The nightstand. Most of us have one next to our beds. The nightstand usually has a clock, light, wedding bands, and some other odds and ends.
Here’s a loaded question: how many electronic devices do you have on your nightstand?
Up until recently, I had three. I had my laptop, iPad, and iPhone. Once I got my official office situated, my laptop found a new home there in the past month. It has a nice little charging slot on shelves where it resides when I’m not using it.
Like my iPhone, my laptop came everywhere with me including bed. I would work in bed because it just seemed like a sensible thing to do in my old house. In the winter time, I could keep warm under the covers as I worked away and during the summer months, it was the coolest room in the house.
Since, creating a designated office in the new house, I decided not to keep my laptop in the bedroom until I wanted to watch a movie while in bed. (We only have one TV in the house and that is in the living room.) When I’m done watching something, the laptop goes back into the office. I have to say it was the best idea ever to do that. The bedroom vibe has changed. It is now a place of rest and sleep not of work.
I can really appreciate having my office. When I am done working for the day, I leave my office now. I literally shut the door for the night. I have come to the conclusion that it is wise to separate those two worlds. I feel less stressed and sleep better. I am also more productive during the day working in my office during daylight hours saving late afternoons and evenings for family and other interests.
Now back to the nightstand. In the move, I made a choice to declutter my nightstand. And frankly with Oppie, the kitten, joining our family, the more stuff on there the more likely he will knock it off. During the middle of the night scaring the living daylights of everyone in the bedroom. I have made it only for the needed items to unwind before I sleep. I keep my iPhone, iPad, a book, and magazine there along with a drink and lip balm. Nothing more. Amazing how easier things are when there is not clutter.
So what do you have on your nightstand? And have you moved electronic devices from your nightstand? I’d love to know.
The Book
In case you need some nighttime reading for your e-reader, how about downloading my book. Disclosure, it isn’t too boring so it won’t put you to sleep.
Social Media Crisis Communications: Preparing for, Preventing, and Surviving a Public Relations #Fail is available in eBook format. Buy it now! (If you like the book, please leave a review; it is greatly appreciated)
I keep my Kindle under my pillow, but that’s it for electronic devices. Sleep is already hard enough without my iPhone or iPad lighting up or buzzing with activity all night long. Like you, I try to make a point to leave my devices downstairs or in my office once the work day is over and make an effort (which many times fails, but I try!) to devote my evenings to family and non-work/non-online stuff. A challenge but I keep trying!
It really is a challenge we all face today with our devices. All we can do is keep trying to balance it all out with them.