The solution? Baby steps. You can still make big changes, but you have to start from where you are, not where you aim to be. You are more likely to achieve your dreams if you start with small changes and work your way up.
Here are four examples of easy changes to your digital life that can yield big results over time.
1. Control Your Social Media by Unfollowing
If you feel like you need a social media detox, start by cleaning out your follow list. Any page or group that leaves you feeling anxious, angry, or frustrated after interacting with it deserves to be unfollowed.
You might worry that if you unfollow everything uncomfortable, you’ll end up in an echo chamber. Getting many points of view is important, but that’s not the same as letting trolls rule your feeds.
For example, get your news from a news-reading app, instead of social media. This way, you can still get a variety of views without the toxic comment sections and hot takes.
2. Create a Bedtime Routine With Focus Mode
Maintaining a bedtime routine is one of the main ways you can establish a healthy sleep cycle. But suddenly adopting a whole new set of behaviors is too ambitious for a first step. Instead, start with your smartphone.
Using your phone in bed, even with a blue light filter, can keep you awake with distractions longer and make it harder to fall asleep when it’s finally time. Instead, find a better way to wind down, one that doesn’t involve your phone. Reading a book, writing in a journal, or playing music can all be great bedtime rituals that keep the screen turned off.
This can be a big switch, but smartphone technology helps you break it into smaller steps. Start by using focus modes to block distracting apps at bedtime. This helps you avoid getting stuck inside the endless feeds on your phone when you’re supposed to be preparing for sleep.
3. Start Diet Resolutions With Recipe Sites
Rather than trying to flip your eating habits all at once, start by learning some simple recipes. There are tons of apps and websites devoted to sharing healthy meals. You’ll also find lots of sites with cheap and easy recipes that are perfect for beginners.
If you don’t usually cook, this can help you become more comfortable in your kitchen. It could also help you find healthy foods that you like just as much as unhealthy alternatives.
To make the change easier, try using a site that lets you search by ingredients you already have. My Fridge Food is a good example. You can also set a goal for yourself, like trying three new recipes per month.
By year’s end, you’ll have lots of new options, and your cooking skills will grow, too. Just keep in mind that “healthy” is a broad term. You should consult with your dietician or another dietary expert to determine what a healthy diet means for you.
Download: MyFridgeFood for Android | iOS (Free)
4. Think More Positively With CBT Apps
Resolving to focus more on mental health is a great choice for anyone, but the process can take time and effort. One way you can get started is to adjust your negative thought patterns.
This technique is key to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. You don’t need a therapist to benefit from CBT. There are lots of apps for improving mental health that use CBT and thought journal techniques.
Here’s a simple way to start correcting your negative talk: say “thank you” instead of “sorry.” For example, instead of saying “Sorry I talk so much,” say “thank you for listening.” This redirects your focus to gratitude, which is a much healthier mental state.
Small Steps Add Up to Big Changes
Cliché though it may be, every journey really does start with a single step. By starting with reasonable goals, you make it much easier to stick with your resolutions.
Taking small steps is a good idea whether you’re starting on New Year’s Day or at any other time of year.
