Better in the Bible: Tips

Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts

How to Break Cell Phone Addiction

May 28, 2023

If you're finding yourself having a hard time breaking up with your cell phone, and are wondering how to break cell phone addiction, hopefully, these tips, tricks, and my own experience can encourage you to know you're not alone in this battle.

My Experience with Cell Phone Addiction:

For years I've had a really hard time managing my screen time and scrolling my phone for hours and hours on end. I think in some ways it was a way for me to avoid things that were going on in my life whether it was personal life struggles, mental health, hard seasons with kids, etc... It's so simple to just turn to your phone and scroll Instagram or TitkTok, and before you know it, an hour or more of your life is gone in the blink of an eye.

I think I denied that I had a problem for a really long time. As someone who works in marketing, I would tell myself it was part of my job to be on my phone, and that my four hours a day of screen time was part of my job. In reality, I didn't need to be on my phone that much, and my actual work accounted for about 30 minutes of those 4 hours each day. If I was stressed, I would scroll on my phone, if I was bored, I would scroll on my phone, if I was at a red light, I'd check my email. There was so much time throughout the day that I was mindlessly grabbing my phone for no reason.

This all came to a head for me when I went on a mission trip to India in the winter and didn't have access to my cell phone. I essentially didn't use my phone for a week and a half, and was so proud when I got home and averaged 15 minutes of phone use a day, which was mainly me using my camera for pictures and videos.

The week I had gotten home though, my screen time was up to 5 hours a day and I kind of snapped and decided enough was enough. I started treating my phone like the plague on my life that it really was. From that moment I decided my screen time was never going to be that high again, and three months later I can say the highest average of screen time in a week that I have had on my phone has been an hour and a half per day, although most weeks I'm averaging under an hour per day.

How to Break Cell Phone Addiction:

Now that you've heard about my experience with cell phone addiction you might be thinking, "But how did you actually break the addiction?", there were a few things that I did, and still do, and hopefully some of these tips will be practical for your life as well.

Turn Screen Time On:

If you have an Apple phone, go into the settings and make sure screen time tracking is turned on. That way you can get a notification at the end of each week telling you how long you were on your phone each day. I also like to look at this throughout the day to see how I'm doing on my screen time for that day in particular so I can convict myself and know where I'm at for the day.

Tell Yourself You Will Not Touch Your Phone At All Costs:

Just simply put, consider your phone to be the enemy in this equation, and mentally tell yourself that you will not touch it. I leave my phone near me all day when I'm working because I do need it for work, and when my kids are at school I like to know if the school is trying to contact me, but for the most part, I do not touch it, and that is just a clear boundary that I have for myself. I only reach for it if it's essential, and if it's not, I don't touch it.

Do What You Need on A Computer:

If I'm reaching for my phone, but know that I can do the same task on the computer, then I will opt to hop onto my computer for that task instead. Scrolling is just way less fun and addicting for me on my computer than it is on my phone, so I know that even if I hop on Instagram on my computer to read my messages, I won't stay for the scroll because the desktop version just isn't as great.

Put Your Phone in Another Room:

If you can, and you feel you need to, put your phone in another room. Out of sight out of mind. Do this while you work, while you read your bible, while you read a book, etc... just get away from your phone and find something else to do.

Do Something Outside:

Spend time in silence and solitude outside. Lay in a hammock, get some sun, and just sit in your own thoughts. This can be hard for some people, but it's something that I've come to really enjoy. Our minds don't always need to be stimulated by something, and it's okay to just sit with your own self.

Replace the Scroll with Another Activity:

As mentioned a little earlier, if you catch yourself going for the scroll, replace it with another activity. Read a book, get some exercise, turn to your bible, go outside, and find something else to replace your time. If you don't find something to replace the scroll then you'll have no chance of breaking the addiction. Explore new hobbies and simply be conscious of the times you're reaching for your phone.

Delete Apps That You're Likely to Scroll:

Delete the apps that are most tempting for you to scroll. For me, it was Instagram and TikTok. I deleted TikTok from my phone and haven't downloaded it since. I need IG for work so it had to stay on my phone, but for the most part, I try to post as fast as I can and get off as fast as I can.

Turn Off Notifications for Apps:

If you have notifications turned on for any non-essential apps, turn them off. Even if they aren't for IG or another app. The reason is, anytime you get a notification, it's just a temptation to grab your phone and start scrolling. Avoid the temptation by making your phone make the least amount of distractions in your life as possible.

Set Goals:

Set a time goal that you want to stay under each day, and do everything in your power to make it a reality. For me, I wanted to be under an hour every single day. Some weeks I'm great, some I'm slightly over, but less than an hour per day is the goal. For you, it might be two hours, or simply cutting whatever you're currently doing in half. Whatever the goal, set the goal, and then check in on your screen time throughout the day and adjust accordingly to make sure you're on track for your goal.

Set App Timers:

Set an app timer for the apps you're most likely to use excessively. I have a friend who has a time limit set for IG each day, and only her husband knows the password to bypass the timer, so once she is locked out, she is locked out for the day. This is a great way to practice accountability too.

These are the ways that I have helped myself overcome my phone addiction. I will admit, once I was adamant about changing the habit, actually implementing it was pretty easy for me to accomplish. I hope that some of these tips and tricks can be helpful for you as you're working through this as well. Remember that you can also pray for the strength and power to be equipped to overcome any habit or challenge you face and that the Holy Spirit can strengthen you when you call upon the Lord for help.

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My Experience Writing Out The Bible By Hand

May 21, 2023

In March 2023 I started writing out the Bible by hand. What started as something I had seen on TikTok and wanted to try and replicate has turned into a really sacred part of my daily life that I have come to really enjoy.

Why Did I Start Writing Out The Bible By Hand?

I had seen someone on TikTok do a live stream about them writing out the Bible by hand. If you're wondering, yes, my TikTok feed is primarily obscure Christian videos about Jesus, although I haven't been on TikTok in months, and that's another story for another day.

When I saw this guy handwriting the bible though, I immediately thought, could I do that? I stewed on the idea for months. I'm constantly ruled by FOMO (fear of missing out), and it felt like I was really missing out by not writing the bible by hand.

A few months after seeing this video I went on a mission trip to India that was life-changing for me in a lot of different ways and really put into perspective for me how I want to live my life, and what I want my life to look like on a day-to-day basis. Ultimately, I wanted more Jesus and less of everything else. When I got home I decided if I want more Jesus, I need to spend more time with him, and what better way to spend more time with him than writing the bible?

How Long Does Writing Out The Bible By Hand Take?

I have looked over quite a few blogs about people who have written the bible by hand and have come to two conclusions. Either one, everyone who has done this writes really slow, or two, I write really fast. I can write an entire chapter of the bible in 30 minutes. From what I've seen elsewhere online, that is about half the time it takes other people to write a chapter.

I originally set out to write 4 chapters a day and have the entire thing done within 9 months, but I quickly learned that I didn't have the bandwidth to keep up with a two-hour per-day practice. I have since scaled back and am writing one chapter a day. This means it will take me about three years to finish since there are 1189 chapters in the bible. I do plan on picking up the pace when I hit Psalms, Proverbs, Job, etc... where the chapters are much shorter. I anticipate the entire process taking me no longer than three years. As of writing this, I'm currently at Leviticus 21.

My Process for Writing Out The Bible By Hand:

I try to do my bible writing first thing in the morning before I start my work and other responsibilities. I am currently copying from the ESV translation, and primarily copying from the ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible. I like that the print is bigger than my thinline bible, and it stays open on my desk easier, making copying fairly simple.

I am currently writing everything in a five-subject notebook, and I anticipate continuing with this throughout the entire process. I find I can write really easily from a notebook, I can fit a lot of text on one page, and when I'm finished it won't be too hard to store multiple notebooks of the same size.

I use a regular ballpoint pen, although I have specifically been using these biodegradable ones because I'm on a "save the planet" kick. I also am just writing with normal printing. I know a lot of people who have done this practice have written in cursive or calligraphy to make it really pretty and special. This is not a skill that I have and I would hate for that to be a barrier for others enjoying this practice as well.

When I write I simply read a sentence or two at a time, write it down word for word, and then move on to the next sentence. I think this might possibly be why I am able to write so fast. It might be due to the fact that I can store a lot of words at once before having to lift my head to scan the bible for words again. I'm also not a slave to perfection in this process. I do value every word being correct in the right order, but if I make a mistake, I'm fine to draw a line through the mistake, correct it, and move on.

The Benefits I've Seen of Writing Out The Bible By Hand:

I definitely have struggled at times with reading the bible and actually comprehending what I'm reading. If I'm just doing a chapter-a-day type of reading, it's easy for my brain to tune out and not retain any information. I find having a study plan I'm working through helps this tremendously, but handwriting the bible has made it stick in ways that nothing else really has for me.

I find myself following the storylines so much deeper. I find myself asking deeper questions, taking notes throughout the process, and then going and finding answers to those questions afterward. The reality is that many of the posts I'm writing here on this blog are actually answers to my own questions that I have had while going through this process. For me, handwriting the bible has brought my comprehension and understanding to a whole new level that I'm super grateful for.

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Best Way to Memorize Scripture

May 14, 2023

The best way to memorize scripture is often going to be something that works better for one person than it does for another. What works for me, might not work for you. There are several different ways one can go about memorizing scripture. We'll explore some of the various options, and then which one personally works the best for me.

Best Way to Memorize Scripture:

There are many different ways one can go about trying to memorize scripture. Some of those options could be:

Writing the passage 1-2 times per day
Using the Bible Memory App
Whiteboard erasing one word at a time
Read it out loud and often
Put it to a song

These are some of the ways that I have personally gone about memorizing scripture in the past. At different times I have liked different methods for different reasons, and will share my person experience with each of these.

Handwriting the Passage:

My favorite way to memorize scripture is by handwriting the passage. This method involves writing the verse down 1-2 times per day for about a week. While writing, you will be reading the verse, and this will help your brain to memorize it. By the end of the week, you will have memorized the scripture. After writing the scripture, you can try to recite as much of it as you can by memory. Each day, aim to improve how much more you know until you can recite the entire verse.

According to research, handwriting helps with memory retention. When you write something down, you are more likely to remember it than if you type it on a computer or mobile device. Handwriting engages different areas of the brain, and the act of writing helps to encode the information in your memory. Writing the scripture repeatedly will also help you to internalize it, making it easier to recall later.

Bible Memory App:

Another effective way to memorize scripture is by using a Bible memory app. There are several apps available, including Bible Memory, Bible Memory Kids, and Remember Me. These apps use a spaced repetition method, which involves reviewing the scripture at increasing intervals until it is memorized. The app will gradually remove words from the passage, and you will have to fill in the blanks until eventually, you can recite the entire verse by memory.

The advantage of using a Bible memory app is that it tracks your progress, and you can see how far you have come. Some apps also allow you to connect with a community of people who are also memorizing scripture. This can be a source of encouragement and accountability. If you prefer to limit your screen time, you can also opt for the traditional method of writing the verse on a notecard or piece of paper and reviewing it daily until you have memorized it.

Whiteboarding and Erasing:

If you prefer not to use an app or write the scripture repeatedly, you can try writing it on a whiteboard and gradually erasing words and letters. This method works similarly to the Bible memory app, and you will eventually have the entire passage memorized.

The advantage of using a whiteboard is that it is more interactive than writing on a piece of paper. You can see the progress you are making as you erase each word and letter, and this can be a motivating factor. Additionally, whiteboards are more versatile than notecards or paper because you can write bigger and draw diagrams to help you remember the scripture.

Read Out-loud and Often:

Some people find that reading the passage out loud, several times per day, for days and days until they have it memorized works well for them. This method is simple and does not require any props or technology. It is also a good option for auditory learners who may find it easier to remember things they have heard.

The disadvantage of this method is that it can be monotonous and may not be effective for everyone. It may also be challenging to find time to read the passage out loud several times per day, especially if you have a busy schedule.

Sing the Passage:

Singing the passage is another effective way to memorize scripture. This method involves finding a song that contains the scripture you want to memorize or creating your own melody and lyrics for the passage. The rhythm and melody of the song can help embed the words in your memory. Studies have shown that music can enhance memory and improve recall, which makes this method a great option for those who enjoy music or have a musical background.

Extra Strategies and Tips:

Another effective technique is to practice active recall. This involves actively trying to remember the text without looking at it. You can do this by covering up part of the text and trying to recall what comes next, or by reciting the text from memory. The more you actively try to recall the text, the stronger the memory will become.

It's also important to practice consistently. You're more likely to remember the text if you practice a little bit each day rather than trying to cram it all in at once. Set aside a specific time each day for memorization practice and stick to it.

Finally, don't be too hard on yourself if you don't remember the text perfectly right away. Memorization takes time and practice, so be patient with yourself. Celebrate your progress, even if it's small, and keep working at it.

There are many different methods you can use to memorize scripture. Some people may find that handwriting the passage, using a Bible memory app, whiteboarding and erasing, reading out-loud, or singing the passage works best for them. It's important to experiment with different methods and find what works best for you.