The Quiet I Forgot Was There

 

I am a week into my 30 day phone detox and thought I'd share what I have learned so far. Like jumping into a lake from a high place, there's a moment where you doubt whether you want to do this. Taking the news apps off my phone, oddly, had that feeling. It caused me to pause and to wonder whether I really could, should, wanted to take these steps. But I did. I took the leap and so far, it is a relief.

Now, in a moment of feeling stuck in my work, or when I don't feel like doing something, or those moments of in-between, rather than pick up the phone to see the latest iteration of what some politician or judge said or did, I have space. There is quiet. The moment is open. Life is simpler, gentler.

Another small shift aligns with mindful communication. I noticed the desire to text Mike about something I found in the house -- to compare notes with him. It was the morning. He was at work and I thought to myself, do I need to text him, or can it wait until he gets home? Texting makes chit chat available all day. Before texting and email, we didn't reach out every time we had a thought, observation, minor question. We waited until there was more. I decided to wait and enjoyed having a bunch of things to talk about in the evening. It really wasn't urgent. At all. Texting makes everything seem urgent which sends its own message to our nervous system to be on the lookout. We don't need to inflict suffering in this way! 

I feel like I am going back to a more natural way of life -- the way it was before we were constantly bombarded with messages -- literal messages, advertisements, emails, news, social statuses, dings, beeps and flashes of light on sleek rectangular boxes by our sides incessantly calling our attention. I don't want to make the time before them too rosy, but now I do appreciate those moments of being bored on the subway and looking at people's faces and imagining their stories, or seeing the station platforms pass by on an express train and catching glimpses of random city scenes. Art was everywhere just in having my eyes open and observing life all around. What this work awakens in me is a return to real life. 

It's definitely an undoing and some aspects of this habit breaking will be easier than others, but so far, I am liking the fruit it bears. I'll keep you posted on my progress. I welcome you to join me if you want to feel like part of a team doing this detox together in August, but even if you don't, my invitation this week is to see if you can hold back on sending a text or two if it can wait. Add a little less chatter. Let there be more space for you and for those around you and see what it brings you instead.

Wishing you a bright summer week and a Happy 4th of July.

Warmly,
Jean

P.S. If you missed the email about the phone detox, you can learn more here.

P.P.S. A reminder, there is no meditation at the studio on Saturday, July 4th.