Why I'm Unplugging for Thanksgiving

Can you believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner? Minneapolis is covered with a fresh blanket of snow, the Christmas tree lots are busy, and I have started buying gifts for loved ones. The holidays are coming whether we like it or not.

For me, that means spending a lot of time with my family and Alex's family, eating so much amazing food, and getting adequate rest (hooray!).

However, it also means being oversaturated with Facebook posts, Instagram photos, and Snapchat stories. It seems everyone wants/needs to post something about how they love their family, how lucky they are with their significant other, and so on during the holiday season. I get it, I do it too. It's nice to show a little gratitude via social platforms.

However, there comes a point where I wonder if posting about gratitude on social media is actually authentic?

I know when I post a picture of myself and my boyfriend, I'm a little picky with the photo. We usually end up taking many, many photos. Then I select one, edit it meticulously, and finally post it with some cheesy caption about how he's the best. 

Sound familiar? 

This process is normal, I promise. 

I have created a challenge for myself for the holiday season and you're welcome to come along with me! The jist:

• spend less time mindlessly scrolling through social channels on my phone
• post photos that are organic instead of creating a forced photo
• write captions that are authentic and come from the heart
• spend most of the holidays with my phone off

Why I want to (semi) unplug for the holidays:

I want to be able to open my eyes in the morning, look out the window, and enjoy the snowy morning ahead of me. I want to reach over, wrap my arms around Alex, and say "good morning." I want to take that first sip of coffee and completely enjoy it. 

On Thanksgiving day I want to see my family (who I only see a few times a year) and engage in actual, real conversations. I want to help prepare a beautiful Thanksgiving feast. I want to smell the turkey as it's cooking, taste every dish on the table, and feel how my belly is full and satisfied after eating. I want to feel content.

I could go on and on about all of the senses and emotions I want to feel, but you get the picture. Without a phone attached to my hand, I can be 100% engaged in the task at hand. 

Do you ever eat dinner while watching TV and scrolling through your phone? I do. I notice that the more distractions I have while eating, the less I actually taste the food. And food is amazing! Why would I want to do that?

The more distractions you have, the less you can actually be present for what's happening in the current moment (and don't get me started on cell phones in the yoga studio during class!). 

What to do when you feel restless and want to reach for your phone:

1. Take a deep breath. Take it from a yogi: breathing can help you in most situations. If you find yourself reaching for your phone or perhaps you're already scrolling, stop, and take a breath. Close your eyes and inhale. Exhale.
    
2. Move around. Get up off the couch and find something else to do with your time. Clean the house, cook something, make some tea. Call up your grandma or finish a project.
    
3. Eat and drink. Do I really have to encourage this during the holidays? Obviously, you don't want to use eating as a way to keep you off your phone, but grabbing a cup of coffee to sip on might help you stay away from mindless scrolling.
    
4. Make plans to meet a friend. Engage in conversation and leave your phone in your purse.
    
5. Go outside (yes, even here in Minnesota). Get a little fresh air, enjoy nature, and do something outside. Go for a walk or build a snowman.
    
6. Meditate and practice yoga. I've heard it's good for you ;)
    
7. Sleep. Seriously, get some rest.

So there you have it: I plan to unplug (for the most part) during the holiday season, spend as much time away from technology as possible, and only post when I have something authentic and meaningful to say. Instead, I want to enjoy time with loved ones, make some yummy food, and practice yoga often!

Do you have plans to unplug for Thanksgiving? Any tips to share? Comment below!

Love + Light