I hope you all had a restful three-day weekend! Me and my Mom hightailed it to the writing cabin this weekend for running, reading and relaxing. (And also listening to the new Taylor Swift album, which I can confidently say is a SOLID BOP.) Being away from my usual tech-filled surroundings for a little bit has got me thinking even more about social media and what it means to live a slow-paced life.
Here's What I've Learned:
I rely on technology a lot for entertainment. Being away from a stable internet connection made me realize just how much I am always checking my notifications. Like, constantly. Being without the internet forced me to do things that I usually tell myself I don't have the time for - like writing my novel (*ahem*), reading, taking walks, reading the Word and going for a run.
Doing nothing is underrated.
Often I feel like I have to be productive or doing something meaningful at all times, but there's something to be said for just recharging. It reminds me of this verse:
Contemplating clouds and counting your blessings sound like such cliche ways to unwind, but these are a couple of things that made this weekend so peaceful and whole.
Also, a salted caramel cookie skillet from Outback. WOWZA
It's okay not to share everything. Living slow-paced for a couple of days showed me just how plugged-in and update-hungry I am sometimes. I don't need to share everything, nor do I always need to know what everyone else is up to! It's fun to share, of course, but there is also something blissful in relishing a moment and forgetting about the online world...
...because the offline world can be a pretty amazing place, too. On Saturday I went for a run on a nature trail and I didn't see a single person, only one solitary deer hiding in the trees. (Same.) I found myself praising God for the sky and the trees and mornings. Nature is such a wonderful re-energizer. ♥
What about you?
It is so easy to get sucked into technology and I find myself checking social media WAY too often...especially when I'm bored and could be doing a dozen other things.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely thinking of changing my schedule to start the day with a good 30 minutes without technology to enjoy a cup of tea, Bible study, or even just exercising.
Side note: that super cute coffee shop looks a lot like one near my college campus!
Same! It usually comes from a place of boredom or restlessness. If I have nothing else to do I will definitely gravitate towards the internet.
DeleteThat sounds wonderful! My favorite mornings are always spent in nature. <3
That's awesome! It is one of my favorite little cozy spots to grab food when I'm out of town. :) <3
I know I said it when you posted about it once before, but that's an awesome little cabin! So many cozy and creative vibes!
ReplyDeleteMmm, those are some good lessons too. I know what you mean about checking notifications! (I did that way too much today. :'( It seems to be a great way to procrastinate on assignments.)
It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend - I'm glad you got to disconnect and spend time with God in nature! Thanks, once again, for an inspiring post. xx
Thank you! It's one of my favorite spots to read and decompress. I'm trying to find more spots like this in my hometown - parks are usually a great go-to! :)
DeleteThe internet is honestly the single biggest distraction when you're trying to get anything done, especially homework! (It seems to be 10 times as bad when you're writing an essay!)
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad this resonated with you. :)
Agreeeeeeeeeeeed. Even a couple years ago one of the first things I ever wrote and shared on an online platform was literally about the unappreciated art of 'doing nothing.' As wired humans we need the break. Sounds like a really beautiful tranquil couple of days, and the photographs are so dreamy, earth-coloured and calm, thanks for sharing! let's all try to live a more slow-paced life from time to time... xxxxx
ReplyDeleteOooh, you should link me to that post, I'd love to read it. For some reason, the whole "doing nothing" thing just doesn't come naturally to me, although sometimes I wish it would. It was a great relaxing weekend. Thank you so much! It was fun to snap a few photos, I haven't gotten to shoot in a while. Thanks again for all your kind words! Have an awesome rest of your week!! :)
DeleteEverything about this post was lovely and peaceful.
ReplyDeleteI have such a hard time taking breaks, but I do want to unplug and take a week to completely be at rest.
Thanks so much, Evangeline! :) I do, too. I love the idea of not a day or a couple of days but, like you said, a whole WEEK to be at rest. I think with Thanksgiving coming up I am going to try and take more time to unplug and just be with family and the Lord. :) Thanks for commenting!! <3
DeleteOkay, this post=life.
ReplyDelete<3 <3 <3
I relate so much to this, and omigosh, it's perf. You describe my exact feelings in a tiny post, wow!
And Taylor's new album is actually amazing, her old songs were so whiney and exactly the same, I'm so glad she's fixing her career!
Thank you so much!! <3 That means a lot!! :)
DeleteShe's definitely moving in a new, more cohesive direction and I didn't expect to love "reputation" as much as I do! I think it's actually going to top "Fearless" for me.
Thanks for commenting!! :) <3
This sounds like a beautiful way to spend your time, just unwinding and distancing yourself from the world for awhile. It's something my soul needs a lot of as well. Love this!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! As an introvert, I definitely need that time to just unplug and relax. I hope that you get some peaceful time today to enjoy resting and recharging! :)
DeleteThis is such a needed reminder. I am so bad at getting sucked into the "share+update" life ... trying to balance the necessity of having a working social media platform with being real and honest and present, you know? I'm not very good at it yet but I'm hoping to keep improving :) Thanks for always posting such meaningful and thoughtful posts!
ReplyDeleteYES you hit the nail on the head - Being real and honest and present in real life and online is SO tough. I always find myself balancing my desire for photography and aesthetics with being a genuine human behind the screen. It can be tricky sometimes! I think you are doing a great job. Your blog is one of my favorites because of your authentic heart. Thank you so much for your kind words, Olivia! They mean a lot!! :) <3
DeleteI truly love this post so much. I worry so often about not finishing a blog post on time, or texting that person back or responding to comments or reading other people's posts. While I love to do those things, I have to be willing to give it up for my own sanity. Blogging (and social media) can't come first in my life. God and my family must be first. This was such a fabulous reminder and I can't thank you enough, Erin. <3 <3 <3
ReplyDelete~ Ella Marie
Thank you so much!! I do that, too. It's usually a self-imposed deadline or a high expectation of mine that makes me lose my balance! You're totally right about prioritizing self-care and peace of mind. There's always going to be another post to comment on, picture to share, etc. It never ends. But God and family are constants. Thank you again for all your kind words, Ella Marie! I really appreciate them. Have an awesome day!! :)
Deleteeee erin that exodus quote is favorite verse!!
ReplyDeletereally loved this post!! paragraph 2 was SO true. thank you for sharing your wisdom!
It's one of my favorites, too! I have to go back to it when I'm trying to make everything happen. It's really awesome to just be still and realize God has it all under His control. I'm glad you resonated with this. Thank you so much for commenting!! :)
DeleteI've definitely been making a point to slow down lately. I always take off the last hour of my night to just relax and one day a week I just do nothing but rest and it's been so much better for my health.
ReplyDeletestoritorigrace.blogspot.com
That is so awesome! I need to follow that pattern, too. I have been thinking of having a "No Internet Day" once a week where I don't even touch Instagram, my blog, Facebook, etc. I think it will make a difference!
DeleteThanks for commenting! Hope NaNoWriMo is still going well for ya! :)
I do the same thing as well but recently I have been trying a lot harder not to be on my phone and social media as often. The run where you saw the deer sounds really nice!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely takes an effort to put down the tech but it is worth it in the end. Glad that you've been successful with this! That just proves it's not impossible! :) And it was an awesome run, it definitely recharged me. Thanks for commenting, Vanessa! :)
DeleteYes yes YES. This is, daily, a constant struggle... I know how easy it is to just dive right into the metal rectangle in my hand. Lucky for me I shattered my phone yesterday and it's been having some battery issues so I feel like I'm at a crossroads-- maybe to downgrade to a less-smart phone (I've always had some nostalgic love for the flip/slidey keyboards!) or just deal with the unpredictability (kinda fun!) of being shut off for many hours... it's definitely a great and wondrous thing to just *be* in the world... we don't realize how much we use technology til it's gone and I have to remind myself that people had lives before we had all these distractions. I love listening to music, getting lost in a novel, and running about in God's creation, and getting lost in conversation with someone at a coffee shop.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely all things vibrant and full of life, no battery needed (:
Lovely post, thank you, as always, for sharing your beautiful words!
xx
steph
www.strictlystephanie.blogspot.com
I love your perspective on breaking your phone! I remember always wanting an old school pink Razr phone, so I can relate. :) Just being is the great - there is a greatness in getting caught up in the real world. I walked in the park today and felt so small among the trees and it was a moment of just breathing, being. :)
DeleteGoodness, I just want to stand up and clap for this comment! So much truth and wisdom here.
Thanks for your sweet comment!! It means a lot. :) <3
*Just being is so great
DeleteGAH
Agreed, the world, unplugged is beautiful too. In fact, it's more beautiful if we put down our phones. So jealous you got to enjoy a weekend like this. It seems so relaxing. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteJoy to the World
Yes, when we put our phones down and just take a breather in the real world it can help put things back in perspective! Thanks for commenting!! I hope your weekend is lovely as well! :)
DeleteFirst of all, I would just like to say how much I LOVE your blog! I just ran across it, I LOVE it, and I followed. I would be really honored if you would check out my blog.
ReplyDeleteOver the past couple of days, I've really been struggling with using my phone and wasting so much time. Not only that, but I'm realizing that if I'm out with friends, with my family, or other things like that, not EVERYTHING needs to be documented. I need to stay in the moment, and not everyone needs to know about it. Just because you don't post about it doesn't mean it didn't happen. I need that reminder a lot of days.
I've been going to work out because it's been so cold here at the gym, and it's so nice to just run and not have my phone. Away from the distractions, and I can use that time to pray a lot too. Can't wait to keep reading your blog, and thanks for the reminder!
Aw, Lauren, you are so sweet! Thank you so much for your kindness. Of course I will check out your blog! :) I totally agree, whenever I'm out doing something fun with family and friends I can have that urge to post about it, but there's something to be said for just enjoying a moment. I love praying during a run! Being in nature, running and talking to God simultaneously is the ultimate form of peace for me. I'm glad you enjoy those sweet moments too!
DeleteThanks again for your wonderful comment!! :) <3 Have an awesome weekend!
This is the best reminder. I really need to unplug sometime soon...I just always feel so much clearer when I do!
ReplyDeleteSo do I. I have been thinking about this so much lately and trying to actually apply it. It can be tricky but not impossible. Hope you have a great rest of your weekend! :)
DeleteNot reading anything that could be defined as "awesome" but I'm about to start a 700+ page biography on Alexander Hamilton. It's got to be the thickest book I've ever read.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite way to decompress (as you put it), is to live in cycles. Example would be a six-day work and seventh-day rest. And by rest I mean no internet, no shopping, running errands, no laundry - nothing. I think it's so important to make unplugging / rest / slowing down a regular habit, not just something you do every once in a while. When it becomes a habit, it's not something that you stress about because you "wish" you had time to rest, or you "want" to schedule time for it. Rest has it's own day of the week, and you know it's there waiting for you.
cheers.
k.
p.s. Your posts have me thinking of so many ideas I want to blog about. So thank you.
Over 700 pages? Wowza, imagine writing a book that long! GAH. I salute you! :)
DeleteHaving a seventh-day rest sounds awesome, but it's also really hard! Because a lot of the things you described (laundry, shopping, etc.) are tasks I might try to accomplish on my rest day. I think I just have a tough time resting in general? I love the way you put that - "Rest has its own day of the week and you know it's there waiting for you." We really do have to make the time and guard and protect our rest days. We need them!
Thank you so much for your awesome comment! I'm glad my words could help spark some new post ideas. Have an awesome rest of your weekend, Keira! :)