SIMPLE. My word for 2014.
Remember how our days felt longer when we were younger?
The days were filled with all kind of things but they felt simple and easy. Then as the world advanced the days started to get more busy, more complicated and exhausting. The days started to blend together. Days turned into weeks, months and years. For many of us our schedules has gotten so busy we even have to schedule in seeing friends.
Everyone I talk to say the same thing. Where does the time go? It’s not like we’re lazy and not doing anything. We are. Constantly.
I don’t know about you but I miss that simple life. When life didn’t have that element of feeling constantly stretched thin. I think a big part of why we now feel like this is because of something called smartphone, social media and endless amount of emails.
I only used to be on the computer during work, hardly ever in the evenings and never on the weekends. Back then I did not have a smartphone. There was no Facebook, Twitter or other social media in my life. I still used a land-line in addition to my flip cellphone. I hardly ever sent a text and email was still new enough it didn’t jam up your inbox.
Now is different, my life revolves around my smartphone and social media. I suddenly have hundreds and hundreds of daily emails all needing attention, notifications to check, status updates to make, tweets to create and it’s expected to respond quickly and to respond 24/7, not the next hour or next day, but right there and then.
So in order to gain some balance towards simple I’m making some changes. I’m going to start scheduling in quiet time and social media time. I’m going to once again have computer free days. I do those things but not often enough and not frequently enough. I’m going to train work not to expect an email response in seconds but it’s okay to wait an hour. And, I’m going to get better at scheduling my time, edit things out and create boundaries.
I don’t know if doing those simple changes is the answer to slowing down my days and once again remember what day it is, but I do know that being more intentional with my time and creating a better balance can’t be a bad thing. I hope you join me.
How do you try to keep your life balanced? How do you stay intentional about your time? Did you pick a word for 2014?
Great post I need to do some of those things too! Thinking about iPhone free days, that will be a challenge for me 😉 I need to plan my time more carefully, I haven’t figured it all out yet, but some changes are happening. No I haven’t picked a word yet, but maybe that’s a good idea to do 🙂
😉 iphone free day Madeleine a little panicked and breathless!! Ok I better start thinking on my word too !!
Thanks! I know, it’s hard to think of life without our iPhone’s now but I think it’s about finding that balance. I used to go for a hike and/or read first thing in the morning. Now, straight to my iPhone and computer. Balance. I almost picked that as my word. Something I think we all can find need for in our lives.
I even give it a check at 3am if I wake for the loo!! NO ONE could possibly have anything to say at 3am of life changing importance- it’s actually a real trap, I agree boundaries and I love your 2014 word
Isn’t it funny if you forget your phone you will turn the car right round & go get it!! I forgot to return the rental DVDs & was only at the corner by my home & thought “oh well, tomorrow!”
I know! It’s total panic when I forget the phone at home. Not so much if I’m just going to the store but if I will be gone all day…yep, I’m turning around for sure. Sad, really.