When I was young, I had a habit of reading in bed before I went to sleep. What happened?

Life happened. Somewhere between the evolution of the internet and the rise of the smartphone, the physical book on my nightstand was replaced by a glowing rectangle. What used to be a peaceful transition into sleep became a high-speed chase through headlines, emails, and infinite feeds. I traded the slow rhythm of turning pages for the frantic twitch of scrolling, and my brain paid the price in blue light and overstimulation.

Meanwhile, the stack of “must-read” books on my dresser has grown taller and much dustier. Every time I buy a new title with the best of intentions, it just ends up sitting there as a silent reminder of the stories I’m missing while I’m busy swiping through a backlight. The one small improvement I’m making is finally reaching for that pile instead of my phone. By intentionally putting the devices away and returning to the habit of reading in bed, I am setting a much-needed boundary. It’s a way to quiet the noise, protect my focus, and ensure that the last thoughts I have before sleep belong to a story I’ve chosen, rather than a feed designed to keep me awake. Moving the screen out of the bedroom isn’t just about better sleep; it’s about finally giving those neglected books the attention they deserve and making sure I am the one in control of my own focus at the end of the day.

Typing this out, it feels like a “small improvement”, but you know how it is…