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.
Frozen.
I used to say I loved winter. To hunker down inside and work and work and work and work. To turn inward. To reflect and hibernate and put down roots and RITUALS.
(I won't forget it's beautiful.)
(I won't forget it's beautiful.)
(I won't forget it's beautiful.)
But this winter I am feeling more trapped. More restricted.
Frozen.
I guess I've something still to learn about stillness. (Click to Tweet)
So now each time I feel trapped, I promise you I'll take a breath.
So now each time I feel restrained, I'll raise my arms and spin in place.
So now each time I must pick my steps so slowly so as not so slip, I will ground and relish in the slowness and intention.
So now each time I pull at the layers, I will relax into the feeling of being held.
So now each time I want to breathe the air, I simply will. And feel the cold bite of frozen air.
And I will promise to capture a few of these moments in the stillness.
After all, we are lucky to have these frozen moments.
Moving Life
I know I am not the only one who loves moving. But I really do. I've been getting rid of stuff lately and now I am so excited to pare down even more and pack up.
We were approved for our loan (our third, ohmygod) to buy the new blue house! And we close (I think) in about two weeks.
Now on the agenda:
I know I am not the only one who loves moving. But I really do. I've been getting rid of stuff lately and now I am so excited to pare down even more and pack up.
We were approved for our loan (our third, ohmygod) to buy the new blue house! And we close (I think) in less than ten days.
Now on the agenda:
- Packing. (Yippee Yeah YEAH Yahoo!)
- Fixing up our current place. Want to come paint window trim for us? Also, patching walls, cleaning, primping, making gorgeous.
- Trying to rent our current apt. See listing HERE. And please, pass it around.
- Taking care of two kids, running a few businesses, and wait, doing this all in the next two weeks!
- Is there something I am missing? Like dreaming about stuff for the new house on etsy?
- Oh, right, taking off the trim in the laundry room to get the washer out, switching the plug back to a euro to put in a different washer/dryer, getting the mason to come and re-tile the shower....crap! Go, team, go!
And now, because you always look for this:
Mindfulness in Moving
Things to notice as you go:
- SPACE. Stop. Breathe it it, feel it around you.
- STUFF. See your attachments. Note them & move gently along.
- DECISIONS. Yes, we all make them. Trust yourself deeply.
- TIME. Things change. We are always IN FLUX. Breathe again. Accept.
- CALM. Even in the most harrowed moments, there are other moments within.
Close your eyes and smile. You CAN do this.
Read more and read it here:
Waiting
With my first pregnancy, I had gestational diabetes. Despite no indicators for it in my medical history, I failed all the tests and ended up eating a very strict diet and taking my blood 4 times per day for just under half of my pregnancy. Luckily, my daughter was fine, and I had no residual complications...
“Waiting is the hardest part...You take it on faith, you take it to the heart.”
With my first pregnancy, I had gestational diabetes. Despite no indicators for it in my medical history, I failed all the tests and ended up eating a very strict diet and taking my blood 4 times per day for just under half of my pregnancy. Luckily, my daughter was fine, and I had no residual complications.
Well, I am pregnant again. And the chances of having gestational diabetes in a subsequent pregnancy is high, something like 85%. So, this time around I've had to test for it twice. And I've had to wait for the results, twice. Man, waiting is uncomfortable for me. My last test was yesterday and I waited all day today for my doctor to call. I want to define what I felt when I say "waiting." I certainly didn't sit by the phone (the phone sat by me though). I kept busy (not too hard with a toddler and a few businesses to run). But, there was always that thought about the results circling in my mind. And that's what I mean by waiting. I mean my whole brain isn't present that some part of my thoughts are awaiting some future moment, and it is distracting to say the least.
I find myself waiting a lot. Waiting for software to upload, waiting for my daughter to fall asleep, waiting in line doing errands, waiting for the response to an email, waiting for bedtime when I can finish a good book, waiting for my husband to come back from a shoot, waiting, waiting, waiting. Not being wholly present. So my question started off like this: How do I get rid of the waiting feeling? And then I thought, "Well, the waiting feeling isn't the issue, it is the thoughts that go along with waiting: the what ifs, the future plans, the leaning away from the preset." So, my discovery was to try to just be with the waiting, not to work on it, or through it, or get rid of it or anything. But just to be with it.
And guess what? I beat the odds and I don't have gestational diabetes this pregnancy! I am thrilled (or as thrilled as I can be at six months pregnant on a 90 degree day.) But though my appreciation of the fact that I can eat ice cream this summer is great, what is greater to me is this lesson about being with something instead of thinking about it.
So, I was waiting for test results, and it was uncomfortable. And that's that. I didn't have to circle though the possible outcomes and resulting questions an necessary actions. All of that thinking was an ineffective use of my brain power. All I really had to do was wait, and be with the waiting. Did it change the outcome? No, of course not. But it did change mg experience.
Are you willing to try?
Start simple: Next time you are in line somewhere, or waiting for something or someone, try to focus just on the feeling of waiting. Don't think about what is next, or where you could be, or what else you might be doing. Just be with the waiting and know that it is okay.