One lovely Sunday morning in April, I chanced to hear an interview between a National Public Radio reporter and a Gen Z influencer who shared her solution to managing her “doomsday scrolling” habits.
She was concerned about how easily she had begun to fall into using mindless scrolling on the internet when she was bored or just did not know what to do with her time. She found that this practice riled her brain when she really wanted to relax or do something more rewarding. She decided that she would strive to become more intentional about her screen time. As a result, she developed her first “analog bag,” a tool she uses to counter social media.
It was interesting to hear what she included in her bag and how she changed her life by using it to calm her mind and open herself to more ways to be creative and productive. Her first bag included a couple of books to read, a crocheting project rescued from her closet, and what has become her beloved Junk Journal. In addition, she added stickers, pencils, markers and a variety of objects to help her record random and whimsical ideas or capture meaningful records from each precious day. Her bag was easy to change when the mood struck her. Such a bag also makes a lovely gift.
I happened to mention the radio interview to my dear friend and neighbor, Paula Schriemer. She is also a trusted pilgrim in the quest to make sense in the world of Covid and other tumultuous happenings in recent years. As an avid reader and a medical professional, she brings helpful perspective to our discussions. She has graciously offered to share her insights in this month’s column.
Paula recommends three important steps we can take to stay calm and strong in unsettling times.
- Know yourself and what triggers your anxiety. For Paula, “too much news” is not a good thing. She finds that consciously limiting her intake is helpful.
- Know what makes you happy and purposely focus on those things. For Paula, focusing on kids/grandkids, reading, prayer/meditation, keeping up with friends, doing things for others, and walking outdoors most days is lifegiving.
- Be aware of general practices that make most people happy; understand the science that backs up these routines and consider applying them to your own life. Habits like being in nature; listening to music; seeking out meaningful community; and keeping a list of daily joys can ground you and make you less anxious.
So it is all up to us. We do not have control over many things, but each of us can decide what to do with the time we are given. That can make all the difference.
