Invitation No. 3 - Simply Notice

Welcome to what we are calling our Invitations! Each month, I’ll be sharing an invitation—something simple, intentional, and totally doable.

Something we can each do in our own lives that, together, creates a ripple effect.

Whether you’re here because you joined Cheering You On or you’re simply a kind soul who wants to spread a little more goodness into the world, I am so glad you’re here.

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Invitation No. 3: Simply Notice

Okay, I’m going to call us out for a minute by asking a question. 

How many times a day do you think you grab your phone and open up social media?

5 times, 10 times, less or more? 

Here’s the thing, when I thought about this myself, I didn’t know the answer. I thought “it can’t be too many with how busy I feel.” 

But when I got real with myself, here’s what I realized:

1) I opened Instagram more times than I want to admit.

2) It was so subconscious. My thumb just swiped so easily and clicked on instagram.

It was in between activities. When I got into the car. A long line at the store. Two minutes while the water boiled. When I went to the bathroom (yes I admit I do that too!). 

It kind of scared me. And I knew I couldn’t be the only one this happens to. 

What to do

So here’s our invitation: Simply Notice 

I’m inviting you and I to get a little real with ourselves—the next time you grab your phone and open social media, notice that you did it.

No need to shame yourself or feel bad. Just simply notice.

Why?

Because once we simply notice, we can then take a step back and see why and how?

We can ask ourselves—what was I about to do right before I grabbed my phone? 

Was I bored?
Avoiding something?
Waiting?
Overwhelmed?
Looking for a quick dopamine hit?

Again not to judge. Just to notice.

Okay, now what?

You might be thinking “Okay Nicole, now that I noticed this may be a problem, but now what do I do about it?

First off, you aren’t the problem. Social media is designed to grab and keep our attention, and it does a freaking good job at it.

We’re okay.

But I want to invite you into something I've been trying myself—every time I noticed my hand went to grab my phone and open social media, I've been doing three things:

1) I noticed that I did it.

2) I paused and thought about what I was doing right before that moment. 

3) I grabbed my colored pencils and this coloring I made. 

I have been coloring in one spot each time I simply notice and it really has shifted things. It's grounded and re-directed my focus. I come back to the present moment and the hear & now. 

Yes it felt super weird at first to go and grab a colored pencil and draw. And maybe a little embarrassing at first. But gosh it helped me notice and as a result has helped me not mindlessly scroll when I didn’t need to. 

A Gift For You

I created this coloring sheet to share! If you'd like to give it a try, click and  add your email here here so I can send it to you.

And to my Cheering You On friends — your letter came with an Invitation Card called Simply Notice. You can also use that as your tangible way to keep track. Every time you notice, give yourself a little stamp. 

PS: Papergram is giving us 10% off their stamps — anyone can use the code! code: NICOLE10 

I truly hope you take me up on this gift and give this process a try 🖍️ 

Cheering you on,

Click here to go back and see other invitations.