As digital technology colonizes our minds, self-reflection is becoming ever more critical.
But not just any reflection. We think best through slices of boredom, gratitude, and mental processing.
Boredom
No one ever died sitting and doing nothing or staring out into space. Quiet moments permit the mind to wander, dance with fear, and revel in fleeting thoughts. There’s a reason why people get their best ideas in the tub.
Sometimes we need to turn it all off. The tension between forced stillness and resisting another splash of smartphone dopamine makes for good quality thought control.
Gratitude
Spend time thinking about what you’re grateful for every morning. Get yourself a gratitude journal if you need help inculcating the gratitude practice.
Focusing gently on how your life depends on others helps nourish the ego.
Processing
Reflection also comes in the form of deliberate processing. If you want to remember more, you can try two things.
One, you can teach something to yourself as if you were a child. Avoid confusing yourself with complicated words and other jargon.
The other mental processing hack is reducing interference. Give your brain a 10-15 minute rest by sitting in a quiet room with dimmed lights. Leave the phone and any other potential distractions in the other room. The only quest is an effortless brain rest.
Reflection comes in many forms, a habit vital to success in today’s fast-paced, screen-obsessed mobile culture.