What I learned on my facebook break

1. It felt like a relief. Although I checked messenger rather a lot the first day as I was awaiting replies on a couple of things, including a rather vulnerable sharing and coordinating a get together with a friend, by the second day, I no longer felt compelled to check, although I did once or twice out of habit. The knowing that I had given myself conscious and public permission to be on a facebook break meant instead feeling compelled to check notifications, I felt the happy joy forgoing it. I was surprised how GOOD it felt to not even wonder whether or not I *should* check. I didn't realize how much mental energy I had been losing. had a lot more focus in my work and my relationships were more fulfilling. I experienced more joy and felt more engaged with life. I created a lot more fabulous experiences.

2. I gave myself more time to fully savor my 3Dd interactions and I cherished the synchronicities even more than I usually do.

3. I had more time to process my emotions. I found myself having a bit of a mid life crisis, yet instead of avoiding it, I felt like I was able to embrace and be with what showed up. I started imagining my children leaving home and felt sad. I cried a little. I talked about it with them and it was very nurturing and healing. I also decided when they do leave home, I'll probably do more traveling so instead of feeling left behind, we all have stories we've lived and enjoy swapping when we get together.
By the end of the week I wasn't thinking much about the future at all. I was too busy being a kid at heart. I went to the playground and played like I've never played before TWICE with my youngest. We had a mock olympics that included a log hopping competition. We tied for the gold medal.

4. I realized just how much time I give away to trying make my voice heard to people who are probably already set in their ways. I kept looking at a piece of art I gave my husband that depicts an owl on a branch and says, "Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself." I concurrently found myself thinking about Buckminster Fuller's quote about creating a compelling alternate reality that is so attractive it makes the old one obsolete. Today I started thinking seriously about re-entry and whether or not I truly want to re-enter. If I am completely honest, I think the answer is a little yes and a lot no. Which leaves me thinking a highly reduced time on that interface might be good. But as a recovering addict, can I have just one glass of facebook? I've tried before and failed. Will this time be different? Can I really go in and get out and get off? Or is that naive, like Charles Wallace thinking he can go into the "IT" and come out again? Speaking of which, we saw A Wrinkle In Time. I loved the casting of the Murry family and Calvin; I had a really hard time coping with the casting the Mrs Ws. was unbearable. I missed Mrs. Beast, and the plot at the end gets screwed up and misses some important things. But even with all that, I still love the story. And the prologue in the beginning is rather stunning. The makeup of the Mrs Ws  is absolutely hideous. But to leave you on a high note, the special effects that turn Reese witherspoon into a vegetable woman resembling a hybrid between Swiss Chard and a brussel sprout head are exquisite, and it's fun to watch the flowers catch Calvin from his NDE falling off one of her leaves. And more significantly, I loved the way it was Meg's embrace of her own weaknesses that allowed her to be loved - and to love - unconditionally.