> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Stuff #142 - challenge accepted! - URL: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/stuff-142/ - Published: 2023-06-19T04:22:15.000Z - Updated: 2023-06-19T04:22:14.000Z - Description: The new look stuff newsletter continues with your brain begging you to slow down, as well the new Stuff Mixtape. I look at Dad Jokes, passports and flags to round out our week. - Author: Matt - Tags: Newsletter Happy Monday, I hope you're staying well. Thanks for the feedback on the [changes last week](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/stuff-141/), YOU didn't unsubscribe, so thank you for that as well. The most clicked link was the [Daily Maze](https://maze.toys/mazes/mighty/daily/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk), so I hope that no-one has been too lost since then! This week, we have the new [Stuff Mixtape: Edition #14](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/161QMdYfeycx5s29CqC5L4?si=2c55c1e591234984&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk), which is always a great accompaniment to the newsletter. Give it a spin now, and it'll keep you company as you read through this week. Till next Monday...enjoy! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2023/05/mattsig_personal-Background-Removed-1.png) --- ## 👓 The Big Stuff - your brain is begging you to slow down. Maybe it's because I'm at the end of a 2-week holiday, [but this article really resonated with me. ](https://psyche.co/ideas/slow-down-its-what-your-brain-has-been-begging-for?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) We spend a lot of our time at the command of notifications & alerts, with attention shifting constantly between tasks, messages and the 'next important thing'. [The average smartphone user has 46 push notifications per day](https://www.braze.com/resources/articles/what-makes-the-perfect-mobile-push-notification-check-out-our-top-dos-and-donts?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20average%20smartphone%20user,customer%20relationships%20and%20boosting%20revenue.), I expect if you work in tech that number could be 5x, maybe even 10x. Whilst on vacation, I didn't completely [ditch my smartphone](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/ditching-your-smartphone-is-it-for-you/), but I did put my phone away for a bit. Whilst it took me a while to get my concentration back together, I managed to read some books, listen to some music and relax. It has been a good reminder that a [regular digital detox is a good thing.](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/digital-detox-your-online-world/) My #1 target every time I detox, is to reduce my social media use as [there is very little understanding 0f what it is doing to our brains. ](https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theatlantic.com%2Ftechnology%2Farchive%2F2023%2F06%2Fsocial-media-teen-mental-health-crisis-research-limitations%2F674371%2F&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) After that, I focus on [removing distractions](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/eliminate-distractions?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) and retaining my attention, so that I can have time to be productive, slowly. [Slow productivity is back in the spotlight again](https://hive.com/blog/slow-productivity-meaning/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk), as a way to avoid burnout, rebalance work/life and look after your mental health. I live in one of [the top-25 best cities for work-life balance](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cities-with-the-best-work-life-balance/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk), but it is MY responsibility to look after that balance on a daily basis. 🦾 **Monday Motivation:** Let this week be the one you set some new boundaries. [ Maybe your 'out of office' should be on ALL the time? ](https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/careers/setting-work-boundaries-out-of-office/632254?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ## 🧠 The Other Stuff - [How good is your passport? ](https://www.passportindex.org/??ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Find out with the global passport index. - [I knew there was a reason. ](https://shelby.cool/field-of-flowers/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) It turns out that [Dad Jokes](https://www.rd.com/article/dad-joke-tweets/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) are good for the development of your children. - [Killed by Google.](https://killedbygoogle.com/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) After [another project dies quietly](https://9to5google.com/2023/06/15/google-domains-squarespace/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) in the barn next to the [Googleplex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Googleplex?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk), this site tracks the many other projects that Google has abandoned. - [Is this Phishy?](https://isthisphishy.io/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Send any email you suspect is a bit phishy to this site, and within 2 minutes you'll get a report back. No excuse for sending all your hard-earned cash to a strange prince. ✍🏼 **Journal Prompt:** *What's something you could change that would make you feel better about yourself?* [(Want more? Try here)](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/the-stuff30-journaling-challenge/) ## 🌞 The Little Stuff What would [(AI) Jesus](https://www.twitch.tv/ask%5Fjesus?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) advise? [Learn the 72 seasons that Japan enjoys.](https://www.nippon.com/en/features/h00124/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) A sortable garden: [Field of Flowers](https://shelby.cool/field-of-flowers/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk). Michelle Khare is YouTube's daredevil in the excellent [Challenge Accepted.](https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleKhare/videos?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Where does [the weather](https://www.howtogeek.com/880368/where-do-weather-apps-get-their-info-from/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) come from? Finally - [Flagwhiz](https://flagwhiz.com/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) will test your [vexillology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vexillology?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) knowledge on a daily basis. ## 🎧 Aural Stuff ### On the Stuff Speakers this week... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2023/06/giddyup.jpeg) [Edition #14 of the Stuff Mixtape](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/161QMdYfeycx5s29CqC5L4?si=f80172ed082040b4&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) is a fantastic journey through the tracks that have been in my orbit for the last month. I enjoyed making this mixtape for you, and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did. We open with a journey to the souk and the fantastic Habibi funk, followed by an exquisite remake of Africa by Toto. There is some classic soul, and some mariachi-soaked sounds from New York. From there, we go a bit poppy and a bit dancey - including the massive new single from Kylie which is a real earworm, and monster tunes from Elkke and Romy. Later on, we have huge tunes from Rival Consoles (who I saw live in May), Hot Chip and Roisin Murphy and a blistering tune remixed by techno royalty Carl Craig. As ever, things start to slow down and get gentler with lovely tracks from The Slow Show, Molly Lewis and an epic cover from King Hannah to take us home. Enjoy the Mixtape Journey! ([A reminder - the archive of Stuff Mixtapes is here](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/tag/mixtape/)) [💤 Sleep Hygiene: The Secret to Restful Nights and Energized DaysSleep is essential, and without it, we may feel like zombies trudging through life. Unfortunately, quality sleep can often be elusive, as hectic schedules, screen-time, and stress take a toll on our rest.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/03/favicon.png)Stuff that MattR'sMatt Rutherford![](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1617624969413-932d9b07f000?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDE4fHxzbGVlcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE2ODQ1ODk3NjZ8MA&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000)](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/sleep-hygiene-the-secret-to-restful-nights-and-energized-days/) ## 👂🏼 Stuff Someone Said > “Keep a little fire burning; however small, however hidden.” [Cormac McCarthy.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormac%5FMcCarthy?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk)