I’ve decided to go screen-free (ish) for the entire month of September. I am by no means the first one to do a digital detox like this. I’ve been inspired by numerous bloggers and content creators, such as Cait Flanders and Craig Benzine.
Why am I doing this? Because I’m scared of being alone in my own mind. I think it stems from having anxious thoughts and getting caught up in them. I’m one of those people that almost always doing something, and usually, when I’m not working on a project, I’m watching TV/youtube, on social media or randomly browsing the internet. I often use the internet as a distraction when I’m “bored”, relaxing or falling asleep. Why? Because during these quiet periods are the times when my thoughts are more easily heard. And, I’m scared of them. But I’m working on it. That’s what this challenge is for.
I’ve been saying for years (yes, years) that I want to stop using my phone/computer before and while I fall asleep. But I haven’t. I would do it for a day or two, but never follow through. I was too scared, it seemed too hard, I came up with excuses. And I never stuck with it. But after reading Cait Flanders book The Year of Less I felt inspired to go without my normal “vices” for a month. During her year of less (a shopping ban), she used her blog as an accountability partner, inspiring me to do the same. Without all that screen time, I should have enough time to blog, right?
Since Scribe’s Canvas is my accountability partner, the rules need to be stated.
The YES’s
- Texts, calls, emails
- Blogging/writing (only allowed to post, nothing else)
- Podcasts/audiobooks
- Maps, running apps, health-related things
- Work
- Watching TV/movies with others
The NO’s
- Social media
- Youtube, Netflix
- Games
- News Outlets
- Shopping
- Mindlessly Browsing
- Goodreads (I downloaded a copy of my To-Read list in advance)
I started yesterday, it being the first of the month and all. I wanted to share a short reflection on how the day went.
Day 1 Reflection:
Amount of screen time: 0 minutes
Books Behind in Reading Challenge: 5
I’m realizing just how many times a day I pick up my phone to aimlessly check social media and watch YouTube. Since it’s a Sunday, and I don’t have work, I’ve realized how much of my weekend is spent watching TV and videos. I’m actually a bit alarmed by it. It’s been eye-opening and it’s only day one. I’m behind on my reading challenge for the year (by about 5 books) so maybe I can catch up during this month. At the moment, the month of September seems really long, we grow by pushing past our comfort zones. That definitely feels true today.
My Experience with Fear
This next part is related to the screen-free challenge (I originally had put this part first, but then changed my mind). Back in July, I wrote a post about how I started this blog because at the time (back in 2015) the only thing stopping me from sharing my writing with the world was fear.
That being said, I didn’t really focus on facing my other fears. This year has been different. I’m not normally someone who sticks with resolutions, nor do I think that the only time to set those intentions is at the beginning of the year. However, this year I did set a resolution, well more of an intention. I’ve fought against fear’s control over my life for most of my life. And this year I knew that I was done letting it have control. I had spent the last year working diligently on my mental health, and I had come to learn just how much of my life was dictated by fear. It almost didn’t matter how big or small the individual fears were, but they all had a similar grip on my actions or lack thereof.
The moment I knew I was done being subservient to fear was in mid-December of last year (2018). I decided to shave my head. This is a bit of a longer story and a crazy experience, so I’ll probably write about shaving my head in another post. Let me know in the comments if you’d like to see a post about that.
From that initial decision, I decided that I would make it my goal to actually, truly, face my fears and make it a central point of my daily life. I chose the word “fearless” to symbolize my year and got started by getting rid of all my hair.
This screen-free challenge is another way I’m working through my fears. I’ve decided to write about it on Scribe’s Canvas to have an accountability partner, as well as a way to get back into writing regularly. I’ve been telling myself for months now that I “don’t’ have time or energy to write”, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I do have the time and energy but it’s been drained away by spending needless time on the internet. So far, that’s been proven to be true. I’m curious to see if that changes at all as we move into the workweek.
Before I go I’ll leave you, and myself, with a reminder:
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald Walsch
Until next time,
-Acire
I wish you mountains of success in this endeavor you have begun. Blessings!
Thank you!
Interesting: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald Walsch
You might like: “It’s a strange and crazy world and it feels so dramatic, but right along the edge is where you’ll find all the magic.”
-Take You Home (Song by Onyay Pheori)
[Lyrics, if you are interested, begin softly:]
“It’s been a long road through all kinds of stormy weather
The kind you don’t know how you’ll last another day
Black and blue, bruised, and sore.
You fought the good fight
Couldn’t ask for more.”
“Hanging on by tiny little threads
Feels like the landslide never ends”
[the tempo quickens as the focus changes]
“You can see through the darkness
Cause I’ll bring the sun.
You can fall all the way,
Cause you’ve already won.
Come with me I’ll take you home.”
I love this, thank you!