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OK, a week into the new year, how are your resolutions doing? The habit changes that I’m starting with in 2026 aren’t exactly strict new rules that started with the ball dropping on Jan. 1, but are more a deeper implementation of ideas and goals that our family has been moving toward for months.
Last night, for example, I took the big step of leaving my smartphone in the kitchen charging station when I went upstairs to bed.
No phone?!
Yes, and in fact, it had actually been away from my side for part of the evening, as well.
What a blessing to “cut the cord” that tethers me to my cordless device.
What did I do instead of mindless scrolling?
Well, I read from two different books and a magazine, sitting contentedly with the beloved wife of my youth. I got to bed earlier and slept better, waking up before the old-fashioned plug-in alarm that my wife has in our bedroom. (If you think you need your phone by your bed as an alarm, there are other options.)
My wife and I have also been trying to eat more fresh vegetables, preparing a big tub of them in the morning and snacking on them throughout the day. Somewhere deep inside of me, a picky 9-year-old eater is puzzled that I’m enjoying radishes, mushrooms, celery, cherry tomatoes and baby carrots — without ranch dressing, even!
I’ve done a couple of push-ups over the days and even lifted a few of the weights that my wife brought into our home years ago.
I say these things not to brag, since there’s certainly nothing impressive about a guy who is pushing 50 stepping up to do the baseline aspects of a halfway healthy lifestyle.
My hope is that these small, simple steps can be an encouragement to you.
I’ve received plenty of encouragement over the past few months.
My brother has been reading the book “Atomic Habits,” which includes the “two-minute rule”: As I understand it, that means doing two minutes of something (journaling, taking a brief walk, etc.) is a lot better than nothing. It’s OK to only do a little bit. That’s a great start to a new habit!
Our church has also been encouraging. We just finished a “spiritual emphasis week” that was so helpful and inspiring, with practical advice on walking with humility and purpose. (Pastor Josh Gering was direct in his talk about pulling back from our phones, too. That was important to hear and got me going more strongly in my own goals for a less phone-heavy life.) Whatever your faith tradition, stepping into a closer walk with our heavenly father will do wonders in your life as you focus on what’s truly important.
“Did you know your life is aimed in a direction and every turn matters?” Gering said. “Good intentions are not enough. You can't drift into the Fruits of the Spirit. You are formed every day by the places you go, the things you do and the people you spend time with.”
My sister’s church up north begins the year with a “fast” of some sort — maybe old-fashioned fasting from food to strengthen our spiritual focus. Or maybe a fast from television or other electronics.
My wife and I started a partial fast from social media in November. It’s a hard line to hold, but it’s been so helpful even as I’ve done it imperfectly. Do you want less negativity and more focus in your life? Stay off Facebook, TikTok, Instagram or your drug of choice (oops, I mean social media platform of choice). The harder it is for us to do, the more important it is to try and try again. Read a book, newspaper or magazine instead. You’ll learn more and gain more wisdom as you do.
How are you refocusing your life in 2026? Drop me a line. I’d love to hear about how you’re taking hold of the steering wheel and picking a direction with purpose as you move ahead.
Dad Joke of the Week
If you’re trying to reduce screen time and improve your life, don’t be like the dad who heard someone encourage him to “look sharp and come up with a great resolution,” then bought a 4K TV. That’s high-resolution with a lot of pixels, but not your best pick for a better year.
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Brian Mittge is a community enthusiast who has written for The Chronicle since 2000 as a reporter, editor and columnist. He can be reached at brianmittge@hotmail.com.
