Hello, friends. I hope you all had a great weekend!
Lately I've been trying to spend my weekends as offline as possible. (Hence more of a tumbleweed-zone around the blog, my bad, my bad.) I owe this in large part to my lists. I've always loved to write lists - lists about my favorite things, lists about books I want to read, grocery lists, you name it. But I also love to write lists about my goals and how I can improve the quality of my day to day life. A recurring theme? GET OFFLINE.
I don't know about you, but the more time I spend online, the more I turn into a less than desirable version of myself. As in, I start falling into the trap of comparison and end up wasting time and draining myself. #Bleh
As amazing a tool as the Internet can be, for me, it can also be harmful. So I've been trying to unplug as much as possible starting each week after work on Friday. This isn't always easy, but I've been largely attempting to avoid social media and instead spend more time in the real, physical world.
More coffee shops. The beauty of being online is that you can have community without having to speak, but the same thing can be true of coffee shops. Writing and reading over an iced green tea while listening to good tunes and the sounds of people all around you = instant inspiration and peace.
More Jesus. My prayer life definitely gets stronger when I'm not focusing as much on notifications or comparing myself to people on the 'Gram.
More reading. My number one go-to when I can't be online? Reading books. Take some time to unplug and grab a good book. Depending on the book, it can feel like an instant adventure.
More walks, more tea, more music...More everything, really.
More Jesus. My prayer life definitely gets stronger when I'm not focusing as much on notifications or comparing myself to people on the 'Gram.
More reading. My number one go-to when I can't be online? Reading books. Take some time to unplug and grab a good book. Depending on the book, it can feel like an instant adventure.
More walks, more tea, more music...More everything, really.
Yes, I recently took a break from social media for a month, and it was so refreshing - I can agree with the 'more everything.' I got so much more reading done, and it was wonderful. But I think your idea to go offline on weekends is great as well - it sounds like a good balance! And yes to all the lists! :D Hope you have a great week as well!
ReplyDeleteI love that you took a whole month off! That takes commitment and I bet you learned so much. RIGHT?! I'm shocked at how much more time I have to just sit and read when I'm offline. I didn't realize just how significant of a time suck the Internet can be. Maybe I will take a week or two off and see how that works and then work my way up to a month? Could be fun a challenge! <3 Thanks for commenting, Jessica!
DeleteLove this! I've made a point to try and spend Sundays particularly offline and that has been very refreshing!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! <3 Oooh Sundays are the best days offline. Saturdays can be busy and fun, but my Sundays are typically lazy and just having that time to rest and read sans the Internet is the jam. :)
Delete#bleh is right! I am quite the same way -- too much time in the digital world and I start to fall into the comparison trap. not good!
ReplyDeleteI think all of us could do with a little more time offline and a lot more time engaging in the real world with others. (Including myself!!)
My favorite things to do in real life include going on nature walks, listening to music while I swing, and going on photography adventures with my sister.
Tips for unplugging: Actually delete the apps. (Even though it may be a pain to re-download every Monday in your case.) Sign out of your accounts and have someone you trust reset the passwords and give them to you. Leave your phone at home.
Thank you for sharing this, I'm glad I'm not the only one. I don't know what it is about the Internet that has me falling into those comparison lies, but it's a real thing, yo. #SoMuchBleh
DeleteNATURE WALKS FOR THE WIN. Those are my favorite things to do on the weekends, especially in Fall. *Eagerly awaiting sweater weather* Photography adventures with the sister are also the best. And if you combine that with a nature walk, it's like next level joy! :)
Thanks for the tips! Leaving my phone at home (or in the car) during weekends could definitely be something helpful. Or just storing it away from my reach when I'm relaxing at home. I appreciate this so much, thanks Rosie! :) <3
I love some time offline - especially in coffee shops, where I can write and I have the most of my inspirations from. I take pictures and write my best poems.
ReplyDeleteAren't coffee shops just the best?! :) It's so fun to be around people and their energy and stories but also be creating and quiet and peaceful. I can't praise coffee shops enough. <3
DeleteSame! I always get to work done there! It's perfect if it's a small, cosy place, but even starbucks will do :D
DeleteStarbucks will definitely work in a pinch! I quite like their coffee when I'm in the mood to take a break from tea. :)
DeleteI definitely need to take more time off from the internet. Lately especially, I've felt so sucked in. When I do take little breaks I realize how many little things I've been missing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great reminder, Erin!
Oh, girl, same. I struggle with this all the time! I completely understand that feeling of observing everything with new eyes after unplugging for a while. I hope you get the chance to take some time for offline peace soon! :) Thanks for commenting!!
DeleteWhen I’m visiting friends out of town, I often totally forget to look at phone or get on my laptop but on a regular basis I spend a lot of time online due to all of my good friends being long distance. I enjoy being offline but it’s also a big communication method for me.
ReplyDeleteI totally get that! There are family members and friends that live far away and in that, it's an amazing tool for sure! I love that you just lose yourself in those sweet moments with friends. Sometimes we can get so caught up in documenting the moment that it takes over the moment itself. Just being with people is the most fun. Thanks for commenting, Victoria! :)
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