Rest, Reset, Recalibrate: Digital Dopamine Detox
Hey lovely Reader
This is the final episode of Season 17, and as I step into my August break - a practice I’ve been honouring for several years now - I find myself reflecting on something that's been nudging at my attention: dopamine.
Or more precisely: where do we get our dopamine hits when we stop?
Because the truth is, it’s easy to romanticise taking a time of rest. But many of us (myself very much included) rely on subtle, often unconscious, spikes of reward throughout our day: the ping of an email, the flick of an Instagram story, even the feel-good glow of work well done.
These things aren’t bad.
In fact, I love my work. It nourishes me deeply.
And...
I’ve noticed how even the most nourishing habits can slowly tip into over-activation. The desire to be responsive, to check, to share, to know.
So as I take this pause, I’m curious. What happens when we don’t reach for our phone the moment we get the urge? When we step back from productivity and let ourselves soften into something slower, more present?
It's something I know many of us are reflecting on.
And the recent surge in efforts to reduce phone use in children is a clear marker that we know it needs our attention... and yet... and yet our phones are useful. Many of us run businesses, busy lives, social groups and experience connection through our phones.
As with so many things, it's complex. And exploring it with compassion helps make it feel a little less heavy.
This week’s episode is a gentle reflection on all that. I talk about:
- Retraining our dopamine responses
- Making rest a conscious choice, not a reactive crash
- And the deep recalibration that comes when we really give ourselves a break
I also speak about the tender, beautiful close of the Finding the More Abundant Way group, the love that grew there, and the promise of deeper work to come.
If this has sparked your curiosity, you might enjoy this week’s podcast episode.
May we all be safe, may we all be happy, may we all be well, may we all be rested, may we all live with ease.
With love
PS If you’re longing for a simple, restful pause midweek while I’m away, A piece of quiet is there for you. One email. One short audio. A gentle relaxation, followed by music and a Flow Journaling prompt. Listen anywhere, anytime - and it’s just £7.20 a month. You’ll find the link in the show notes too: https://www.hennyflynn.co.uk/a-piece-of-quiet