I’ve been taking more social media breaks lately, which has been so good for my mental health. I’ll log off of Instagram or Facebook for a few days (or both) and not stress about keeping up with what’s happening online. It feels absolutely freeing to only think about life offline for a bit!
I also just finished Fiona Ferris’ latest book, 100 Ways to Live a Soft, Calm Life. Much of her advice involves getting offline and immersing your senses in the real world. I thought about that as I was picking raspberries at my mom’s house this morning–how (especially for kids/teens) that often seems like the exception rather than the rule these days, to be fully present in the physical world and undistracted by even the thought of your phone or device.
On that note, here are my thoughts on how to slow down and live offline in small, achievable ways. It can be hard to motivate yourself with BIG plans sometimes, I get it, because starting is the hardest part. So these are some petite ideas 🙂
How to Slow Down and Live Offline
- Bake something from scratch, from a recipe in a cookbook. The Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook is excellent for beginner bakers.
- Do 5 minutes of yoga. My favorite YouTube channels are Kendra Tolbert and Lemon Yoga. (So I’m technically online for a hot second, I guess :P)
- Make a quick journal entry. Some of my favorite quick journal prompts are the day’s highs and lows, a worry list, gratitude list or goals list.
- Do a quick closet declutter. Photograph the items if they’re to be sold or given away.
- Declutter a bathroom, wipe down the shelves and rearrange what’s left.
- Take an “everything shower” and follow with body lotion.
- Unclench your jaw. Give yourself a short jaw massage.
- Walk around a block or two, leaving your phone at home.
- Do a few pages of a puzzle book. I’ve been enjoying The Mindfulness Puzzle Book this year.
- Light a candle and sit down to read with a real, physical book.
- Open the windows, if the weather allows. Fresh air does wonders for mental health. We try to crack our windows every morning in the warm seasons, even if it will be hot later in the day.
- Log out of social media for a planned period of time. Whether it’s a day or a week, take away the possibility of checking and let your mind focus on what’s in front of you.
- Take longer than usual to make yourself a delicious, healthy lunch. I find it’s too easy to grab whatever for lunch when the kids are around, but I’m much happier/avoid the afternoon energy slump when I make a wholesome meal, like eggs with vegetables.
- Write a letter to a friend.
- Pick up a handicraft and make 5 minutes of progress.
- Make yourself a soothing drink. My favorites are herbal tea or Natural Calm magnesium.
- Change into comfortable pants.
- Cuddle a pet. (Cuddle your cat for me, if you would… I’m a crazy cat lady at heart, but Eric is allergic so we’ll never have one </3)
- Pick a small cleaning task that’s been bothering you and do it. Wiping down a few baseboards, decluttering a drawer, etc.
- If at night, all you have the energy to do is scroll on your phone, turn off the light and go to bed early.
I hope your long weekend (for Americans) was fun and relaxing! How do you like to slow down and live offline?
xx Claire
