This is the summer that we are taking our time back. I think we can all collectively agree that we are a bit burnt out with the constant news cycle, scrolling our phones, and feeling like we are rushing through our to-do lists. My goal for this summer is to go analog as much as possible. Here are a few ways I am doing it:
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Daily play time - sometimes this is a walk around the neighborhood with my husband or swimming with my girls or a highly competitive game of Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza.
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Easy meals outside -Easy throw-together meals with a mess that the birds and squirrels can clean up.
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Turn off Notifications - I turned off all app notifications off on my phone. I do this every summer when we can unplug from all the school, sports, extracurricular notifications. I'll turn them back on when school starts, but it sure does feel like freedom right now.
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Inaccessible 1 day of the week - In addition, I am the queen of FOCUS times on my phone that eliminates all texts from people who are not in my inner circle. For example, I do not really look at my phone much at all on Sundays. I love being inaccessible 1 day of the week.
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A new hobby - I am giving painting a try. Trust me when I say that I am terrible at it, but I am enjoying it so much.
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30 minutes of reading time before bed - I implemented this back in the fall and now I look forward to this quiet time at the end of every day.
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Daily walks - this one is so hard because it gets ridiculously hot during our Texas summers and I do not tolerate that heat well. And I value my sleep too much to get up at 5:30 am to beat the heat. So I have invested in a walking pad and will listen to my audiobook or read a book while I get my steps in.
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Twice a week News checks in - I am checking in on the news cycle only twice a week. Please note, I am still putting my energy into important matters offline - but as far as constant news cycle, I am firmly unsubscribing.
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Lazy come-as-you-are hangouts -Maybe we swim, maybe we grill, maybe we order pizza. Impromtu get-togethers where nobody cares if your house is clean or expects to be entertained.
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Lots of puttering around in the garden - This year I am growing tomatoes, all different types of peppers, carrots, so much basil, potatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, parsley, lettuce, oregano, green onions, cilantro, rosemary, swiss chard, and a bunch of other randomness. Being out there and watching everything come to life is an instant calm to me.
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Daily embroidery time - you would think this would be a given considering that I own a hand embroidery kit, but you would be surprised by how much of my time is actually spent on running the business instead of stitching. So I am carving out 15-30 minutes of stitching time each day right after lunch. I swear it is an instant mood reset.
Ready to get started on the hand embroidery part of your analog summer? Here are some of my current favorites:
