Tired of Tech Overload?

We've all been there, right? Watching TV with a laptop on our lap while endlessly scrolling through our phones – our screens can sometimes take over our lives.

But in this age of constant notifications and endless digital distractions, what's a modern-day individual to do?

Enter "monk mode," the latest productivity trend that draws inspiration from, you guessed it, monks and their peaceful, tech-free lifestyles.

So, what exactly is it? Well, think of it as a combination of detox and productivity hack. Monk mode revolves around breaking free from digital diversions to achieve that elusive state of deep focus.

While the concept isn't entirely new – entrepreneurs were preaching this back in the early 2000s – it's recently gained massive traction on social media. You'll find the hashtag #monkmode racking up a staggering 68.8 million+ views on TikTok.

In a rather ironic twist, those in search of enlightenment are utilizing technology to stay offline:

• The Freedom app, with over 2.5 million global users, allows you to block specific social sites or even shut off your internet access entirely.

• FocusMe lets you customize your website-blocking preferences (want to block everything on Facebook except for that one group? No problem!).

• Cold Turkey boasts website blockers that are seemingly impossible to break.

• And for those who love a dash of gamification, there's Forest. It lets you plant both real and digital trees each time you meet your focus goals.

Monk mode arrives on the scene at a time when many are yearning to break free from the endless cycle of notifications.

It's just one of the recent tech trends that are pushing consumers back to the basics:

• Gen Z is falling in love with flip phones and old-school cameras.

• Record players are making a major comeback.

• There are even clubs of young folks dedicated to completely disconnecting from technology.

So, go ahead, log off for a while.*

*Just remember to always open our Fight Club For Women emails – I promise they're worth it! ~RS 😉🌲📵

Alright, here's the lowdown on a surprising move from the Biden administration – they're building a border wall, despite earlier promises not to.

Lets break it down:

Earlier this week, the Biden administration gave the green light to extend the border wall by about 20 miles in Starr County, Texas. To do this, they waived a total of 26 federal laws, including big ones like the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Why? Well, they say it's to tackle the issue of "high illegal entry" into the US, which has seen around 245,000 cases this fiscal year. It's no secret that cities near the border have been grappling with an influx of migrants.

But here's the twist:

During his 2020 campaign, Biden had pledged that not a single additional foot of border wall would be built under his leadership. So, why the change of heart? According to the administration, they tried to redirect the funds earmarked for the wall to other purposes, but Congress didn't give the green light. Some critics, like Rep. Henry Cuellar from Texas, see this as a backward move, describing the border wall as a "14th-century solution to a 21st-century problem." Environmentalists are also concerned, as this expansion could potentially harm endangered plants and species. And then, there's former President Trump, who famously championed the "Build that Wall" slogan during his 2016 campaign and is now watching the developments with interest, waiting for... an apology, it seems.

Now, a little context:

The US-Mexico border stretches out over a whopping 1,951 miles. During the Trump administration, they managed to cover about 4% of it with a wall. Fast forward to today, and the Biden administration is making a U-turn by adding 20 more miles to that mix.

A Longtime British Pantry Staple, Baked Beans Can Now Be UK-Grown

Baked beans on toast is somewhat of a delicacy in the United Kingdom. According to the BBC, the country consumes more than 2 million cans of the saucy legumes every day, and Guinness World Records even gave the nation the “Largest baked bean consumption per capita” title.

Inspiring Stories

Making waves
Lewis Pugh is the only person to have completed a long-distance swim in each of the world’s oceans, and the 53-year-old recently achieved another feat: swimming 315 miles down the Hudson River.

“Everybody cares”
America’s health care system is a major contributor to pollution and carbon emissions. Meet the doctors who are working to make it more sustainable and rallying their colleagues to join in the fight.

AROUND THE WEB

On this day: In 2010, Instagram was released on Apple’s App Store. Facebook purchased the company for $1B in 2012.

That’s interesting: The story of America’s first banned book, Thomas Morton’s New English Canaan.

Cure boredom: With Tic-Tac-Toe.

Aww: One of these things is not like the others.