MindLabJason

 # Why I Stopped Drinking Coffee in the Afternoon I used to believe that a cup of coffee was the perfect pick-me-up — especially around 3 PM when my energy dipped.   But over time, I started to notice something strange. --- ## ☕ The Afternoon Crash Every afternoon, I'd reach for another cup of coffee.   It felt like a ritual. But the crash kept getting worse. I’d feel wired for an hour… and then suddenly sluggish.   Worse, I couldn’t fall asleep easily at night. --- ## 💤 What Changed When I Quit So I decided to stop drinking coffee after lunch.   At first, it was hard — I missed the comfort and boost. But after a week, I started noticing: ✅ Deeper, uninterrupted sleep   ✅ Better focus in the late afternoon   ✅ Less anxiety and restlessness It was like my body was finally **resetting**. --- ## 🔄 What I Drink Instead Now, I keep it simple: - **Herbal tea** (like chamomile or rooibos)   - **Sparkling water** ...

 # Small Habits I Keep Even on Lazy Days We all have lazy days — days when motivation fades, energy dips, and even simple tasks feel heavy. But over time, I’ve discovered that what keeps me grounded on those slow days isn’t some grand productivity hack.   It’s the *small, quiet habits* I keep — the ones that don’t require much willpower but gently guide me back to myself. --- ### 🌿 I Make the Bed — No Matter Where I Am Whether I wake up late, sleep at someone else’s house, or stay in a hotel — I still make the bed. It’s not about neatness.   It’s about choosing order over chaos, calm over rush.   That simple act reminds me: this is my space, and I take care of it. --- ### ☁️ I Do Light Stretching or a Few Kettlebell Swings On days I skip my usual slow jogging, I at least move my body for 3–5 minutes.   Just a few kettlebell swings in my room.   It’s not about fitness. It’s about staying connected to my body. --- ### 📋 I Use a Simp...

 # What I Don’t Do Anymore to Stay Focused Sometimes, staying focused isn’t about doing more.   It’s about doing **less** — or even **stopping** certain habits altogether. Over time, I’ve learned that a few intentional “don’ts” can protect my attention better than any to-do list. --- ## ❌ I Don’t Check My Phone First Thing in the Morning This used to be a habit. I’d wake up and instantly scroll—news, emails, socials.   Now, I give myself at least 30 minutes before checking any screen. It’s a small boundary that gives me back control over my day. --- ## ❌ I Don’t Keep Notifications On Most of my apps have notifications turned off.   If something's important, I’ll see it when I choose to open the app. This one shift removed a constant stream of micro-distractions. --- ## ❌ I Don’t Multitask Anymore Multitasking felt productive. But in reality, it just made me tired and forgetful.   Now, I focus on one task at a time—deep work over scattered eff...

 # How I Manage My Time with Just Symbols and a List I used to overthink my schedule.   Too many things to do. No idea where to start.   So I created a system — simple, visual, and honest. --- ## Step 1: I Write It All Down Every morning (or the night before), I list everything I need to do — small or big. Then I give each task a **priority grade**: - `A` = Important and urgent - `B` = Important but not urgent - `C` = Optional or can be delegated --- ## Step 2: I Add a Symbol After that, I track the **status** of each task using a symbol: | Symbol | Meaning | |--------|---------| | ✔︎ | Completed | | ✘ | Canceled | | ~ | In Progress | | D | Delayed or postponed | At the end of the day, I go over the list and mark everything.   It helps me **visually reflect** on how I handled my time — not just what I finished. --- ## Step 3: I Adjust My Routine Accordingly This method shows me: - What I tend to delay - Which “C” tasks are taking too much space - Where...

 # How My Morning Routine Became My Foundation There’s something about the quiet of early morning.   No noise. No notifications. Just you, your breath, and the beginning of a new cycle. My mornings weren’t always this way. But over time, I found a rhythm that helped me feel more aligned — physically, mentally, and emotionally. --- ## My Morning Flow (No Breakfast, Just Breath and Movement) I practice **intermittent fasting**, so I usually skip breakfast.   Instead, I start with what my body and mind need most: space. Here’s what most mornings look like for me: 1. **Wake up → Short lying meditation (2~5 min)**      I don’t sit up right away. I stay lying down, eyes closed, and just feel my breath. 2. **Put on running shoes → Slow Jogging**      On an empty stomach, I go for a relaxed jog — nothing intense.      Just movement and air.      *(On days I can’t run, I do kettlebell swings ...

 # Welcome to MindLabJason Hi there — I’m Jason, and I’m so glad you’re here. I created **MindLabJason** as a space for curious minds who want to grow — not just smarter, but calmer, healthier, and more intentional. This blog is my way of exploring what it means to live well.   I write about **personal growth**, **productivity**, **self-care**, **habits**, and **mental clarity** — all the small practices that help us show up better every day. --- ## What You'll Find Here - Practical tools for managing your energy and focus - Reflections on mindfulness, balance, and mental clarity - Thoughts on building routines, staying consistent, and making decisions with purpose - Honest notes from my own journey in self-growth and health Whether you’re a creator, a thinker, or simply someone trying to feel more aligned with your life — this space is for you. --- ## A Note to You I’m not an expert. I’m a fellow explorer.   If you’ve ever felt scattered, overwhelmed, or like y...