I spend too much time looking at a screens; phone screens, computer screens, iPad screens, by the time I get to bed at night my eyes actually hurt. In fact they still hurt when I wake up in the morning. It’s getting a little bit overwhelming so I’ve decided that I’m going to have a little break from it all in September. I won’t be blogging or updating social media (well maybe the occasional Instagram), I’m forcing myself to do other things than just sit in front of a computer screen for most of the day.
The pressure of creating new content for the blog sometimes feels like I’m on a hamster wheel running around, going faster and faster but not actually getting anywhere. Time to step off the wheel for a bit and see what happens.
I have a ton of personal projects that have been ignored and it’s time to prioritise how I spend my day. Maybe I’ll get a few thing done, maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll just get bored. I won’t know till I try a different way.
Poor Emma gets ignored a lot because “mummy is busy”. Being an only child she tends to spend much of her time at home entertaining herself, it’s made her very independent, but I know she craves my attention and sees my phone and laptop as her competition. I’m going to try to be more present for her.
I’ll be checking and replying to e-mails once a day (for 1 hour max.) and I’m going to allow myself a little bit of Netflix in the evenings whilst I’m crafting, because going cold turkey is not a good look for me (and I’ve still got two seasons of Battlestar Galactica to watch).
Here is a list of things that I’d like to do more of in September instead of doing internet stuff.
- Knit
- Read a book
- Go for walks
- Cook dinner most nights (we get a lot of takeaway)
- Make some jam
- Go to the playground after school
- Invite a friend around for morning tea
- Explore a new suburb
- Go swimming
- Tackle the mending and alterations clothes pile
- Tidy up the sewing room
- Restart ballet classes
- Sew
- File my giant piles of paperwork
- Visit friends
- Take a day trip to the country
- Hang out at my new local cafe (maybe I could read my book there)
That’s a lot of things, I’ll be happy if I manage to do even half.
I’ll report back in October (if I last that long) to tell you how it went.
Are you in need of a digital detox? Maybe try a screen free September for yourself.
Good on you for taking a break when you need it. I’ve been planning out how to spend less time in front of a screen as well. Looking forward to hearing how September goes for you – hope you have a great one x
I know exactly how you feel and am sometimes tempted to take a lot of time off, too. Enjoy your screen-free month! 🙂 Lisa
I am feeling exactly the same, I need a detox from the screens. its crazy how addicted we are to the internet. My list sounds very similar to you! I really want to focus and read a novel. I am ashamed to admit that I haven’t read a book since high school, ha ha I am 37! I also feel my 2 girls are suffering with me been busy on the computer etc… Yes definitely time for change!
I want to do it too. I was a happier person before screens entered my life. Maybe September will be the time to start.
Good for you! I back you 100%. I’ve been forgoing the screens in the evenings including television so I can focus on my sewing. I can’t go cold turkey either, but a little bit at a time and some discipline, it’s actually helping me.
Good for you. We all need to do this. I’m going to try and do the same. I’ll check in to see how it goes.
I wanted to let you know I purchased your book awhile ago, and I was in the process of making a PDF pattern. I shared your site and your book on my blog today here @
https://ribbonwoodcottage.blogspot.com/2015/10/cottage-style-bedding-for-miniature.html
I’m sending you an email too.
Thank you so much!
Debbie
Thanks so much, your blog post is great, I’m glad my book was helpful.