The Doorway Effect is when you walk into a room with an intention and instantly forget it once you’re there. It’s real, it’s not just you.

The same is happening with me when I pick up my phone. I want to check tomorrow’s weather or change the song on Spotify and I pick up my phone only to go straight to Facebook or Twitter and waste 20 minutes on nothing. I had an intention when I picked up my phone, but instantly forgot why.

I know it’s a little late for a New Year’s Resolution, but I’m going to try to stick with my intentions. I’m going to consciously say what my intention is before I open my phone so that I remember my goal and stick with it. No more wasting time, unless that’s what I want to do.

While I’m at it, why now turn off a notification or two? I don’t need to know when someone I follow on Twitter posted something right now. It will be there waiting for me later. I need to claim my own time back. I need to set up rules to protect my mental health. I’m scattered and easily distracted. I want to have more focus and control on what and how I spend my time. It’s time to fight back.

The cat videos can wait until I have time to relax and enjoy them. They’re not going anywhere.