The simple joys found.
May 15, 2009
Oh hello. It feels really good to be back. You may have not noticed an absence, but I have been nearly a month without reliable internet. I have been having to go to my grandmother’s to email, run the ETSY shop and make the occasional blog post. Granted, she only lives next door, but it did take a bit of planning.
Besides the fact that I was (am still) incredibly behind on emails, and have made a few mistakes with getting orders straight, I learned more than I had expected to! Life without internet is tricky when you work from home, but oh….it was a much needed break!
Lessons from a wireless-less home:
*Life is too full of wonder to think more wonder lies behind a screen.
* Emails can be attacked once a day rather than paying attention to the constant nagging of the “What-if-they-emailed-me-back” syndrome.
* Communication is a lot easier online. But much nicer on the phone.
* My children noticed a renewed focus on them. They can’t say it, but they are much happier when I am not dedicating a portion of my mind to the distractions online.
*My business can do fine without my constant attention. Checking in Twice a day is just fine.
* Finding resources in books had become second to google. What a treasure to let go of Google searches and go to the library or bookshelf instead.
* Staying organized in Google Docs is only good if you have the internet. Paper lists became my support, and it felt good to sharpen more pencils.
* My home is beautiful and wonderful and I don’t need it to look like a post from Apartment Therapy to feel cozy and safe and inspiring.
* Life is full of simple joys that can be forgotten when there are too many distractions around you.
But with all the lessons learned, WOW I am glad to have my missing arm back. It is just good to know now that moderation is everything. I can’t wait to be blogging again, and posting more pics. It feels good to be back.
This time of year is so magical for me. Watching my kids play in the yard all day and experiencing an earth that is growing every day. I can’t even get decent pictures of Ian because he becomes so transformed in his outdoor world I can’t keep up with him! (The extra 35 pounds on my body has something to do with that too though!)
And in case any of you are wondering who made that darling green dress, it sure wasn’t me. Cally has made me a few things over the past year or two, and I can’t say enough about her incredible talents. Check out her blog here for more sewing awesomeness.
See you soon, and happy weekend!
xo
sarah j.
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Thank you for all of these very important reminders! Might have to pin them to my board (above my computer!) to keep my distraction level to a minimum. You said it perfectly!
I think we all get so attached to our little internet connection to the outside world, sometimes we do forget to walk out the door and actually experience it!
Like you, I also tend to constantly be checking my emails and checking my shop to keep up with everything. But recently I instituted a new rule of shutting down my computer for at least a couple of hours a day. Then I’m not tempted to take a peek at my inbox and I’ve found that I am so much more focused on whatever I happen to be doing. It’s a nice break
Oh, thank you Sarah. She looks adorable in the dress. Your pictures are fantastic.
And thanks for the little reminders. It’s so good to remember, again, that the plain and simple things come only when we simplify. duh.
So great.
Sarah,
That little girl is ADORABLE in the green dress. Can I come play? Are we still planning on this weekend? I’ll call you.
Until then, take a belax in the sun!
You can actually use Google Docs without the internet.
– Your loving brother.
you read my mind – um that dress is ADORABLE. the style, the color, the polka-dots. {so cute, cally!} and your photos look like they’re from a set.
also, i was smiling in agreement to many of your lessons & statements. we all need the reminders, so thank you! oh & acknowledging the “what if they e-mailed me back” syndrome made me laugh.
Sarah! LOVE your thoughts….gorgeous photos……..I just love your honest posts, and gorgeous photos, and everything! Good luck with baby being born!
Hugs,
Laurie
Very well said and so true. Love your art work.
Sarah, thanks for the reminder to focus more on the things that really matter.
You are a fantastic photographer! Beautiful photos!
I was wow and woo over the little dress and just as I was wondering who made that dress, I saw the link towards the end of your post. U can read our mind !
Oh, the pics of your munchkins turned out so great! Can’t wait to see the rest!!!!
PS- Did you like the purse??????
I miss everything that i read on this post. How often we forget to enjoy life without the constant existence of the internet/email.
I am glad this is working for you. These pictures are gorgeous. Do tell what you did to make them look like this:)
Sarah Jane you just summed up my thoughts EXACTLY. Thank you for sharing!
Hello Friend! Sounds like you are doing just fine, don’t apologize (people always tell me that). I feel for you and know what you mean, once you walk away from technology/blog/twitter it is hard to get “back in” to it. Enjoy your family (I am enjoying mine this year with slower than usual sales) they are only young for a short time. The business is always there. Take care of yourself, number 3 is going to be here soon enough!
Ugh, did I ever need to read this post!! Ever since I joined one of those blasted online networking sites a couple months ago, everything has been topsy-turvy here. I cannot believe how one minute I was on top of things at home, and the next, I’m on the computer throughout the entire day, every day! I knew it was bad when I found myself thinking about online stuff while in yoga class, for pete’s sake!!! All of your bullet points are TRUE. (Of course, had it not been for the Internet, I’d have not read your post, ha ha, but…) Now I’m off to “sharpen pencils” of my own and take a breather from the computer for the rest of the day (baby steps… not sure I could stay away longer than that for now…) . THANK YOU for the reminder!!
wow… so powerful and just what I needed to hear and know, that I am not alone and others time gets gobbled up……..I too would only like to check my emails twice a day and see the wonder beyond the screen….thanks sarah