Life is busy and chaotic at times. I cannot get everything done on my “to-do” list at times. That is annoying to me. I should be able to get all the things done–right? Do you feel this way? Are you overwhelmed? Last week was a bad week, and when I say bad I mean that it was full of stress–papers to grade, emails to respond to–things to do with the Press, with my small business–I needed to clean, I needed to do laundry–the list goes on…
All I wanted to do was nap. I was starting to let all the small things pile up. Not good. I was starting to get stressed out over all the things that needed to be done–not good. I needed to relax and I needed to just unplug.
Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you wish you didn’t have a cell phone, or computer, or email, or any technology at all. I admit, I have a strong dependency on the iPhone. It is the only phone (no landline), and sometimes the only way that anyone can get in touch with me. I have email that comes through from three different email accounts (all with a different “tone” to alert me when I have a new message), and last week I wanted to shut it all down.
Don’t even get me started on social media.
So, this past weekend we loaded up and spent some time at the family farm—where there’s no cell phone reception, but a landline at the main house. We disconnected and it felt good. I was nervous about unplugging (no lie)…”will students be mad?” “I’m going to have so much to grade.” “What if the kids need me and forget that the cell phone doesn’t work?” And the questions/thoughts went on—for about an hour I went through this whole back and forth of what am I going to do.
And then like a light bulb it hit me—r e la x.
I took a breezy drive on the golf cart around the property. Peaches were hanging from trees, blackberries were nearly ripe and ready, the pond and flowers were calming. The scenery was only something that God himself could have created–clear blue skies, rolling hills—it was almost like I was looking at a postcard.
I read. A book. I didn’t rely on a screen, a phone, or any technology, but I had a book that I could turn the pages and hold in my hands—no swiping on a screen with this one.
I stayed in a camper for the first time (I know, welcome to the world, right?). It was nice, calming, and comforting.
And the whole time my best friend was with me.
I know this was a much needed moment to unplug. I know that this farm is an escape for Sam as well, and he loved it as much (if not more) than I did.
We unplugged, and we survived.
And while I realized I cannot always get all the things done, grade X amount of papers in one day/night without taking a break, complete the to-do list and be satisfied, I know that I can listen to the ones I love, relax with them and watch a movie, enjoy the surroundings and just be calm. It is hard for me to do at times, but when I do it–it is the perfect “recharge” from a long week or stressful time.
I think we all could take some time to unplug and relax. I hope you find time to do that in your lives too.
The perfect sky for the perfect mini-get away this weekend. Unplugging is vital to our lives–we just have to remember to take the time to do it.