

I am a tea lover, especially Indian tea. I am sure that being born in India and raised in England had a role to play in my love for tea. You might be wondering how this connects to motivation. Before I explain that, let me share a little background about my journey with tea. I have always loved tea, and ever since I was young, I’ve had the habit of drinking two cups a day with two teaspoons of sugar. Because of this habit, I’ve made friends and meaningful connections over the years. Tea has always been more than just a drink for me — it’s been a way to bond, share stories, and connect with people.

During my time in the UK, my tea drinking habit kept my kitchen lively. My friends and I looked forward to making and enjoying tea together. We even discovered the perfect tea masala from a small Indian grocery store nearby. For me, a visit to my house without tea feels incomplete, as if something cozy and inviting is missing. Fresh tea was prepared four or five times a day at the house where I grew up, often even more when relatives and guests dropped by. As you may know, making Indian tea is a process that takes time — and that’s what makes it special. It brings people together, while also demonstrating patience and compassion.

So, why am I sharing all this about my tea habit?

When I moved to Canada to live with my family, I saw the challenges my mother faced as she managed diabetes. One of these challenges was giving up sugar in her tea. In an effort to support her, I decided to give it up too (not tea, just the sugar). It was a small decision, and from that day on, I stopped adding sugar to my tea. Now, if someone offers me tea with sugar, it just doesn’t taste right anymore.

When I was younger, I never really thought about fruits, salads, or whether sugar was bad for me. I simply enjoyed delicacies like cakes and chocolates without thinking about it; that concept just didn’t exist in my thoughts. However, after giving up sugar in my tea, I noticed that my cravings for other sweets decreased. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy them anymore — I still love a fresh slice of cake or a piece of my favorite chocolate, especially in the afternoon when I need a little boost.

My take is this, if you can’t make a change for yourself, do it for a friend or family member by supporting them in their goal. In the process, you’ll stay motivated and may achieve your own goal as well.

My passion for tea has taught me more than just how to make the ideal cup; it has taught me how little routines may lead to positive outcomes. What began as a simple show of support for my mother turned into a lesson in self-control, compassion, and drive. Similar to how tea unites people, mindful practices and common objectives can bring out our best qualities.

Comfort in a Cup Read More »

The Power of Affirmations

In my last blog post, Forced Positivity: Helpful or Harmful, I briefly mentioned affirmations. I will now explore that topic in further detail here. To me, affirmations are a way of practicing goal-setting by writing them down in the present tense. This can best be illustrated through an example: instead of saying, “I will travel to Europe in 2026,” I write, “I am traveling to Europe in 2026.”

Over the years, I’ve read many self-help books, and they tend to share one core message: our minds can be trained—and affirmations are one of the tools we can use to do that. You’ve probably seen athletes in movies, TV shows, or real life repeating phrases like, “I can do this.” That’s a powerful example of using affirmations to focus the mind and build confidence toward a desired outcome.

Have you ever told someone who might be going through a tough time, whether it’s health-related or just life in general—to “stay positive” or “keep your spirits up”? Shifting into a more positive mindset is hard at first.

So, how do you actually do it?

One helpful tool I’ve used is affirmations—positive statements we can feed our minds. This is not to ignore what’s really happening. But when used with intention, affirmations can gently shift our internal feelings, especially when things feel overwhelming. This doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine. Uplifting yourself doesn’t mean ignoring your pain.

Here’s what I personally do when I turn to affirmations:

Feel Your Emotions – Let yourself be—whether you’re sad, frustrated, anxious, or angry. This is something I’ve said before ( even in my last post), but it’s worth repeating: acknowledge your feelings.

Write It Down – For some, writing comes naturally and for others, not so much. Whatever you are comfortable with, use that method. You don’t need a journal, you can write down your thoughts in your phone’s notepad, record yourself talking, or even speak to someone you trust.

Introduce Affirmations – If we wait for motivation to appear first, then we will be waiting a long time. In fact, action brings motivation. From my experience, action leads to motivation, not the other way around. Writing affirmations is one small action we can take. It helps shift our mindset.

Repeat Affirmations – To shift the mindset towards positivity, I repeat affirmations. When we start believing, we start achieving. Although it may sound like a cliché, it is true. The real challenge is to make ourselves believe. I understand that some people may think it’s ridiculous and that it sounds too easy to be real, but try writing or speaking affirmations aloud.

As I stated earlier, without action nothing will happen. If you are writing affirmations about good health but your lifestyle includes eating unhealthy, then affirmations do not help. However, when you are doing everything to stay healthy, affirmations will help on days you feel like giving up.

Recommended Reading:

Here are some books that have helped me to understand this concept better:

The Magic of Thinking Big – David J. Schwartz
The Secret – Rhonda Byrne
The Power of Positive Thinking – Norman Vincent Peale
The Game of Life and How to Play It – Florence Scovel Shinn
Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything – James R. Doty, MD
The Biology of Belief – Bruce Lipton

I hope you enjoy reading the books listed above and can take away some useful knowledge that you can use in your daily life.

The Power of Affirmations Read More »

Forced positivity: Helpful or harmful

I am of the belief that the concept of ‘being positive’ can mean different things to different individuals. Have you ever been told to ‘be positive’, ‘stay positive’, or ‘think positive’, especially when you are experiencing a setback in your personal, professional or health related life? How did it make you feel? I believe it is unhealthy to encourage someone to stay positive without acknowledging their pain, as this causes people to suppress their real emotions and to pretend everything is fine, when it is not.

I frequently share my favorite quotations, self-help books, and affirmations with people on social media. Over time, this has given people the impression that I am someone who is always positive and upbeat. So when I express frustration or react emotionally to a situation, I sometimes hear comments like, “But you’re such a positive person—what happened today?” That’s when I realized that I’ve unintentionally created an image of someone who’s always positive.

I am sharing tips from my recent lived experiences which required maintaining my mental health so I could focus on challenges and find solutions. Please note I am not a clinical counselor and I do not have any formal education to give advice on mental health. These are purely my personal experience and what I have learned. In my first blog post “Six Steps to Daily Motivation” I shared the importance of releasing initial frustration because it is extremely hard to find motivation or positivity if we have unresolved feelings.

This is what I have learned:

Don’t Force Positivity – When I went through a house fire, it was an incredibly overwhelming experience. I felt numb, confused, and upset. It wasn’t about “thinking positive” at that moment—it was more like, “What just happened? Why did it happen? How do I even begin to process this?” Sometimes, it’s okay to sit with those emotions rather than forcing yourself to find the good in it.

Discipline Inspires Motivation – When the mind is cloudy and unfocused, motivation can be hard to find. I find that writing down my tasks for the day and checking them off as I go gives me a great sense of accomplishment and helps clear my mind.

Check In With Yourself – It’s easy to get caught up in our challenges that we forget to notice how we’re really feeling. Talking to a friend, family member, or even a counselor can make a big difference—especially someone who listens without just telling you to “think positive.”

Write Down Affirmations – I have always been a believer of positive affirmations but when I am overwhelmed, it can be hard to write them down or think of them. It takes time to reach a place where I can actually write affirmations. For me it is a practice that creates a positive mindset. Achieving a positive mindset is a work in progress and it often feels like taking one step forward and two steps back. But just as we brush our teeth daily to maintain oral hygiene, we need to nourish our minds every day with positive thoughts. It’s a simple but powerful form of mental self-care.

We all have our own way of coping with stress and the challenges that life throws our way. If you’ve found strategies that work for you, hold on to them. As for me, the practices I mentioned above have helped me deal with some of the toughest times.

Forced positivity: Helpful or harmful Read More »

Checking in with your New Year’s resolutions

We are already into the second month of 2025 – can you believe it? For some reason, January felt longer than usual. However, I must say, I really enjoyed the crisp, sunny winter days. It was a dry month for a change in Vancouver, and those bright skies did wonders for my mood. There is just something uplifting about sunshine in the middle of winter compared to the usual gray, gloomy days.

Now, let me ask the big (and maybe slightly painful) question – how are your New Year’s resolutions holding up? Have you been sticking to them consistently, or has it been more of an on-and-off situation? By the way, there is no right or wrong answer to this question.

I will share my New Year’s resolution experience with you. Honestly speaking, I don’t usually make resolutions because I know I struggle with the pressure of sticking to a new routine to achieve my goals. If I fall off track by mid-January or later, do I really have to wait until next January to start all over again? That thought can be very discouraging and can take forever to achieve my goals. However, having said that, subconsciously I do set some goals on January 1st and they are:

Just Do it Today – setting goals and having an action plan is great. They definitely provide directions in life. I have found that I often write goals and action plans without actually following through. What works best for me is to just start right away. For example, if I need to get some fresh air, I go out after work right away and push my wheelchair up the ramp. It is like a two in one deal, as I get both fresh air and exercise. But if I start planning as in when to start, I will never start. That’s just how I work – maybe you thrive with a more structured action plan, like most people do.

Start Fresh Every Day – who says we have to wait until next Monday, next month, or even next January to start all over again. If I slip up on my diet or exercise routine, which happens more often than I’d like to admit, I just restart the next day. This eliminates the need to think or feel bad, allowing me to attain my goals more quickly.

Visualize – I make a habit of visualizing the results I am working toward. It really helps me stay focused and motivated. But how do you actually visualize? I would suggest exploring and seeing what works best for you. For some, writing down affirmations about the end goal can be powerful. Others might prefer to imagine visually. Do whatever keeps your mind connected to your goal.

Guilt-Free Pleasures – Don’t punish yourself by denying the things you love even if they don’t directly contribute to your goal. Life is meant to be enjoyed! I allow myself one or two days a week to indulge in my favorite food, relax and take things slow. Otherwise, a rigid routine might become monotonous and provide little to look forward to.

I have personally tried these tips I have shared and they have worked for me. Remember, we are all a work in progress. It’s fine if we deviate from the path every now and again as long as we can get back on course. You will be amazed at how much you can accomplish when you stay consistent. By the end of the year, you will be surprised by the progress you have made. Then it will be time to set new goals – whether consciously or subconsciously.

Checking in with your New Year’s resolutions Read More »

Procrastination: A journey to Self-discovery

I began this blog post on procrastination back in March of this year and here I am, nine months later and still not finished. What does that tell you about my procrastination habit? I would like to think that it simply means I am human. To feel better about this, here are some of the “excuses” I told myself; I was moving back to my house and had to start all over again (i.e. buy everything again), had guests and family functions, and completed a short online course. Not too bad, if I say so myself. However, truth be told, writing blog posts was not even on my list of things to do. Have you ever spent a whole day thinking about a task instead of actually doing it? I know I have, and I have discovered that procrastination can be more exhausting than the work itself. It’s draining to dwell on something without taking action. Can you relate?

Even when it comes to writing my blog posts—something I genuinely enjoy—I find myself procrastinating. I often ask myself, “Why am I putting this off?” I started this blog to share my experiences overcoming daily challenges, both physical and mental. Through my self-reflection, I’ve realized that procrastination often isn’t about the tasks themselves, but about what lies behind them.

So, why do we procrastinate? Here’s what I’ve found:

Complexity: If a task feels overwhelming due to its many layers, I might avoid it altogether. This leads to stress and anxiety, especially when deadlines loom, resulting in rushed work and even more stress.

Self-Doubt: When I lack confidence in my ability to complete a task, I tend to postpone it, hoping to avoid failure.

Distractions: It’s all too easy to get sidetracked by other things. Now we have many distractions such as our cell phones, and social media.

To combat this, I am learning to keep things simple, which can be challenging at times. By breaking tasks down into manageable steps, I can tackle them with greater ease and less mental burden. When I complete tasks, it gives a sense of accomplishment and boosts my confidence. How do you handle procrastination? I do not believe procrastination is simply being lazy, it can be a deeper health issue. I remember feeling extremely tired and “lazy” during my student days. A blood test eventually revealed anemia, iron deficiency, which explained my lack of energy. For a long time, I thought I was just procrastinating, but it turned out there was a deeper issue. While occasional procrastination is normal, if it becomes persistent, it might be worth seeing a doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions. This was my personal experience, and I hope it helps you avoid taking months to complete tasks like I did while writing this blog post!

To end this short blog post on a light note, I came across this quote recently: “Procrastination taught me how to do 30 minutes of work in 8 hours and 8 hours of work in 30 minutes.” – Unknown source

Procrastination: A journey to Self-discovery Read More »

How to Focus in a World Full of Distractions

In my previous post, I briefly touched upon the topic of distractions. I will be the first to admit that I am addicted to technology, especially to my smartphone. I have not figured out a permanent solution to this problem, and am not sure if anyone has. However, I am in the process of implementing strategies to set personal boundaries for my fascination with technology. I will share how the excessive use of technology is affecting me and what works to reduce its use and negative impact.

Negative impact of Distractions

Unable to focus – I heavily rely on my smartphone to research, read, listen to e-books/podcasts, make shopping lists, jot down ideas, note all appointments etc. I am sure that most of us are able to relate with the productive use of a smartphone. However, there is also the unproductive side, which is the endless social media scrolling. It consumes our precious time as well as our ability to focus. There is a constant urge to check messages, emails or social media which shortens our attention span. It feels overwhelming as there is always something better to look at and learn.

Loss of creativity – When I felt bored during my youth, I would think of something creative to do to occupy myself like reading, drawing and connecting with friends. However, that is not the case these days as the first thing that comes to mind is to pick up the phone to check messages/social media. After endless browsing, I not only feel exhausted mentally, but have no energy to do anything else. This leads to feelings of guilt for wasting time and not accomplishing anything worthwhile. We are browsing creative content but not adding to our own creativity.

Loss of Social Life – I believe our reliance on smartphones has made our society more isolated than ever. We are losing social connections. I intentionally turn off all my social media notifications other than regular text and Whats app messages. Even with the notifications off, I check my phone frequently. It has become such a habit that I do it unknowingly. It is almost like a natural reflex. Can you relate to this, where we check our phones instead of paying attention to the person sitting in front of us? We exchange messages/reels with friends and think we are communicating with one another. When we do meet in person, the phone seems to take priority. So much content is easily available on this little device, and it is shortening our attention span as well as making us forget basic etiquette. Not to mention the countless instances in which I have read distressing emails as soon as I receive them. Doing this has ruined moments with my family/friends. I do not know why we have created such urgency in everything we do. This advancing technology is supposed to make life easier, not harder. It is not the technology itself, but the excessive use of it that is most damaging.

How to Reduce Distractions

Take short frequent breaks – I am not saying take breaks every 15 minutes; however, it has helped me focus when I take a five minute break every hour to stretch, drink water, and/or check messages. This keeps the blood circulation going and also helps with the urge to check the phone because you have set yourself a specific time to do so.

Find a hobby – Remember the good old days of in person activities and hobbies? Find a hobby offline so you are away from technology/screen time. We browse creative content and feel we are not creative enough to produce something similar, and such comparison is harmful to our self image/self confidence. Find a hobby like a sport activity, traveling, reading, knitting, crochet, singing, dancing, yoga and so on. The possibilities are endless. You do not have to be good at it, just try it and see if you enjoy it. In my blog post “How Hobbies can help us stay motivated”, I mentioned the importance of having a hobby and how I discovered I could actually draw. Hobbies can help us to stay away from technology/screen time. By writing these blog posts, I am actually challenging myself although I am still on my laptop typing. It has helped me engage in something worthwhile. If nothing else I will improve my writing skills 🙂

Make time for family/friends – Time is our most valuable resource and it is passing us at a fast pace. I want to spend time making memories with my family and friends instead of browsing social media. You have probably read and heard this statement way too many times. I am making a conscious effort to keep off the phone when with someone. It is not that I have the urge to browse social media but I definitely have the urge to reply to messages/emails. It seems everything is urgent and requires our immediate attention. As a result, it causes stress and anxiety as we are always trying to keep up. In fact, it is expected of us that we respond immediately, as this is the culture we are creating for ourselves and others. If a situation is of an urgent nature, then we should call. If it is a text message, then it can wait. The person in front of us deserves our full attention. Also, make efforts to meet up in person as communication is so much more meaningful. Speaking of meetups, I have some coffee/chai meetings to catch up on.

While advancing technology is supposed to make life easier, we have made it complicated by overusing it. My grandfather used to say “too much of everything and anything is bad”. I think of his quote often and try to correct myself. This is my experience with smartphone technology and I am sharing it with you even if it makes me vulnerable. The excessive use of it definitely impacts my motivation. While it is okay to use smartphone technology, it should not be okay to be owned by such technology.

As a final note, I find it ironic that while smart phones can bring us closer to those far away from us, they also take us away from those who are sitting next to us.

How to Focus in a World Full of Distractions Read More »