At the beginning of March, I wrote a post about my Four 2015 New Years Resolutions that included reading a new book each month, keeping up a routine exercise regimen, and investing in classic pieces rather than trendy items when it came to my wardrobe. I am managing to stick to these pretty well- but am having trouble with my fourth resolution: embracing solitude. So today, on the first day of April (all jokes aside), I thought I'd discuss my fifth resolution that I am hoping will help me with my fourth.
I've decided that every time I go out to eat or meet up to spend one-on-one time with someone, I'm leaving my phone in the car. I've noticed that even with the best intentions, my phone distracts me and keeps me from really being present. As a blogger, of course I naturally want to instagram my frozen cocktail or pasta dish right before I dig in to it. And then every time a "like" shows up on my phone, it lights up and pulls my attention away from the conversation. It's destroying the quality of my friendships and inhibiting my ability to listen and engage well with others, and I hate it.
“We
live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private:
and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.” ― C.S. Lewis
| I'm hoping this small step will help me begin to build and restore deeper, more authentic relationships and conversations in my life. My family and friends deserve my full attention. And I'm also hoping this step will help me feel more comfortable embracing solitude in my own life. |
so cute!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
www.live-style20.blogspot.com
I always get the logistics out the way first. So I snap a photo. Then put my phone away. Then when I'm away from the dinner table and done with dinner conversation, I post my experience via instagram..#latergram hashtag is the way to go. I believe in being present.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you made this 5th resolution. Many of us need to do the same. I have always felt that one owes his time and attention to the person he is actually with (in person). Otherwise, I feel it is extremely rude and disrespectful to that person to continually pay attention to one's cell/smartphone. Whatever did we do before we had them? I have observed in public places many companions who are much more with whoever they are tweeting, texting, emailing, etc. than the one(s) they are physically with. To me, this is sad and can (as you say) damage relationships or even impede their development in the first place. We don't always have to be plugged in or available to everyone all the time. Sometimes we need to practice being unavailable.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful new resolution that I will try too!
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