Free-Range Mind and Tech-Free Time

For most of my adult life, I’ve woken up between three and five AM. I’d like to blame it on my son, Jacob, who didn’t sleep more than five hours straight until he was in elementary school, but the truth is, the fault is all mine. You see, I’ve discovered that my mind needs what I call “free range time.”

Yes, just like the chickens.

You see, my brain lays much better “eggs” (ideas) when it has time to wander at will - something that our modern technological age makes challenging. You see, free range time means space where my mind can think about whatever it wants to think about. It is time when I’m not distracted by outside stimuli – my iphone is not the friend of free-range time, nor is the endlessly fascinating world of streaming options. Or frankly, even my beloved audiobooks.

Free-range time means time when I can zone out and let it all flow.

So, since I rarely make time during the day for this, I’m up in the middle of the night, where two hours will fly by without a blink.

Not the best for my need for sleep though.

Which is why I’m doing tech free time this month. You see, I’ve discovered that if I make this stuff available, then the next thing I know, I’ve skipped my zone out time.

So far it has been quite eye-opening. I’m realizing how much I feel connected to others through my phone and how much time goes into distracting myself with the “eye and ear candy” our technological world offers. I’ve noticed a difference though. I sleep better when I make space to meditate, connect to my heart and spirit, and allow my mind to do its free-range thing.

How about you? Do you feel like it is tough to get your mind to shut down at night? Or do you wake up in the middle of the night too? Maybe you want to join me – even if it is just a few hours of tech free time. I’m convinced it can make a real difference.

And if you are struggling with anxiety at night or a mind that won’t shut down, I have some good tools to help. Often, we have something swimming in our unconscious that needs to be brought to the surface. Reach out and I’ll send you some options for a free discovery call to see how coaching with me can help!