unplugged

Last Updated on December 19, 2011 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP-C

Blessings in disguise. They happen all of the time, I suppose it’s just a matter of choosing to view them as blessings…even if at first they make you want to throw a temper tantrum.  This week (and probably next) I am, for the first time in years, not constantly “plugged in” to the internet.  The not-so-trusty smart phone is no more for the time being, and the house computer at my parents went to computer heaven.

When I first realized I was officially unplugged, I panicked.  What if someone important emails me? No doubt my Klout score is gonna drop (I’m still not convinced it matters, but I’m competitive about random, unimportant things). I have a ton of reviews to write I’m already behind.   And I mean, what do I DO with myself if I can not be constantly updated on the daily doings of my facebook friends?  I won’t lie, the first 48 hours were tough. I believe I actually shook a little, when something funny happened to me on the way to work and I couldn’t instantly tweet about it. 

But eventually the withdrawals passed. I actually caught up on my laundry, cleaned my room and organized the kids room. We baked cookies. I knit a scarf. No, really, I knit a scarf. Who knew I was capable of such domestic-ness?  I played board games with the kids, built elaborate Thomas the tank engine railroads, and became a (slayed) dragon and a noble steed.  All of this with no hashtags or status updates.  So this is what the 90’s were like, before I went to college and became a slave to the world wide web.  I joke, but you have to admit, it’s sort of true. Remember those days, when we had to wait until we got home to call each other?  Or updated our friends about the adventures of our weekend on Monday mornings instead of instantly as they happened?

Dare I say, being unplugged is kind of nice.

Not that I didn’t appreciate nor enjoy all of these things before, but it does feel like I’ve taken a bit of a vacation from “work” per-se. I love blogging, I love social media, but a break will be nice.  The holidays are upon us, and though this year has been a crazy roller coaster, I have realized how incredibly blessed I truly am.  I have been blessed with a beautiful family and amazing friends and people who genuinely care.  It honestly humbles me.  This week, an amazing act of kindness this week from an anonymous friend brought me to sobbing tears.  It made me realize that I have a lot of reasons to feel down this Christmas, but  I have even MORE reasons to smile. 

So, this year for Christmas, I will remain “unplugged” and I will enjoy every second of it. Hunting for the elusive elf-on-the-shelf with my kids.  Baking (more) cookies.  Laughing and reminiscing with my family.  Counting my blessings.  And hopefully if mother nature cooperates, playing (and running) outside in the snow for a white Christmas.  All of the things I cherish about this time of year.

In the meantime, please enjoy a week full of product review posts (that I’m about to spend the rest of tonight writing before officially disappearing from the world wide web for another few days).  I’ll check back in next week 🙂

Merry Christmas my friends!  I am very thankful for ALL of you, and I hope you all have a fabulous week!