my tools and plan for logging out, looking inward, and slowing down

Back in August, when I returned to Instagram and the blog, I made a conscious decision to take off 4 weekly breaks a year from social media. I know the benefits of just one day off my phone so implementing a week-long hiatus from the grid four times a year seems like a very good idea. I’ve heard people talk about how helpful it can be to reset your mind, creativity, and outlook on life. When I looked at the calendar and planned out the four yearly breaks, the first one landed on November 22-28 coinciding nicely with the Thanksgiving holiday.

I know how much of a hold these apps have on us so I thought I would tell you how I’m planning this week, guidelines for myself, and tools for the week. Of course, this is an experiment and we won’t know how it all turns out until after, but I’m really hopeful and excited for the experience, even the tough stuff.

Guidelines for the Week:

I will be logging off Social Media (including Pinterest, Youtube, etc.) from Tuesday, November 22 to Monday the 28th. I will have to log onto IG every day in the AM/PM for work but plan to only enter that account and actually remove my personal accounts from the app. I’m going to place the app inside a folder on my phone as well to make the process a little bit harder so I have the space to realize the habit of going into the app mindlessly.

I will also not be posting blogs this week. Fully taking a break from being online.

Tools:

I want to not only take the opportunity to give my mind a break from consuming content all…the…time but also to listen to my thoughts. A huge part of my growth and becoming the person I want to be is understanding myself better. Listening to my fears, triggers, and internal dialogue without running from them or escaping through social media.

• Meditate every morning and afternoon, at least 10 minutes. 

• Journal every morning for at least 5 minutes

• Track my triggers and thoughts that come up especially around the impulse to reach for my phone

• Do the @tobemagnetic Daily Journal prompts at night (It’s a quick inventory of the day's tests, triggers, manifestations, expanders and pings) 

• I plan to have a great book or two to read. I have a few I'm really excited to read.

• I’ve been compiling a list of things I’ve been dying to get done like photo albums and Jackson's Baby Book (ha! He’s 2) for when I need an activity to do but not pushing myself to accomplish too much.

• Write! I’ve been brainstorming new blog ideas, let me know if you have any.

• Be ok with being bored! I think this is a HUGE one. We as a society are no longer bored because we think every minute of every day has to be productive. 

I really want to dive a little deeper into that last point I made about being ok with being bored. I’ve noticed the last 2 years of my life since becoming a mom, my mental capacity for relaxing has shrunk. Whenever I get a second to sit down my mind goes through a mental checklist of the things I “have to” or “should” do. Then I jump up to do them because my sense of time scarcity is stronger than ever. I need to find a balance of being ok with not producing all the time. Being ok with a never-ending to-do list and knowing that just being is enough. 

I know this one week off of socials isn't a cure-all, but it’s a start. It’s a line in the sand saying I want to be more present, consume less, and slow down. I believe with every fiber of my being that small sustainable shifts are how you change your life. It’s not just the actual change of behavior but keeping your promises, consistently showing up for yourself and doing what you say you’ll do.

jodi xx