Sleep (& Relaxation!) is the New Black

My Dad, sitting fireside :)

I just got back from my trip to a cozy, remote, mountain cabin in Rabun County, GA, and let me just say that is was magical! Although I brought piles of books (actually, the books I brought were loaded on my changing-my-life-one-download-at-a-time-Kindle, so there were no physical piles, but there would have been if they weren't e-books...), magazines, and journaling supplies, what I really did the whole time was sleep. Yes, I did read 2.5 books, do a few pages of art journaling, and go on 3 long hikes, but when I wasn't doing one of these three things (or eating), I was sleeping...and oh my goodness it was a joyous occasion :)

My other fave activity while I was away was building fires and reading by them...a-mazing. On Saturday I think we built our "evening fire" around 4pm and read fireside--
with one break to prepare and eat dinner--until bedtime. Ahhhh, peace.

---

All of my art journaling supplies set out on the table.

Similarly, being unplugged for 78 hours or so was a wonderful reminder for me of how important it is to unwind from the constant tug of modern technology. After the first 12-14 hrs, it felt like my brain was able to relax--to adjust to not being able to check my iPhone, email, or calendar every 5 minutes--and the lack of stimulus allowed me to truly tune into my body and give it what it needed (which was....sleep!!!).  

Prompted by this trip, my challenge to myself is to unplug for at least 10 hours each week (no, time spent sleeping doesn't count!). I'll keep you posted on how it goes! My challenge to you--do the same! Unplug and enjoy whatever it is that you enjoy away from modern technology.

Namaste!
Mary Catherine

---