Wow, I am so glad I took a day and disconnected from pretty much everything. I don’t know the last time it was that I had a full day without looking at my phone. I didn’t even turn my phone on today, so I had no idea what time it was or if anybody was in touch with me via text or email. I couldn’t take any photos, which turned out to be much more challenging than I had anticipated. I saw how much I wanted to record what was happening in my day, be it through taking photos, recording my steps or keeping my streak going on Wordle or Duolingo. The urge did lessen a bit as the day went on, but it was always there in the background. It was strange not reading when I was eating or right before bed. I did let myself write in my journal if I felt that there were any thoughts or ideas that I wanted to remember, and quite a few different things came up. I did really enjoy not knowing what time it was, and it did not matter at all, because I didn’t have to go anywhere or do anything at a specific time. I noticed a lot more of what was going on in front of me because I wasn’t looking at my phone or reading a book. It was a lot easier to relax and meditate because I didn’t have a list of things I needed or wanted or thought I should do during the day. In the afternoon I took a leisurely walk through the dunes to the beach and let myself just sit and enjoy the sound of the waves, watching the birds and the few other people on the beach. The day seemed to move at more leisurely pace, and I wasn’t as bored as I thought I might become, though I wonder what it would be like if I hadn’t let myself journal. The next time I take a full day’s break from the world, which I plan to do again within the next month, I will do it without journaling.
When I woke up Friday morning, I was hesitant to even turn my phone back on again. It has been very cleansing to take a total technology sabbatical. As usual, not much happened while I was away, I just ended up deleting a whole bunch of emails. I did enjoy being able to read my book again, currently I am reading Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. I’m not very far into it, but it is a very intense read. I enjoyed one more play at the beach before slowly starting back home, with a quick stop at Spud Point Crab Company to pick up some more clam chowder and a crab sandwich for dinner tonight with Mom. On the way home I stopped at Millerton Point, part of Tomales Bay State Park, and had lunch at a very peaceful beach. It was so quiet and calm there, it’s a new spot for me, and I will definitely come back again.