My cell phone was stolen from my beach bag on the second day of a two-week vacation a few years ago. Once the shock wore off, I was amazed at the inner peace it brought me. It was wonderful. I had nothing to hold, no ringtones or vibrations to distract me from being present with my family, and no stressing about the number in that little red circle attached to messages and emails. Ahhhhhh….. some of you will relate to what life was like in the good old days before cell phones. We seemed to get along just fine, didn’t we? Well, we live in a different age now.
As I break for the summer, I do my best to find a balance between the digital world and the beauty of being unplugged. I make the time to reconnect with nature and loved ones, relax my brain, and take a well-deserved mind, body & soul break.
I spend time getting my monkey brain to calm down. It is always looking for something to focus on and think about! But, I force myself to sit, watch and listen - immersing myself in the beauty around me. Everything in nature seems to happen at the perfect time. Taking out a big blanket and laying it on the grass, having my rescue cat and dog lying next to me, and looking up at the clouds is an incredible grounding experience, but it’s also one of my favourite things. I marvel at the constant energy, sounds and beauty of birds swooping in and out of the trees, watching squirrels frantically running and alerting. I’ll sit under a comfy blanket in our backyard for hours in the early mornings and late nights. I’ll take slow walks, letting my dog smell everything she wants to smell. I will eat beautiful meals that we take time to prepare and cook and play crib with Darren in the evening. That’s how I slow down, mindfully spending time in nature and doing what I love and need to do.
There are already people around me complaining about how quickly summer goes, and it’s only the beginning of July, lol. Let’s be present, enjoy every moment, and cherish the time we have. Social media is a fantastic tool for staying connected, but let’s also remember to take intentional breaks to recharge and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Download my 9 Step Recharge and Balance Worksheet
Darci Lang
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