I've had 2 major emergencies since the cell phone era and both times it was not available. Once while walking my dog in the woods before work, I slipped on ice and broke my ankle in 3 places. It was a very early Sunday morning, 13 degrees, so I was the only one on the trail. And, I had left my phone in the car, so, I had to reset the floppy ankle, hold it in my Ugg boot like a sling, and drag myself to the road. The second time, I was in a remote area in Vermont when my mother died unexpectedly. The police were trying to reach me for 2 days before, by chance, my BF went into town for coffee and saw his phone had blown up. Both emergencies were dealt with eventually, but I realized that using the excuse that I need my phone near me for "emergencies" is a crock. For the most part, I check my emails in the morning and then not again for the rest of the day, and the cell phone is put away for the night before dinner. But I still think more time away from it would be beneficial, so I appreciate this reminder!
Wow--not only for your having to undergo both of these emergencies, but also for the conclusion that the cell-phone access wasn't worth it. It's a good reminder that we -can- pull away without negative consequences.
I loved this post and could relate in several ways. Like you, I put my phone on airplane mode on the trail. During a regular day, I take breaks by going outside (usually to care for the horses and chickens), and during that time I organize my thoughts or simply chill out); I deliberately leave my phone inside, out of earshot for notifications. I also try to read about 20 minutes of a novel every morning before getting on my device. This morning, depressed about the state of the world, I put aside what I was supposed to do and baked muffins instead.
Thanks for reading! I like these breaks you're describing where you step away from the phone. I think I need to institute that sort of break/pause even as I continue to work at my desk. Having a rhythm like this is a way to control the otherwise firehose-like flow of notifications and information. This is why, when I'm actively working on a novel, I'll start the day the way you do your novel-reading--before everything else, in a mode of communication isolation.
Vermont 50k was good! It was 53k instead, which I hadn't expected (course change because of landowner permissions), and I was a tad slower this year than two years ago. But that was honestly not a surprise given my lack of hill- or speed-training (cuz of my knee situation). I was pleased!
I have no excuse, as my kids are grown. I think, though, that there can be--and I want to find it!--a way to even have the phone one but maintain a different attitude towards it. I think a tighter, more rigorous, schedule for me might be one way to preserve a sense of control and, thus, greater calm and presence. I'm feeling lately that the fungibility and flexibility of my work time isn't entirely without drawbacks.
I've had 2 major emergencies since the cell phone era and both times it was not available. Once while walking my dog in the woods before work, I slipped on ice and broke my ankle in 3 places. It was a very early Sunday morning, 13 degrees, so I was the only one on the trail. And, I had left my phone in the car, so, I had to reset the floppy ankle, hold it in my Ugg boot like a sling, and drag myself to the road. The second time, I was in a remote area in Vermont when my mother died unexpectedly. The police were trying to reach me for 2 days before, by chance, my BF went into town for coffee and saw his phone had blown up. Both emergencies were dealt with eventually, but I realized that using the excuse that I need my phone near me for "emergencies" is a crock. For the most part, I check my emails in the morning and then not again for the rest of the day, and the cell phone is put away for the night before dinner. But I still think more time away from it would be beneficial, so I appreciate this reminder!
Wow--not only for your having to undergo both of these emergencies, but also for the conclusion that the cell-phone access wasn't worth it. It's a good reminder that we -can- pull away without negative consequences.
I loved this post and could relate in several ways. Like you, I put my phone on airplane mode on the trail. During a regular day, I take breaks by going outside (usually to care for the horses and chickens), and during that time I organize my thoughts or simply chill out); I deliberately leave my phone inside, out of earshot for notifications. I also try to read about 20 minutes of a novel every morning before getting on my device. This morning, depressed about the state of the world, I put aside what I was supposed to do and baked muffins instead.
How was VT50K?
Thanks for reading! I like these breaks you're describing where you step away from the phone. I think I need to institute that sort of break/pause even as I continue to work at my desk. Having a rhythm like this is a way to control the otherwise firehose-like flow of notifications and information. This is why, when I'm actively working on a novel, I'll start the day the way you do your novel-reading--before everything else, in a mode of communication isolation.
Vermont 50k was good! It was 53k instead, which I hadn't expected (course change because of landowner permissions), and I was a tad slower this year than two years ago. But that was honestly not a surprise given my lack of hill- or speed-training (cuz of my knee situation). I was pleased!
I have no excuse, as my kids are grown. I think, though, that there can be--and I want to find it!--a way to even have the phone one but maintain a different attitude towards it. I think a tighter, more rigorous, schedule for me might be one way to preserve a sense of control and, thus, greater calm and presence. I'm feeling lately that the fungibility and flexibility of my work time isn't entirely without drawbacks.