Digital detox & loving the ordinary

I’ve decided to do a digital detox for the month of May, and then reflect. It’s not possible to disappear off to a retreat somewhere, and so my detox will be to only use digital for work, and check my phone and emails at the beginning and end of the working day. I am on day three and already experiencing the benefits.

In the early mornings, evenings and at lunchtime; I’m spending more time watching the sky view from my sitting room window. Enjoying the changing colours, as I sit with notebook and pen. It feels so relaxing compared with scrolling to discover what’s happening in the world, online. Looking to see if I have any friendly messages — you have no messages 🤦‍♀️— to feel connected.

Since the first Covid lockdown I developed a habit of feeding my need for connection by going online. I think real human contact got replaced in this way for many. And, those of us who are not living with others and who work from home, well I think some of us got stuck in this to a certain extent — I know quite a few who have. Well, it’s not how I want to live, so I’ve been thinking about what to do about it, and then I came across this writers invitation.

My mind is already starting to feel spacious and calm, without the barrage of mainstream and social media news, that I have been letting into my mind over the last few years.

I have been making good use of my sofa, that became a boat to me last winter, where I laze during tea breaks letting my mind wander this way and that. Taking boat breaks from my writing to see what arises when there is no screen, no checking for emails and messages, or looking to see how my social marketing posts are doing; is incredibly nourishing.

The ever so ordinary sofa

My sofa is so ordinary, nothing special to write home about. Until, my mind weaves it into a story or richness. This sofa belonged to someone else until I bought it 8 years ago. It’s soft, comfortable and has become a boat to sail the seas of my mind.

When I was a kid back in the 1960’s, before there were duvet’s, I remember that when I was off school sick, I would be propped up in bed with a great big salmon coloured eiderdown that had been my grans, and my bed was my boat as I sailed the oceans in my imagination, sometimes stormy, sometimes calm; but always warm and cosy.

Today, I relaxed into this boat as I had a cup of something warm, guitar music playing in the background. The sky outside full of cloud again, but so many shades of grey and silver, and sometimes peach moving through. Then back to cotton whites and soft charcoals, like lots of cotton wool dipped in different coloured inks. And there was brightness too, which hinted at the sun that came through later in the day. The wood pigeons were flying from chimney to chimney, finally landing for a longer period of time, on top of the cross of the church across from my home.

I live in a very still, quiet street. Last winter I almost began to wonder if anyone else really lived here. I would see lights coming on as the late afternoon darkness arrived, and I noticed cars appear in driveways on my way home. But, I rarely saw any human beings. We have a what’s app group for the street where people post messages, so I know I have neighbours, but I have only met one so far! This is what the post-Covid world has become for me. I wonder if it has been the same for you — too much screen time, scrolling and virtual connection? I’d love to find out in the comments.

Since beginning this digital detox 3 days ago, I’m already enjoying the gentle spaciousness that is opening up in my mind. It’s full of reflections and nuance, away from the polarised world delivered to me through my screens.

Today is feeling soft and silken to my mind, unplugged from life’s addictions.

Joy dots

I talk about joy dots and why I share mine here. They are a workout for our positive neural networks, and our mirror neurons mean we can benefit from hearing or reading each others. I’d love to read yours, perhaps you will put them in the comments.

Snuggled in my own being

Gently moving cloudscapes

A robin in my window box

Peaceful heart

Tree bush makes me smile

Deep mauve Lilac

Sky brightening

Gentle peace

Seagull flying

Tiny fly on the window

I mentioned in my last post that I intended to talk about Dr Iain McGilchrist’s work today, but my thoughts aren’t properly formed.

Lovely lunch

I had a delicious lunch yesterday. That’s one of the upsides of working from home. I’ll share it with you, and on Friday I will share a kitchari risotto!

Recipe

Spring vegetable polenta

I’m really loving polenta this wet, grey spring, here in the U.K. It’s so simple to make this bright, sunshine recipe. If you are interested in Ayurvedic nutrition, all constitutions can benefit from eating polenta. Vata types drizzle with lots of olive oil, and whisk in a big dollop of ghee or butter at the end. Pitta types ditch the cheddar and Parmesan cheese options for a mild goats cheese. Kapha types add chilli, cayenne pepper or fresh chillis, and like pitta types use a mild goats cheese.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup polenta (fine corn meal)

• 2 cups water

• 1/2 cup milk

• Pinch of rock salt

• 1 tablespoon ghee or butter (if you know your Ayurvedic constitition not kapha types)

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or cheddar

METHOD

Bring the water, milk and a pinch of salt to the boil in a pan. Gradually add the polenta (fine corn meal) while whisking. Keep whisking until the polenta has thickened, then turn to low and cook for about 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so. Add the cheese once cooked, and extra ghee or butter if you need the comfort of that — vata types.

I served with steamed broad and french beans; along with sliced fennel bulb, garlic and courgette that had been sautéd in ghee until golden, with some crunchy sweet charred parts.

Thanks for reading and warmest wishes.

Lucy x