So I live a pretty stressful existence when I am not chilling in my garden.
I run a hectic web design business + also co-run a quarterly digital magazine + I am planning a wedding, yes I am crazy and I am trying to simplify, but you know, I need to pay the bills and stuff. I often get stuck in my own head, pfft who am I kidding I am ALWAYS stuck in my own head. The only way out is by grabbing my running shoes and hitting the pavement.
I have tried meditation. It’s way harder than it looks. I tried replacing meditation with bonsai, but that’s also way harder than it looks. So running it is.
Normally I kit myself out with my iphone, synced with run keeper and music blaring, but today I decided to hell with it. I need silence. So off I went, I left my phone at home. No music, no activity tracking, just me & the beagle.
So a few things happened.
I felt free.
If you’ve ever done this before then perhaps you’ll get what I mean, how liberating is it to drop the shackles of the phone and just be present.
I took notice.
Without the music blaring in my ears I actually greeted people, I stopped to watch baby ducklings swimming in the brook. I felt like I actually breathed deeper and ran harder. I was completely aware of what was going on.
I discovered new things.
I am a Taurean, a creature of habit. I run the same path every time. Today because I was noticing new things, I wandered off path. I found this awesome little path through the bush, with cute bridges and dense forest. It was beautiful and only meters away from where I normally run. It’s amazing what you find when you open your eyes.
From this experience it has really been a wake up call for me. I knew that I was addicted, but I had never realised how much of life I was actually missing by just simply not being present.
Have you ever disconnected and had a profoundly positive experience?
Such a beautiful post! It feels amazing to touch base with the present moment, I always feel so scatter-brained when I give into the temptation to check my phone too often 🙂 Beautiful blog btw! xxx
Thanks so much Elyse 🙂
I have to constantly remind myself. I still incredibly addicted to my iphone, but I am working on it 😉
I think leaving the phone behind (or in your pocket) is one of the best things you can do for yourself! We have a no electronics during dinner rule, which I love.
We have the same thing Beth, not that it was ever a rule, it’s just rude to pull out the phone at the dinner table.
What a beautiful post Nicki. You’re so right – it’s so easy to become creatures of habit (and distraction). I struggle to run without music but will give it a go.
I’ve had a couple of profound experiences through disconnection – one was a silent meditation retreat for 10 days. I struggled at first but once I relaxed and accepted what came up it was amazing. I’ve also found being on holiday is incredible for getting rid of distraction – I notice all the little things that I’d normally walk straight past at home.