Not so Smart Phone

After going back through The Shallows by Nicholas Carr I have decided to dumb down my smart phone by removing most of the social networking apps - most significantly: Facebook.

I am mostly alright with my cyborg identity. When you use a tool (whether it is a hammer or the Internet) your brain starts to view it as an extension of your body. So, my computer, and the Internet, are part of me. But I do have concerns about losing my capacity for quiet contemplation. I'm a storyteller - that's how I come up with stories!

I am trying to meditate more, read more, spend more time outside - all things that exercise the quiet parts of my mind. But I ultimately decided I did not have the willpower to keep Facebook on my phone. When it is there, I check it. I think to myself, "I'll just see if I have any notifications...I'll just read the most recent post...I'll just read one more post..." and so on. I've known this is a minor addiction for a while and have had some success with less obsessive checking by not keeping my phone on me, but I frequently backslide. Carr reminded me that I need to take more effective action and short if getting rid of the smart phone entirely, this seemed like the way to go.

I kept Instagram because I don't use it much and it is handy to be able to share photos immediately. And I kept HootSuite so I can still update Twitter and Facebook from my phone. I know there is also a way to check both streams through HootSuite, but I'm not in the habit of using it, so it poses less temptation.

There are times I miss having a ready distraction on my phone, but I'm purposefully filling those times with reading (print books!) or sitting quietly. I try to embrace the stillness of these moments instead of feeling bored.

After all, I don't need to look for distractions, I have kids!

Almost 30

I've noticed a trend among bloggers who happen to be around my age of coming up with a "30 before 30" list. 30 things they want to accomplish before turning 30.

Since getting into the Zen Habits blog I've been avoiding goals, so that's out for me. I could come up with 30 habits I want to form in the next year (with the help of 52 Changes). And, maybe I will work on forming more healthy habits, but resolving to do so is also kind of like making it a goal...

One thing I have realized recently, though, is that there is one overarching habit I can work on that really uplifts all areas of my life: being happy in the moment.

The problem with goals (for me and for many people) is that I can feel bogged down about getting started, depressed about not having done enough to reach the goal, and tantalized by the promise of the goal not yet achieved.

But every moment is an opportunity for practicing the habit of being happy in the moment. It isn't hard to get started. It is one little thing I can always do right now. If I feel like I haven't been doing it enough - no need to feel depressed, just work on it right now. And there isn't some future reward I'm not yet enjoying. I can always enjoy being happy right now.

As someone said to me the day before my birthday, "You're actually turning 29? Like for the first time?"

People want to be this age over and over again. I should enjoy it while it lasts and then embrace 30 with a positive attitude!

Family picture taken by my sister-in-law during our recent trip to Philadelphia. What's not to love?