You are welcome to UNPLUG
In two days 40 people will embark with me to explore the boundaries we do (or don't) have with technology.
We call it UNPLUG 2014. But is is not just about unplugging. It is about intentionally creating more space and time in our lives. Reduce the busy.
Why online? Why in a group?
Accountability.
There is something about doing this together – something that makes me certain I'll show up. Power in numbers.
I'm at war with myself. This constant connection.
This text message, instant message, social media driven pace.
This nothing-happens-unless-there-is-photographic-evidence.
This, my-business-suffers-if-I-don't-show-up, here, online.
This no-one-talks-about-it-anymore-but-it-used-to-be-big-news the relationship between my cell phone and cancer.
This who am without it.
This which we have no idea how to navigate.
It is all so new. So fast. #wevenevereverlivedlikethisbefore
I don't understand it. And neither do you. But we both know, the boundaries move, and we nudge them and shift ourselves and play with these edges.
- Can you wait in line without your phone?
- Can you make it through a walk?
- A meal?
- Do you text while you drive? (Yes, a stoplight is still driving.)
- What about a day without your phone?
- What does that bring up for you?
I'll tell you what, it fucks me. Entirely.
Behind at work, feeling disconnected, anxious. That's why I am here.
What about you? Why are you joining me?
Not signed up yet? Do it HERE.
Supply Ideas. These are supportive ideas ONLY.
There is nothing you NEED to be successful that you don't already have.
- Something to scribble in. I just bought one of these journals.
- Water bottle. I have one of these I use to set my intentions.
- Flower essences. I often make my own, but I really love these.
- Something cozy to wrap and support you. I love bamboo scarves.
I invite you to comment below. Why are you here?
I'll begin.
It Takes All Day To Peel The Carrots
These was the farmers market.
There were the carrots and the parsnips and the brussel sprouts and the potatoes.
All I had to do was buy them and scrub them for dinner.
How did the farmers do it? How was there time in the day (they weren't blogging) to work the earth? How was there time (there was no Instagram) to haul the water? How was there time (there were no smart phones) to finish all the chores before bed.
Let's not forget that this technological lifestyle we live is so, so, so, so, so, so new.
Our brains are adapting to new advances so quickly. We can't even begin to imagine the reality of it. We are the generation of the BEFORE. Before the Internet.
When I was born, no one facebooked about it. It was private, but not lonely.
My children will never know the world before the Internet. They will never know how many books I used to read. They will never know me without a gadget in my hands. They will never glory in the Dewey decimal system. They will never have to pay for a long distance phone call. They won't miss, so deeply, someone's voice.
There is so much connectedness. It makes me tearful, this new world. It makes me want to scoop them up and take them to a different place and time. Take them somewhere simple. Take them to where technology won't sweep away their childhood. Their perceived innocence.
I want to let their brains unfold without stuffing them full. I want them to be bored. I want them to go play.
It's not even about parenting. It is about ourselves and our humanity. (Click to Tweet).
I know you feel it too.
-Hannah
Overwhelmed by the Internet
Sometimes the Internet is like that. Omnipresent. Addictive.
Pesky addictions.
Recently, coming down off being busy as hell, I cannot jet down. Everything is rushed. Nothing feels really, really, really, really good. I mean, don't get me wrong. My family is healthy, I found a great new home for one of my dogs, and what looms on the horizon is glimmering and golden.
But the Internet is like an overly crowed subway car and I just cannot stop staring at the see-through white pants and black thong in front of me.
Fuck me I am tired and stuck online.
From blog posts to cool tools to home renovations to laundry sorting bins research to articles.
There is just TOO much information.
How can there be so much I want to read? EVERY.SINGLE.DAY
Frozen bubbles? How to clean my cookies sheets? Vaccine controversy?
Seriously, shouldn't it get boring? Shouldn't there be no more new ideas? Shouldn't I be doing something MORE IMPORTANT?
And here I am, contributing to all of that. Another drop in the bucket. Another voice in the choir. Blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Google Plus, Tumblr. Platform after platform. SO MUCH CONTENT.
Today I choose: Will I shout loudly or will I whisper?
Island Life
So the deal is this: A bunch of my family bought property here, on Block Island, in the 70's and 80's. The land was dirt cheap and the island pretty inaccessible. That's all changed.
So the deal is this: A bunch of my family bought property here, on Block Island, in the 70's and 80's. The land was dirt cheap and the island pretty inaccessible. That's all changed. It's a booming tourist industry where land is unbelievably expensive and the tourist population runs wild. While my family used to own cool retail stores, they now rent their properties. This place is how I got turned on the the rental & real estate business. So typically, our houses are rented in summertime – and thats okay with me. After the tourists leave an the seasons begin to shift the island becomes ours once again. Fall out here can be warm, swimming, leisure days or blustery stew and fireplace weather. Totally unpredictable, totally perfect. Picking pears and apples, making pie, eating beef stew in front of a crackling fire. Tanning on the deck, taking outdoor showers, walking down the beach. Is this the life?
I am so
lucky
to have the life flexibility I have. Thank you internet (ahh, online businesses). Thank you Nicole (my trusty assistant). So, if you need me, catch me online; I'm on
island time.
Mmmm, blog lovin'. More here:
By Popular Demand: Mini Computer Help Session
A P.I.C.N.I.C. is a derogatory term for a person with a computer problem where the problem ISN'T the computer.
It stands for PROBLEM IN CHAIR, NOT IN COMPUTER.
This applies to most of us, some of the time. When you find it applies to you, I'd like to help.
A P.I.C.N.I.C. is a derogatory term for a person with a computer problem where the problem ISN'T the computer.
It stands for PROBLEM IN CHAIR, NOT IN COMPUTER.
This applies to most of us, some of the time. When you find it applies to you, I'd like to help.
So, I have started to offer Mini Computer Help Sessions ( and for those times that your mom calls you at 9PM because she can't see an attachment. Give her my number).
Here is some of what we can do:
- Create a system to organize your files. On your computer, on Dropbox, on Google Docs, or any kind of combination. Having your electronic "stuff" organized and streamlined makes your life SO much easier. I can also help you set up, decide between or discuss any of these organization/backup platforms.
- Update and organize your Mac. We can find and install new programs, update the old ones and help you make computer-related decisions.
- Set up a new Mac or transfer your stuff from an old one. Pictures, files, music, etc. Let's make it FLOW!
- Implement a computer back up process that works for you (hard drive or cloud based). You really, really don't want to lose your stuff. Have practices that make you feel safe.
- Organize your email. How many messages does your inbox have in it? How do you know what's on your to-do list? Can you easily find messages you need?
- Set up a blog or simple website. Yes, there is so much you can do yourself with a little help!
- Sync your Mac products in a way that works for you. iPhone, iPad, desktop, laptop. Your calendar should be EASY to use, not matter what the platform!
- Explain what ANY of the above means. This is your session. You tell me what you want to learn!
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE ABOUT THE SESSION.
Want more? See below:
How to be Crazy Successful - And a Suggestion for Organizing your "to read" Internet Stuff
Yesterday, my site www.wearyourmusic.org had over 21K unique visitors. It is the first large e-commerce site I have ever designed and since it only launched two days before this, it has been a pretty epic test. It has also involved an onslaught of emails that are INSANE.
Here are some good collected reads that I am saving to read again once this insanity dies down a bit. (It always does, remember ebb and flow!)
- Well, first off, take care of yourself and get up early.
- Hone your communication skills.
- Work on your MARKETING SKILLS, yo.
- Compensate those who work with you.
Read these and inn the meantime, send me thoughts of calm and togetherness :)