Leslie Brennan, a Shift Key writer and content marketing guru, has decided to take a different approach to 2015. In the true spirit of Janus, the Roman god of doorways — known for looking backward and forward simultaneously, Leslie’s resolution is to do the same. Are you up for her challenge?
For 2015, I’m taking a step back in time. Or let’s say, an about face on the tech thing. I’m a little over looking across my den to find my kids with a death grip on their phones and eyes twitching focus between incoming texts and snap chat. The glow of the screen is like a well trained hypnotist leaving me yelling for everyone to “break free! Look up and talk to one another. Or read a book instead of the short story playing out via OMG, IDK and LOL texting.” It’s become very clear that the sign which reads “NO TEXTING ZONE” hanging in full view not ten feet away from my precious zombies is not working. Folks would have to look up for it to stand a chance of being effective.
I’m going back to the dinosaur age of printed calendars where all of my notes can be in one place instead of a million sheets of paper. Using the calendar on my phone and separate To Do lists has left me feeling scattered, overwhelmed and unfulfilled for the last couple of years.
Also, I’ve joined a book group with real people that meet once a month. And we read books printed on real paper. I love the weight of the book in my hands and the feel of turning pages. There’s nothing like bending the crisp corner of a page to mark where I left off reading and to see my progress as the weight of the book shifts from my right hand to my left the further I read. So, unless I’m traveling, no more e-reader.
Don’t get me wrong. I rely on media and technology for most everything I do. My world would cease to function if I no longer had access to the Great Wizard that is in The Cloud. But I rely too heavily, I think. And I fully intend to use blogs and websites run by creative and energetic people that actually take time to produce and share day by day instructions to de-clutter my home and my life to help me achieve this goal. I plan to totally reap the benefits of these generously proud OCDers willing to help keep me, one of the less fastidious folks still out there, in line.
While the goal of these compulsively organized organizers and bloggers may be to create a more perfect order in the universe or help the likes of me find a way to do just a little bit more in a single day, my goal is to find time to do less. I want more time with my real kids. I want more time in my real chair with my real book. I want more space to simply breathe. And maybe, I’ll even have time to use real paper and pen to write that novel I’ve always wanted to write. There are a million blogs and web sites that will help me get that published for sure!
In all certainty, 2015, for me is decluttering my life in every way possible. And I know I can count on technology to get me there.
*(By the way, the super-cool old school calendar pictured here is by Field Notes. They’ve got loads of beautifully designed items at http://fieldnotesbrand.com/shop/. We love their stuff.)