What I'm Reading
Does teaching my five year old to read count? I've been doing a lot of that lately along with reading aloud to my kids. Currently we are reading Jotham's Journey for advent and Farmer Boy as part of my older son's history. I did manage to finish reading The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black. Most people seem to love it and I honestly didn't. I enjoyed the writing style, the characters and the world building but I didn't enjoy the blood. I am not a blood and gore sort of girl and this book was full it (all cleverly and descriptively written which made my stomach all queasy even as I admired the writing). I'm now reading Strait of Hormuz by Davis Bunn and I am dying to start Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.
What I'm Writing
I didn't write anything this week. I got distracted by my new laptop...
What Inspires Me Right Now
I've been finding family time to be very precious and inspiring. My husband has had some time off for the first time in forever. I love spending time together and watching him play legos with the kids.
I have also been inspired by this month's YA Buccaneer's Truth or Dare challenge.
"This month, I dare you to disconnect. Limit your online activities as much as is comfortable for you. Turn off your phone. Read a real, physical book instead of the e-book version. Call a friend on the phone with an invitation to coffee. Give up Facebook or Twitter or blogging or Pinterest or whatever takes up more of your time than you'd like, takes you away from the people you love."
It got me thinking about the time that I waste on the internet. I don't mean the time I am actively networking or connecting with friends and family. I don't even mean the time that I spend looking up specific things on Pinterest. I mean the time I spend looking at Facebook because real life feels to crazy and I want to hide, or the time I spend aimlessly looking through all the ideas on blogs and Pinterest just because its more fun to dream then it is to actually work towards dreams. I also waste a considerable amount of time checking my phone for messages and emails.
I don't want to cut social media completely out of my life or stop checking my email but I do want use my time constructively. I'm going to (attempt) to limit my Facebook, Twitter ect. by only checking it in the evenings when the kids are tucked in for the night. My email will be more like twice a day but that is so much better than being tied to my phone. Blogging is something I love and I feel that it helps me with my writing goals so I'm going to keep working on that, just at a pace that allows family time to be my priority. I want my family to know that they come first, now and always.
Feel free to hold me accountable and ask me how its going! (just don't do it on twitter or FB lol)
What Else I've Been Up To
Birthdays! My oldest son turned 7 so we had a roller skating party for him. He loved it! I'm still working on the lego table. My son knows I'm up to something but he hasn't figured out what yet.
I also got older this past week. My husband surprised me with a new laptop for my birthday/Christmas present. Not just any laptop either. He got me the one I've been drooling over for months. I was in shock for two full days! It is so nice to have a laptop that has a decent battery and that doesn't freeze when I open up more than one tab (I've caught myself giggling at how fast I can switch from one tab to another!). Now that I've played with it a few days it is time to use it to get back to my writing :)
What have you been up to?
It would be hard to completely disconnect but I've noticed that I spent a lot less time on FB and twitter during November when I was busy doing NaNo. Now, I'm trying to check it when I have random moments- standing in line, waiting while picking up one of my kids, etc. Otherwise I could spend all day getting nothing done!
ReplyDeleteNew laptop! Awesome!
Using random moments like that is a great idea!
DeleteHappy birthday! A new laptop is a great present and definitely a great distraction. Hope you can get back to writing this week :D And good luck to your little one who's learning to read. What an exciting time!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I've been putting all my WIPs on it so they will be ready to go:)
DeleteMy daughter is very excited about reading because she wants to read her Fancy Nancy and Ladybug Girl books all by herself. She loves those books!
I need to unplug more too. For me the horrible time suck is stupid games on facebook that accomplish nothing but are a good way to waste time. They are fun when you have a few minutes to kill, but now I'm totally addicted and killing way to many minutes. Must stop! You are inspiring me.
ReplyDeleteThose games are addicting! I stopped playing them a few months back and I seldom miss them but it was hard to keep away for the first few days.
DeleteHappy Belated Birthday! A laptop is an awesome gift! I'd probably get distracted by it too. :-) I know what you mean about social media sucking up valuable time. I frequently make the circuit for no other reason than because it's become a ridiculous compulsion. I'm going to limit that too, I think. Have a great week unplugging, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'd play with it all day if I could.
DeleteI get that same compulsion. I have it right now but I'm staying strong!
Thanks for stopping by :)
Happy birthday! Your new laptop sounds awesome! That should be very convenient for writing. I know exactly what you mean about the whole social media issue. That's part of the reason I took a break from the blogs. I was spending way too much time online and not enough time on other things that needed my attention. Keeping balanced is such a tricky thing. Good for you for trying to put your family first!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I think teaching your five-year-old to read definitely counts. I hope that's going well for you! Have a great week! :)
Thank you! Balance is so hard. I'm hoping this challenge will help. I think breaks, whether from blogging or other social media are very needed sometimes.
DeleteMy best chatting and most of my work is online. I do write in a book first then go to the computer but cutting my online would negatively affect me. I'm limited enough without owning a computer. But taking time for those you love is never bad, Also reading to your child does count. kids need to see people reading, especially their parents.
ReplyDeleteYes, cutting back on it definitely isn't for everyone. I'm hoping to find the right balance. I keep up with most of my family and a lot of networking online and I don't want that to suffer.
DeleteMany happy returns of the day to you, and your son! Having a laptop you can really work with is a beautiful thing.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYes, it really is :)
Hurray or the new laptop! What a gift! :) And I love that you had a roller skating party for your son. I remember having a birthday party at a roller skating rink, and it was the best thing ever. :) Love your thoughts on disconnecting. I get into bad habits - checking emails, scrolling Twitter, etc. - and I love taking a moment to reassess and step back. Kudos for taking the YA Buccaneers challenge! Have a great week, Sarah! :)
ReplyDeleteI know! I was so, so , so surprised!
DeleteMy son loved the roller skating party and so did I as it was there so I didn't have to clean my house for company hehe. I'm finding disconnecting to be extremely hard but I feel more present with my family and I get more done when I do have some time on my computer so its worth it.
Congrats on the new laptop, and everything you've got going on with your family! :) Nice to meet you.
ReplyDelete