Power Down

January 10, 2013

 

If powering down means a detachment from technology, the Internet, social media….

what would that look like for you?

Does it make your skin crawl and a shiver run up your spine? Do you start itching all over? Do you get the shakes?

Kidding, of course, but seriously friends, we’re addicted whether we think so or not. When something becomes such an ordinary part of every day, so habitual and second nature,

*cough*facebook*cough*twitter*cough*facebook*cough*pinterest…

it’s most likely taking up a whole lot of our time. And we’re all so busy and I thought about this a lot when I always caught myself saying that I don’t have time to write or clean or get anything done ever (I like to dramatize).

Many moons ago I was reading an article by Anne Lamott that reminded writers that we have time to write, “if we get off Twitter.” Then my insides flip flopped because even though I don’t spend all day on Twitter, when I’m there, I get lost and totally forget what I was doing and then I look at the clock and an hour has passed in which I’ve clicked back and forth to twitter, responding to beeps and done pretty much nothing else besides scrolling through my inbox.

I started to mull this over after I read that article, and then I had Elsie and everything changed. My time changed so much that I was forced (in a good way) to see my routines more clearly. I ended up experiencing a shift in the connection to my online connection, a healthy detachment that felt like renewal, inspiration and freedom.

I still love me some social media, but here I am, in a different place.

It’s a really long story, which will be told (complete with my Minnaaaahsoooohtan accent) but all of this led to a passionate focus for me. I started to want this for other people. I started to see how much it would help people with the “balance” they’re searching for and I wanted to talk about it. So now I will, in a podcast, and I really hope you’ll listen!

You can learn more about the podcast at its home base on the SITSgirls website. (Power Down, the podcast, will be there to click on and listen to, starting Wednesday, January 16th and then will appear every other Wednesday.)

This podcast will be a conversation, hosted by myself and my friends Amy Whitley, Tiffany Romero and Fran Banducci (we won’t host all at once, but we’ll take turns, two at a time). We’ll talk about what powering down means in our lives and we’ll host a lovely guest each time. Our guests will be women who have created something in the online space–a successful blog or another creative endeavor based online–to talk about their “behind the scenes.” What is life like at home? How do they manage it all? In what ways do they struggle? These will be women who you most likely have heard of or maybe even follow online and some you haven’t, all of them wise and witty, inspiring and honest. We’ll speak candidly with them, about the ins and outs of life at home, online and off. I know this much–we’ll learn a lot from them.

If you are someone in the online space in some kind of work/hobby capacity, trying to build a readership or learning about writing, growing a business….whatever you’re doing here, you’ll know what I mean when I say that this podcast will be something akin to being a fly on the wall during a conversation over dinner or in a hotel room at a conference. You’re always invited in.

And if you’re someone who isn’t professionally attached to social media, this will still be a conversation that benefits you. You don’t want to miss it. We’re always talking about the struggle to find more peace in our chaotic daily grind. Everyone has this in common, and we want to give you practical tips and much more–a perspective on letting go a little more and a discussion on what you gain from that.

We’re not asking anyone to give up technology, to go all Laura Ingalls-Wilder on 2013. We’re simply asking the listeners to…well, listen….to be open to something that might be said just for you. And then, to maybe consider cutting back in whatever way feels right to you. Maybe keeping your iPhone or iPad out of the bedroom or logging off after 7pm. Maybe it means disconnecting for one day a week or simply becoming more aware of how often you’re tempted to check your phone.

Power Down is for all of us, and I really hope you’ll listen, and please don’t make fun of my accent. Thankyouverymuch.

{Amy has written a post about Power Down over at Never-True Tales. Her perspective always teaches me.}

{ 12 comments }

Megan {Velveteen Mind} January 10, 2013 at 11:17 am

Heather! You and me, our brains are likethis. This is what I’m teaching a class on at BlissDom this year! I literally just announced it -ish on Facebook. I am obsessed with forcefully, if necessary, getting offline.

The session is about the power of uninterrupted thought. (!!!) I’m so tired of being told that writers today should be able to juggle a multitude of distractions. I disagree. It’s not good for us.

Podcast? I’m all over it.
Megan {Velveteen Mind} recently posted..Enter the Arrogant Fool

Heather January 10, 2013 at 1:49 pm

I LOVE how so many people are thinking about/talking about this. I knew this was the time, to start to talk about this…but I had no idea that it would REALLY be the right time. Not a coincidence, yo.

xoxo

Robin Dance January 10, 2013 at 11:30 am

Ha! Heather…my one word for 2013 is LISTEN, so funny that you’d tell me (us) to do that, in whatever capacity we need to for your podcast.

As I’m looking to change up some ill-fated habits of late, this is a conversation I’m having inside my head. GOOD for you for pressing onward, and to Megs for bossing us around.

Uninterrupted thought? My lands! What a novel idea!
Robin Dance recently posted..BEHOLD one of life’s greatest mysteries

tracy@sellabitmum January 10, 2013 at 11:50 am

I love this. I started a twitter break 3 weeks ago and haven’t been back. It’s made this lump I had between my shoulders disappear. Just like that. Love this. Love you. I want to join in. Good stuff. xoxo
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..Finding Beauty

Amy @ Never-True Tales January 10, 2013 at 12:43 pm

I am so enthused about this idea. And the fact that the same need is being echoed all over the internet just reinforces the fact that we all need to make this change, in some small way.
Amy @ Never-True Tales recently posted..Power Down: a really big, really scary, really powerful idea

Kelly V January 10, 2013 at 1:24 pm

I will be tuning in! I have committed to starting the year with less screen time! I recently went to get a new cell phone and told the sales person, once again, I did not need a smart phone–just one that could send phone calls and send text messages. I think she thought I was secretly 80 years old, with a Benjamin Buttons type disease. Truth be told, I want my daughter to know what my eyes look like, and I fear with a smartphone I’d be looking away too much. Yes, I have to plan my routes for travel from home, and I can only check and respond from email from my one laptop in our house, but it purposefully limits me (and saves me $). I also took myself off of Facebook after being on it for the last 8 months, so I am forced to reach out to friends to express my genuine interest in their lives, versus a “scroll-by” on my newsfeed. Unlike you, my job does not require the use of social media, but it does require me using my computer from home, which can be enough use in a day or week. I have already noticed how my head is less cluttered. It is just more free. That may sound weird, but it is true. I look forward to your podcast!

Heather January 10, 2013 at 1:48 pm

no, not weird. that makes perfect sense to me.

We are looking down too much, too often into screens, most of us. And freedom really is what comes with doing less of that.

I love how you Benjamin Button.

Ann January 10, 2013 at 2:29 pm

This is so you. I love this, and I love the logo! Guess you need a PowerDown bracelet now :)
Ann recently posted..The Virgin Mary is 3 weeks post-partum and has some questions for you.

Lauren Goldman January 11, 2013 at 6:16 am

I totally love it and I WANT to go all Laura Ingalls-Wilder! Though that’s not reality, is it? I am ready to listen and learn. I so believe in the power of less is more, especially when it comes to technology. Thank you for writing on this important topic.

Kim January 11, 2013 at 8:53 am

Love this. I have noticed a trend toward this, so many of us are seeking the quiet, the real, the here and now instead of virtual. I can’t wait to listen to this. xoxo
Kim recently posted..Oh sleep…why do you elude me so?

Stephanie Precourt January 11, 2013 at 2:29 pm

SO excited about this, can’t wait to listen and follow along. xoxo

Steph
Stephanie Precourt recently posted..Room For Waiting

designhermomma January 11, 2013 at 8:03 pm

This has been on my heart too lately, and I’m excited to hear your words on this. BTW – can you remind me of this podcast, like on twitter or something? ;)
designhermomma recently posted..If you put a baby on a bookcase in 2012

Comments on this entry are closed.

{ 1 trackback }

Previous post:

Next post: