Friday 14 June 2019

Have a Digital Disconnect


Our lives have become consumed with digital technology, whether it’s using our smart phones, tablets or laptops, it seems to be a daily occurrence for most people, and whilst there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with this, I believe there’s a balance to be had between staying connected and knowing when to disconnect.

I, like most, enjoy interacting with my friends on Whatsap. I also like instagram and will ‘check in’ most days (quite a few times) often for no particular reason, mainly because it’s quite addictive scrolling through the home page.  (When I was more active on Facebook, I have also been guilty of scrolling through endless pictures of people I haven’t even met, oops)!

Although I do interact digitally most days, I also make a conscious effort to have time away from my phone. When I’m with my son I try and keep wifi and data off and sometimes keep the phone in a different room to avoid distractions from the outside world. The same is true when I have dinner with friends and family or when I’m watching a film. The main reason for doing this is that it keeps me in the present moment.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read articles or heard on the radio the benefits to having time away from social media. Indeed it’s good for our mental health. Stepping in to nature is a wonderful example of how to be present and the experience is all the more valuable when we’re not live streaming it online.

So, next time you feel you’re investing too much energy in your smart devices, try having a no smart device day, or even just a morning or an hour! Having a digital detox is so refreshing and it can reset your mind and will often leave you feeling happier. What are you waiting for?

Monday 4 February 2019

Forget what everyone else is doing: Focus on you!


Too often in life, we can find ourselves observing other people and conclude that what they are doing is in some way better than what we are doing.

This is something that can occur anywhere and at any time. Perhaps you find yourself comparing your grades to your peers, or comparing a sporting achievement with someone else. Maybe you look at what your friend is wearing and feel green with envy or wish you could earn as much money as your co-worker. This type of comparison can leave us feeling negative and deflated and may even lead us to question our own lives.

A good place of example which can leave us feeling inferior, is social media. People often paint an image of a perfect life, sharing beautiful pictures of themselves, their friends and amazing places they’ve visited (me included).  But this isn’t their whole reality! The truth is, sometimes we have moments and indeed whole days where nothing seems to go right and we’re left feeling miserable. These are the things that we aren’t so quick to share online.

Ultimately, It is irrelevant what anyone else is doing in life. It’s up to you to create your own narrative and not waste time comparing.

So remember, the only person you can compare yourself to in life is you!