Limiting distractions for more presence

I've been reflecting on a few things this month: How I wish to live with more depth? What is my truth? And actually, how present am I in my own life?
 
With so many distractions to knock us off course, I value having a regular practice of setting my intentions each month. It really does help to keep me on track.
 
We have been living in a 24 hour, 7 days a week society for many years now. Our nervous systems are jangled and most people are living in a constant stress response of either fight, flight, freeze or fawn. It's time to slow down and be more present now (not tomorrow). It's time to use the tools and practices that work for you.
 
I see memes and reels on social media nostalgic for childhood days of the eighties. Before the internet, the pace was slower, as kids we played out all day, my parents didn't seem to worry, but then they weren’t blasted by so much media driven fear. Life seemed easier, slower and more relaxed.
 
In my home we wouldn't interrupt our sit down evening meal at the table because the phone rang, it would be left, answered when it was convenient to us. Our family time was precious. We weren't on call or accessible 24 hours a day and you certainly wouldn’t call someone after 9pm.
 
These days, for large parts of my day I choose to have my phone switched to silent, I decide when I check it. It’s one way I support myself to be more present.
 
When I’m in company that is constantly distracted by their phone pinging non-stop, it feels very frustrating, especially when I’m mid-sentence and their attention trails off....maybe I'm just not as interesting!?! :) We also jump on our phones to look something up during a conversation, no longer using our memory function, then get lost in all the notifications. When did this become ‘normal’? How present are we in our own lives?

Our time is one of the greatest gifts we have to offer, along with our presence.
 
I invite you to reflect on consciously creating space, slowing down and ways to  become less distracted (only if this is an issue for you of course). Give yourself some juice and top up your reserves. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

◉Get out in nature, whatever the weather, be with the elements!

◉Choose not to engage so much with social media. If you're finding it a drain on your time, limit yourself. Reels are teaching us to have shorter attention spans.

◉Unsubscribe from emails that don't hold energy for you anymore. Clear the clutter and noise.

◉Spend time with people who make you feel uplifted, seen and give you their presence. Give yours in return.

◉Create a (realistic) daily to do list that helps you to focus and generates a sense of achievement as you tick things off.

◉Plan in some S-P-A-C-E on your calendar.

◉Journal/reflect on ways you can be more present in your life. What can you do to feel nurtured and recharged?
 
May you have a beautiful month.
With love and blessings,