My days are filled with emails, pings, and notifications.
I recently visited family in a semi-remote area of Montana.
This wasnt a vacation, though.
I did my normal work routine and clocked my normal hours, but they felt different.
I realized it was because I wasnt being distracted by a gadget or screen every other second.
Here are the things I learned and how you might find your own peaceful cabin without leaving home.
I didnt go as far asintentionally meditating, but I often found myself lost in thought.
I was meditating in my own way.
Its important to actually give yourself time tojust think.
Things you may not have realized were bothering you.
Think about how much of your mental energy is spent consuming information.
Its no wonder why your mind gets so burned out.
If you want to meditate, do it.
If you just want to stare off into space like me, that works too.
Whether youre facingpersonal problemsorcreative problems, you might have the answer to your problem waiting around in your head.
If you dont go looking, though, youllnever find it.
I like to be able to respond to text messages, IMs, and emails.
If something blows up, Ill be ready for it.
I couldnt really do that where I was, however.
My only connection to the outside world was the internet trickling from my grandmas cabin.
If I wasnt in that cabin, I could literally not be reached.
Most of the time, other people can step in when youre unavailable.
Create your ownset of rulesto help curb your smartphone habits.
Dedicate some time every day to being away from your phone.
Its especially important at night when youre trying to sleep.
I was forced to only worry about work during my normal work hours.
Stop working when its time to go home.
Or if youre home already, have a set time and stop when it hits.
Set an alarm if you want, but check that you stick to your schedule.
Sometimes you might need to put some extra work in and thats okay.
Just dont run yourself into the ground every single day.
Overworking yourself all the time could actually be hurting your overall progress, not helping.
Go be with your family or friends and save some work for tomorrow.
At the cabin, none of that was an option and I slept like a rock.
I woke up refreshed and ready for the day every morning.
You dont have to find a cabin in the woods to get decent sleep though.
Consider taking the TV out of your room along with anything else that goes buzz in the night.
If you dont want to remove them, at least leave them alone before bed.
If noise is a problem for you, get awhite noise machineor playambient sounds.
Earplugs might not be a bad alternative either.
Lastly, make your room a place that is only for resting.
Just going in your room will make you calm and ready for sleep.
you’re able to read a book if you like, but make your bed and bedroomyour sanctuary.
It was even… fun.
I found some zen in labor I would normally have to drag myself through.
If youre bogged down doing things for other people,tell them no.
If youre easily excitable about passion projects like I am,pick just one.
you’re able to always return to the other stuff later on.
Youll feel less burned out andmore productive.
The less you have on your plate, the more room you have to truly enjoy each bite.
It felt like I had more capacity to notice andappreciative the little thingsin life.
The things that were right in front me.
Gratitude for what you have willmake you happierin the long run.
It doesnt take being in a secluded cabin to experience that.
Photos byLorelyn Medina(Shutterstock),Matthew Pearce,Lauren Hammond.
