Last week, I had a remarkable experience. I spent three days in person with other people, mostly without screens, as part of a coaching workshop.
Because I had made that my only commitment for those days, the #productivity voice in my head was mostly quiet and I was able to just be present. It was a reminder of the expansiveness of time; I slowed down into a more reflective and powerful state, one where I felt I got to know others deeply in a couple days of being in their #presence.
The contrast to this week is sobering. Even though I had intended to hold onto that slow presence, I’m back to my habit of picking up my phone at every free moment, which immediately triggers my nervous system to be anxious about all the things I’m not doing, then mindlessly distracting myself from the anxiety with the endless stream. Even though I spend time with other people on Zoom calls each day, it’s not as nourishing or connecting as spending intentional time with others in the physical world.
I’m writing this to remind myself to spend less time in my head and staring at screens, and more time in my body and with others. And not just a few minutes here and there – it took a full day at the workshop before I actually started to slow down and my nervous system started to relax. Perhaps I should start the practice of a “digital detox” of spending time off screens on a weekly basis.
If nothing else, I want to spend more time with other people in person. Moments of #connection is my intention for 2024, and this experience has reminded me of how powerful those moments can be if I allow myself to slow down for them.
What’s the last time you spent extended time without screens and with other people? What was that like for you?