Tame your busy brain | [letter #181]
A daylight disco club, books + bits
Hey - how are you doing?
I had drinks with a friend who works in digital at the NHS last night. A really good Pinot Noir – slips down soooo easily with the Gordal olives, the size of golf balls. So meaty! I stick to Pinot these days - less chemicals and no hangover.
We were chatting about work and health. She’s also finding it hard to switch off – new tech/systems to learn, so dual screens and context-switching all day, plus the phone. “I’m in my head too much. I need to be in my body more.” It’s affecting her health, and she’s not sleeping very well.
The other day, she nodded off at her desk. “It’s exhaustion”.
She's also finding it hard to focus when reading – she started Lessons in Chemistry but keeps getting distracted [waves her phone at me] and can’t read for long periods like she used to.
I’m struggling with that, too, which is why I set myself a reading challenge for 2025 – a book a week – to try and build a reading habit again. I miss losing myself in a good book, having a little adventure, and seeing the world differently by the end of it.
She’s bought herself a proper alarm clock instead of her phone. If it’s by the bed, you end up scrolling social media. “I want to live my life - not look at other people’s lives!” Lol, I know. My phone is my alarm, too - and entertainment machine, when it should be a tool.
Do you feel that invisible pull?—I have to put it in a different room when working, or I can’t focus.
The other day, she got up at six to make some tea and saw a group of people on the beach, swaying about with headphones on. Curious, she went out to see what they were doing. A guided silent disco. She ended up joining in - and felt more energised for the rest of the day.
It’s called Freedom Dance. The daylight disco club. I see they have a sunset session coming up, too - must try that.
Stuff that helps me sleep:
- Exercise
- Twinings Passionflower tea with a slab of dark chocolate
- My heated blankie (can’t be without it). Get naked and let it work its magic
- Bed of Nails acupressure mat and pillow. I use it in the evenings and have it on the back of my chair when working – it stops me from slouching. Roll your feet over the pillow for a mini foot massage!
📚 99 problems but a book ain’t one
Week #1: Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang.
The good thing about carrying a book around is they’re a conversation starter. Seeing someone reading in a café is a novelty nowadays, so people are curious. It’s like giving us a permission slip to slow down. Nobody asks, “What are you scrolling?”
That’s the vibe I want to bring to Substack :)
I finally got my reading chair fixed! One of the legs had come off. I need to move it away from my desk and make a cosy corner to curl up in - it helps with the habit-building.
Cheers, Nika 🥂
🔗 Link About It
Michael MacLeod, founder of The Edinburgh and London Minute, on growing a curated community newsletter. He has a great attitude to business building. [Listen now]
Perpetual: The major shift of media. | Adam Ryan. “If AI is going to curate inboxes, you have one job as a media operator. Be indispensable.” [Read now]
The Richard Dimbleby Lecture: Sir Gareth Southgate. A brilliant speech - on resilience, determination, social media, toxic influencers, role models, and more. [Watch now]