Learn Slowly, Gain Fully - How I Rewired My Mind to Remember Things for Good (As-Salaam-Alaikum)

As-Salaam-Alaikum everyone, A while back, before smartphones took over, people had more moments of quiet - either sitting with their thoughts or reading a paper. For our minds that was actually helpful. We were used to following one line of thought for a long time, like when reading a book or watching a play, and that trained us to focus deeply. What did that do for us? It made deep work natural. It helped us stick with a single idea for longer, have better memories, and hold sharper conversations. Then phones arrived. One small notification sound could pull us out of whatever we were thinking. A short message or the rush from likes made us chase quick hits of pleasure. Over time we got used to a stretched-out, hyperactive state chasing dopamine, and real-life moments felt less satisfying. For me it reached a point where I always felt like there was a buzzing in the background-thinking but not knowing what I was thinking. I realized I needed to step back and change my habits. I kept the changes simple and consistent: 1. Read five pages of a beneficial book every morning before work. 2. Spent five minutes in quiet dhikr/mindfulness after Fajr. 3. Turned off notifications for anything unnecessary. Pretty quickly I felt less distracted. The background noise quieted and real, organized thoughts started to come back. The things I absorbed slowly had time to settle and be useful in everyday life. I learned slowly and earned that learning fully. Give it a try - maybe you’ll notice the same change. I’d love to hear if anyone has small habits that helped them too. JazakAllah khair!