Hey guys. Jon from Mend here. This is my first email to all of you. 🙂

I launched Mend 13 months ago. It’s been a crazy ride. Lots of work. I expected a quick path to growth, but that expectation was not correct. Building a useful product can be way more work than expected—and getting it to the world is even harder (I’m no marketing genius).

The result? I’ve been feeling spiritually and emotionally stuck (not to mention neglecting my physical health).

I hope Mend still grows and keeps transforming lives, and I think it still has potential to grow a lot. But honestly, I can’t force it. I can plant a seed, and I can water it, but only God can make it grow.

And now, I need to slow down. Actually, I needed to slow down a long time ago. So, that’s what I’m doing—creating more time and mental space to focus on my spiritual, relational, mental, and physical health.

I’m still working, just at a slower pace. We’re still improving Mend. I’m still a therapist too (that’s my day job).

As I’ve slowed down, I’ve decided to do a digital declutter, inspired by Cal Newport’s book Digital Minimalism (10/10 would recommend). That means no unnecessary technology use for 30 days—and at the end, I’ll decide what tech use adds enough value to my life to bring back in.

Why am I doing a digital declutter? Well, my phone has been more of a slave master than a tool to me. I’m sure many of you can relate. For me, constant notifications clamored for my attention like a newborn baby who needs to be constantly held. An endless stream of new podcasts and YouTube videos promised freedom from boredom and stress, but the more I streamed, the more bored and anxious I felt. So, I cut myself off.

Or maybe I should say I freed myself (or rather, that God gave me a way of escape).

So far, I can say that slowing down and becoming a digital minimalist has been nothing short of transformative. My anxiety and stress are lower. I enjoy time with my kids more. I’m reading more than ever. I have more time and energy to help my wife around the house.

But most importantly, I’ve noticed that my spiritual life feels as if it were given a fresh dose of oxygen. I feel more connected to Jesus. I feel stronger when faced with temptations to sin.

Is my life perfect now? I wish. But have slowing down and becoming a digital minimalist been more than worth it? Yes, many times over. My only regret is that I didn’t do this sooner.

So, if you’re feeling spiritually stuck, consider whether it’s time to slow down, eliminate distractions (especially highly addictive digital media), and re-focus on the things that fill you with life. You might just find yourself transformed.