The photos are just simple moments during the week. I’ve been working on being more intentional on shutting out excess noise in my life, and while doing so, I’ve noticed that I can no longer just enjoy a dull moment. If I have a free second at home, at a red light (totally guilty!), standing in line, or sitting as a passenger, I will automatically grab my phone to check it (email and instagram). It’s this mindless habit that I have become accustomed to and it’s absolutely horrible. This bad habit has contributed to some of the noise in my life and I have really been working on getting rid of it.
Ben and I were sitting outside one evening and he went inside to grab something. I saw the iPad right there on the table, it was either just sit there and do nothing, or grab the iPad. I wanted to grab it so badly, probably to check Pinterest or something, but I had to resist. There was nothing I had to look at, nothing urgent at all, but I’ve trained myself to fill my dull moments with an electronic device.
Therefore, this week I’ve tried to enjoy the dull moments more. Once the girls go to bed, I usually get on the computer to blog, email, or just waste more time (hello Pinterest and online window shopping!), but this week I’ve planned my evenings to stay away from the computer. I even enjoyed a glass or two of wine while reading a book or watching something relaxing on Netflix. The girls are usually getting ready for bed by 7pm, so if I have to do something online, I’ll try do it between 7-8pm, and then after that, step away and enjoy the evening with Ben. It’s been so refreshing. I feel like we’re both always working on our home, but we never get to enjoy our home. Does that make sense?! It’s like everyday is go, go, go, and we never actually sit there and enjoy it. Anyone else feel that way?
I’m going to keep on trying to enjoy these dull moments as they come. Sure, sometimes I may still check something on my phone, but I don’t want that to be my go-to all the time. It’s lame for my kids to see and I’m probably missing out on a lot of great things by looking down, even if it’s just for a couple minutes.
dear rubyellen,
pizza and wine are never dull.
<3 your friends,
pizza and wine
(aka drea)
Very true dear pizza and wine!
i love this. time away from screens doesn’t happen often these days! i want to make a conscious effort to do that too!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
I’m a little unsettled by the use of the word “dull” in this post. I’m French and I’m not an expert in English so maybe I’m mistaken but it seems to have a negative touch.
These wonderful moments when you can enjoy being instead of doing are not dull! They keep you grounded and connected to yourself ant that’s so good! I would rather call them quiet or peacefull.
Sometimes when life goes crazy with work and the kids and the laundry and the cooking, I just sit down if I can, close my eyes, become aware of my body and breathe consciously. Enven if it is only for a single minute, it really helps to slow down and keep things in perspective.
Anyway, I think you’re really brave to challenge yourself and question your habits. I wish you many of these moments.
I agree with you, I think in “dull” I mean those simple moments that are meant to be enjoyed and used for a breather or just take a second to relax. Instead though, I turn that small moment into a time to check my phone (out of habit) and so I think it’s that bad habit I need to get rid of. I don’t really need to check it that often.
thanks for this post! it is a challenge to appreciate those seemingly mundane moments, and i am also guilty of automatically turning to the phone instead of being present when nothing seems to be happening. it’s great that you are aware of what you’d like to change and are taking steps to change!
Ruby Ellen, I totally understand where you are coming from – my husband fills all the quite moments with his damn phone checking Instagram or FB – drives me mad! I’ve sent him the link to your post! We’ll see what happens. Px
Yes I feel this way. It worries me that our kids are growing up noticing that mom and dad always have a device in their hands. I am trying to be mindful of this as my kids step out of toddlerhood and into their childhoods. There are so many things that I know in my heart need to change. Of course now that fantasy football is starting the boys are going to think that daddy’s phone is just part of his body. 🙁
I know. It’s such a bad habit. It’s taking work to break, but I’m working on it.
Such a good reminder. I worry that it will be even harder for our kids to learn to intentionally “unplug” when they are grown up, having grown up with all this, and who know’s how thinks will change by then. It’s something we have to actually teach- largely by example! By the way, I love the photographs you take of your kids, home, life, and was wondering what you do to preserve them? Do you make photo books or albums? I would love a post about that!
I’m horrible at making photo albums. It’s so sad! I have them all on my computer. I have made a couple video slideshows, but that’s about it.
Love these photos and thoughts about appreciating life around us. Thanks for the reminder.
So true! About a year or so ago I decided to only check social media and blogs (really mainly yours:)) in the half hour or so after putting the kids in bed. No more checking at the red light 🙂 ect… It really helps a lot, though I still need some help being in the present. I am reading ‘The power of now’ by Eckhart Tolle right now, it is a good one! As always: thanks for sharing so honestly!
I know. We have all filled our lives with so much more fluff. Totally not necessary. I’m really trying to break my bad habits. It’s so hard though!
I am totally guilty of this myself! I am secretly happy that there is no cell phone service on the NY Subway, so I can actually just enjoy a book or magazine on the way to work. If I want to rid of the noise, I find that removing the device from the room really helps. Just having it out of sight, out of mind is really helpful and let’s me just enjoy the moment and the people I am with. There are so many distractions these days and I have a terrible feeling of FOMO (fear of missing out) when I am not constantly checking my social media platforms. But sometimes, it’s nice to just ENJOY life instead of documenting everything and watching what everyone else is doing all the time. Thanks for this post!
XO,
Gina
http://www.popcornandpandas.com
I agree. I’m totally working on the just enjoying part! Grabbing for your phone during a free moment is such a hard habit to break.