This is what I might call my next book in my quest to find a way to wean my children off of Fortnite.

I watched “The Minimalists” documentary on Netflix the other day. Not only do shows like that and Marie Kondo’s “Tidying up” make everyone want to throw everything they own out a window, light it on fire and start over- but it makes us think about how we’re really doing life. My New Years resolutions and goals line up with this blog post and what’s been on my mind lately. To read those resolutions you can see the full blog post here.

Most of the time I feel like we’re doing alright- but I’m not going to lie- I’ve watched my big boys have full-on melt downs because a game was turned off. You know the game. It’s not just our kids, it’s their friends, and their friends friends and everyone’s kids on the facebook. It’s terrifying and weird and makes you question everything you’re doing as a parent. Did I create you? Who are you? I don’t even know you- you evil monster.

I’m not judging anyone – I’m sitting in the boat next to you. If you’re judging me- get out. This is a judgement free zone friend. I feel we’ve all been a little – whats the word- duped, sucked into this digital world. One in which there were no rules going in.

And now- here we are- staring off into the screen- missing prime moments in life. It’s not just the digital world that concerns me though. It’s our life outside of the digital world that is encouraged by the digital world. (Mind blown)

How many times have I looked at Pinterest then looked at my house and thought- I’ve got to change that? Starting a project I had no time, energy, or cash to start? Too many times.

How many times have I felt like my home, my photography, my day of just being a mom are not as good as they could be? So many.

I don’t want to go back in time, although sometimes it feels like it would be nice to go back to my childhood days of the 80’s where we had less distractions. A time when riding a bike around the neighborhood and playing in the woods for hours on end with no adult supervision wasn’t a big deal. (God bless the 80’s where you didn’t  have to juggle 387 passwords to access every aspect of your life.)

I did love that time but no, I don’t want to go back. I want to move forward. I want to move forward with my family more connected and grounded and attached to the things that matter. Maybe its not a popular move – but maybe it will be. I feel like we’re stepping into a time where people are starting to get it. A connection is starting to be made between our relationship with things and screens and our failing relationships with people and trees and dirt.

There was a description of a book I saw that said that ADD and ADHD can be linked to Electronic Screen Syndrome. Electronic Screen Syndrome. Did you know there was such a thing? Am I the only one that didn’t? Is it treated with a pill? I imagine treating it with a dead-battery device and getting your feet in the grass would be a good start.

So what are we doing to be different?

Here’s my plan to simplify specific areas of our life. Will it work? Who knows. We’re making it up.

1.  Limit screen time. For everyone. It’s not a fortnite thing. Or a facebook thing. It’s a screen time thing. No dinner table, no restaurant Ipads, and no scrolling whilst watching tv.
2. Spend 20 minutes a day outside. Everyday. Take a walk, sit on the porch, play at the park. Just be outside.
3. Limit spending on things. Things we don’t need, things we don’t wear, eat, utilize. Just stop spending on things that distract us from people and nature. Find entertainment in nature and spend more time with people.

Day 1- Feb 12- What did I do today? 

-Today I ordered a book online- The Nature Fix. I’m looking forward to reading this!

-I deleted Facebook from my phone (again) and logged out on my laptop. Hopefully this lasts longer than last time.

– The big boys played outside for a couple of hours in the snow, and I took our smallest out on the front porch and just watched him play and took photos.

This is my start. I hope if you’re starting somewhere- this has been helpful. Maybe your list is different than mine, but if it makes you happy and you feel like you’re spending more meaningful connected time with people and nature in your life, then good job you.

One day at a time.