Written by Heather Beier, Muddy Waters Yoga Studio, Featured in August, 2018 e-newsletter
connection
/con·nec·tion/
(n.) the action of linking one thing with another
This last month I was able to get away with a few dear friends for some sweet downtime and connection. As we were sitting around the table at the end of the day, we were talking about how much time is being lost in our phones. It’s no doubt that many of you are shaking your heads. Our phones, which are meant to connect us to people have created a sense of disconnect.
I started to think about some of the ways that I have put my phone before connection, and it honestly made me want to throw up. I’ve been one of those people out on a date checking my phone to see if I got one new email. I’ve taken my phone to bed with me on a number of occasions. I even have had my daughter tell me, “Mama, can you put your phone away?” (That one makes my heart hurt, but it’s the truth). And I could probably name quite a few more instances… but those will do.
As we were talking, one of my friends says, “There’s an app for that! (of course there is…). I proceeded to download the app that told me how many hours a day I am on my phone. It made me want to throw up even more! What a time suck.
Yoga teaches us presence. This moment is all we have, and we’re missing it by coming out of the moment every time the phone “dings.”
Just because it rings, doesn’t mean we need to answer it in that exact moment.
My mantra this month: I am disconnecting and feeling more connected than ever.
Want to do this with me?
Here are some things I’m trying… taking social media off my home screen, turning off notifications for everything, checking my email only 2 times a day, and putting the phone away once I get home for the evening.
Any other tips?!? Send them our way!
If you’re up for it, here’s my challenge to you:
1. Download the Moment app.
2. Start to become aware of how much time you spend on your phone.
3. Find ways to disconnect so that you can connect to what truly matters; this present moment.
Let’s invite connection and presence back in by disconnecting from the things that take us out of the moment. Go for a walk and hold hands, watch a movie without the phone, read a book in bed instead of scrolling.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Share how you’re going to disconnect over in the comments on the blog.
