Get unplugged.

Switching off is something that my brain doesn't seem to have the skills for. It understands the concept, and it sure as hell tries... but it just cannot master the art. My body may be, but my brain is never idle. There are forever creative ideas and dreams floating around or lists and aspirations darting back and forth, I feel as though I am forever plugged in and unable to quieten the noise even if just for a little while.

"Imagine if there was no google..." I said to Nick before closing my eyes one night. "...We'd have to figure life out for ourselves". Hardly the insight of a genius, but an insight nonetheless. Sometimes I think that is just what the world needs, a global rest from the ever-ready and forever over-stimulating world of advanced modern technology. I know that at times, despite my defiance, that is what I need.

For quite some time, switching off and unplugging has been on my to-do list. Incredibly ironic, as this to-do list is one of eight stored on my phone. Perhaps I am procrastinating... Ok, so I am definitely procrastinating. I am so addicted to this high intensity way of  thinking and being that I am dreading the process of not only turning off my thoughts, but turning off my fuel for inspiration.

 But start somewhere I must, and the most logical step to take is not at the beginning, but at the end. The end of the day, when relaxation and a restful mind is needed. This is also the time of day I find myself planning posts, replying to e-mails and reading parenting articles... So a big re-shuffle of time management will need to take place.

For two nights of every week, I pledge to switch off literally and metaphorically for an hour before sleeping.  To practice the art of doing and thinking nothing...pure thoughts of white nothingness. I'm unsure how achievable this really is, but I need to give it a go.

Are there times when you feel drained by your inability to switch off? Or perhaps your lifestyle and deadlines don't allow you that time to have a free mind? Why not take the challenge and get unplugged with me!

Plenty of love, 

Proudly bought to you by...

This post is proudly bought to you by pregnancy insomnia.

You know the feeling? The 'oh-my-gosh-I-am-so-tired-but-I-just-cannot-sleep' type? It has been visiting me a lot lately, especially between 2am and 4am. Tonight's coping mechanism for such insomnia has been the ever so faithful Pinterest and a bag of BBQ chips. The saddest part of it all? I don't even like BBQ chips, but more obviously so it appears that my body doesn't like sleep. I am certain that this is mother natures way of 'preparing' me both physically and mentally for the demands of a newborn for she is so active in these still hours of the morning.

3:30am, it looks like you and I are going to be well acquainted. But that's ok, I like the stillness. There's something about the hours between midnight and sunrise that is strangely relaxing and magical...it's the time I feel most centred, most connected and most creative. Just don't ask me to repeat that sentence before lunchtime the next day.

The two hours I did manage to sneak in some sleep tonight, I was stuck in a frustrating dream of sending and replying to e-mails. My fingers wouldn't type fast enough on my iPhone and my eyes couldn't focus on the words I was trying to send, I was stuck in a slow-motion whirl of technology and impatience. If that isn't a sign that a switch-off is needed, then I don't know what is!

Maybe that is the answer to channeling this 4am sense of calm and collectedness at all times of the day; to switch off the white noise, remove the notifications and timelines and just be; at least for a small part of the day.

Do you have regular switch-off times? Times when you just turn everything off so you are able to tune in?

Tomorrow if I am even slightly functional, I am going to schedule in some 'switch off' time in my life. Ironically, I will probably use my beloved modern technology to create a plan, but a plan there will be indeed!

Plenty of love, 

Social Network Slave

I use Facebook, a lot. I use my iPhone, a lot. My phone is quite literally permanently attached to me. Every two hours I check my Facebook news feed, my notifications, my closest friends status updates, my twitter timeline, my twitter mentions, the Instagram feed and my e-mail. Oh... and send texts and reply to texts. Every two hours might be a little modest actually, it is closer to every hour!

Lately, with exhaustion still lingering in the corners and the attempt of a new routine, keeping up with these hourly checks are becoming more and more draining. It has become a daily chore. I have become a slave to these social networks! King Facebook and Queen Twitter stand over me with a sceptor..."You shalt check thou news feed. Now!" Perhaps thats exaggerated, but are you getting the idea?

Last night I decided I would admit myself to SNAA (Social Networking Addictions Annonymous). I pressed that little black button on the top of my phone, I held it down and turned it OFF! So far it has been 24 hours and I feel clearer already. I'm not going to give it up forever; that would require payed therapy. But i'm hoping a 3 day breather will break the reliance and addiction. It's been great already. Stella has spent the day staring at me with confusion "Something is not right here, my mum doesn't have that black rectangle in front of her face". With a head not clogged up with newsfeeds I actually noticed things I sometimes miss...funny little faces Stella makes, new skills she has learnt. I realised today that if I don't scale down bigtime I will remember nothing of her childhood but gossip and mutual friends of friends.

As sad as it is, I did have to update my status this morning explaining my switch off. I cringed at the thought of "She hasn't updated her status in 2 days, she must be DEAD!", "She hasn't replied to any of my text messages, she must HATE me!". That is how far social networking is effecting our relationships. Of course, it does have its benefits- all my grandparents are on facebook and that is how we catch up, people use facebook to organise fundraisers, events, birthdays. But as with all things in life, enjoy in moderation.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how the next few days pan out without my misleadingly necessary accessory. I am going to 'bunker down' so to speak, and really soak up those minutes with Stella on my own. One on one. Minutes I will never get back once they have passed by.

I wonder if anyone else has tried to break up with their social networks? How did they take it? Did you move on? Please share your stories!