Hello all you Beauties!

Have you ever felt like you just want to Unplug?  Sometimes in life you just need to do just that and get back to you, get back to what it means to be a human being.  So much of our world is busy and constant, with no real separation between work and play, our constant attachment to technology always in our pocket.  Don't get me wrong I love the ability to settle debates with a simple, "lets Google it!" or find out the weather in a moments notice.  It's amazing how far this technological renaissance has come. We literally have the power to accomplish outstanding achievements from virtually any geological location on this earth.  But what is the cost associated with such amazing power at our fingertips?  What is the true cost to our society?  To our well being?  

Take for instance, going to the doctor or dentist office or riding the bus.  In past a sense of community was instilled in these places because you'd have people like me sparking up conversations with complete strangers just because I had nothing else to do but stare at the person across from me.  Now look at today, if you go into any waiting room, any bus, everyone is head down staring at a phone.  I'm not saying that I don't do it too, but its gotten a little out of hand wouldn't you agree?  People are constantly engaged in something that isn't in their actual reality and they're so engaged that even if they have 30 seconds of waiting for something they instantly pull out their phones and check something.  I think a lot of our patience is on a short fuse because of this constant need for stimulation, no one actually has to stand there and be quiet with themselves.  So when do we unplug?  I challenge you to speak up and talk to someone you don't know today. You never know you it might just make their day or yours!

The past couple weeks I was feeling overwhelmed with the amount of connection I was feeling with my devices.  Emails, calls, texts, social media comments, questions, etc.,  All of this was getting to me and I felt the walls closing in on me.  Luckily, I had something to look forward to, a friends wedding in Mexico.  I took this opportunity to completely turn myself off, sure I still had my phone if an emergency came up but for the most part it just sat idle in the bottom of my sandy beach bag. (I dont' advise leaving your phone in the bottom of a beach bag). The only time it really came out was to take a picture of the beautiful sunrise, or to play a game of crib.  (anyone else love crib?!?)

Taking just that one week to unplug from the day to day operations of my busy work life has left me feeling liberated and motivated to achieve more.  It allowed me more time to sketch and enjoy the surroundings I found myself in.  I found that I had more conversations with people I didn't really know before and it truly felt amazing!  I feel more creative now then I ever have!  I thought by sharing my experience with you it might spark something in you to try it.  Remember it doesn't have to be a full week, but maybe just an afternoon, or an evening.  Give it a try and see if you feel as liberated as I did ;)

I'll leave you with this, when was the last night you unplugged and unwinded?  Maybe give it a try and while you're at it, talk to a complete stranger and try and make their day better :)

Until next time,

xoxo,

Lennard