Two Thursdays ago I shared with you the soul expression journey that I was on with Matt Omo.
I’m still continuing on that journey and this week, the home play has stepped it up a notch.
Oi, it’s a doozy. Ready?
We have been asked to step away from all forms of media.
Step away from all forms of media.
Let me tell you what this includes; no email, no internet, no texting, no applications, no television, no movies, no music, no READING.
Let me tell you what this means; no escapism.
When you are left with only the sounds of the world around you, when you are left with only your work and your thoughts and feelings, when you are left with the only way to connect being conversation, you are left without excuses. You are left without veils to hide behind.
It’s magical.
Personally, the first day that these ‘rules’ were imposed, I railed against it. I became increasingly uncomfortable, anxious even. My thoughts were erratic. I mean, what would I do, who would I be, how would I fill the space? I rebelled, staying on facebook for longer than I normally would (define normal!) and frequenting apps I hadn’t touched for weeks!
Then I realised, I’m a committed finisher, if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do this right.
Not being able to access the internet, answer emails and be on social media is actually impossible for most people’s work, so, we were able to do that when it was necessary. This involves some honesty with yourself. Exactly how often do you really need to check emails and use the internet and social media for your work?
I made little rules for myself, deleting facebook and other applications from my phone, allowing emails to be checked only twice a day (and even then that’s really too much), no text conversations, only real ones, no TV – I was happy with that – and reading and internet when only relevant to research for my work.
How has it been magical?
It’s amazing how the space gets filled when we don’t have these distractions to fill it. I have allowed more thought in. And the thoughts seem calmer. They seem to float in, which makes me think they’re the thoughts I’m really supposed to hear. The ones that are flurried and frantic are best ignored. And I’ve only been able to notice that difference because I’ve stepped away from these distractions.
There’s also been a hell of a lot more self- love. Hey, I get to have baths in place of the telly watching.
I’ve started making lists and plans about what I want to see and do, generally, in life. I didn’t know I wanted to do these things before.
I’ve started writing a program for my tribe. (Stay tuned. Details to come.)
I have been pleasantly forced to have conversations instead of texting back and forth.
I have been focussed. When the phone is no longer smart and just becomes a phone, your attention is not as gettable. What you’re focussing on really gets all of you, not a half arsed version of you. Sh*t gets done more calmly and with passion.
I have found the lost art of journal writing. I suggest this to clients all the time yet not been practicing what I preached here myself. I realised just how much I missed it and how valuable it was. I’m back now though baby!
Wow.
Wanna give this a go?
Go on, I dare ya. Perhaps it’s only one thing that you give up. Perhaps taking facebook off your phone is enough. Perhaps promising that you’ll pick up the phone when it looks like more than two text messages are going to be sent is enough. Perhaps reducing telly watching to an hour a night is enough.
Whatever it is for you, I’m sure that will be perfect.
Just imagine the possibilities.
With love
Lynda
PS. If you like what I have to say or think someone else could benefit from this humble little blurb, feel free to ‘like it’ or ‘share it’. And if you’re feeling it, share with us your thoughts in the comments section below! We’d love to hear from you.
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