Tags
growing, journey, listen to your body, meditation, off the grid, pause, pema chodron, social media, taking the leap, yoga
On this journey to becoming a better person I’ve been reading Pema Chodron’s Taking The Leap. I first picked it up [haha just kidding I read my books electronically so the saying isn’t quite right but I just love how comfortable that saying sounds] when I was searching for a book to expand my yoga practice. When I saw it was only about 60 pages long, I thought it would be an easy read so why not start…it’s now a week later and I’m only 3 chapters in. So far I think the book was written really well and I LOVE how much it makes me think about how a lot of the things I’m unhappy with right now, or that I feel are out of control, can be handled depending on which parts of me I choose to use. I also appreciate the perspective that the book takes of each person being born open and loving and that it’s society that shapes us to be closed off, and how it’s our job to break through that. One thing that’s pointed out early on is the concept of taking time to “pause” in your day. Just taking a moment to slow down, to try and calm down your mind. This is something that I feel could help me during my busy days. To learn to put asside the things I have to do next, and give the present moment my attention.
Lately I’ve noticed myself having lots of anxiety over social media. Whether it be the constant flip between platforms waiting for something new to pop up, hoping for a friend to message, or the constant looking for “something more”. I’m tired of always feeling like there should be something on my phone. I do not believe that an electronic device should control my life. I also HATE the false sense of connection that my phone gives me, and how unsatisfying that connection is.
I’ve decided that I’m going to go a week without using social media by deleting all apps from both my phone and tablet, and that I’m going to use Chodron’s concept of “pause” to fill the void every time I go to try and open an app. I figure without deleting the apps, I’m in such a habit of mindlessly checking social media that I’ll just be accidentally opening apps.
Things I hope come out of this week:
- I start to lessen my craving [for lack of a better word] for the connection that other people appear to have in pictures and posts on social media
- I stop waiting for other people to validate my existence with never ending conversation
- I learn to listen more attentively and handle things via text/email less
- I go out and see/meet people to find connection
One thing I fear:
- I instead find a new way to procrastinate
I think that this may be a challenging step but I think it’s an important step to take going forward. I think that through yoga and my attempts at meditation I’m starting to be able to focus on my breathing to stay grounded but I haven’t been able to do that with out the structure of a yoga class or a meditation podcast. I’m not ready to take on the challenge of listening to my body, that’s something I have struggled with since I was 12, but listening to my mind is something I can tackle.