Back from an Unintended Blog Break

         

Photo from Pexels.com free to use, and this one made me think of my own multiple screen use.

       I appreciate the messages and comments on old posts checking in. Everything is good. I unintentionally took a blog break last week and most of this week for no real reason at all, just living life, and just wasn't putting things into the computer. I've read many of my regulars sporadically, but apologies for infrequent comments. I don't feel my regular rotation of posts are or have been very interesting either so can't imagine no blog posts for a bit were missed; I put myself to sleep, but haven't had new ideas to blog about since my Lessons post. I guess I gave myself a bit of a social media break in general or at least minimized. I'm weeks behind watching a few favorite YouTube channels, and other than messenger and for a couple groups, I've ignored Facebook. 

     Part of being less screen time active is the weather. When it's dry, I've got so many things to get done outside that I'm itching to get any inside stuff done then out. If I've felt caught up (or just sick of the walls since I'm never caught up) and it's sunny or even warmish, my porch or patio calls me with a real book or a magazine (back stack of Real Simple to November!) Sunlight and screens don't work together for me. 

     I'm finally getting my actions to match my goal to organize and declutter, and that's curbed the amount of time I grab my phone, tablet, or fire up the computer. I've tackled stacks of paper-those that need filing or shredding, the linen closet of doom that kept being on my to do list, then moved to the bottom, and I weeded out spring/summer clothes I know I'll not wear over the next six months, and there's nothing special about them worth holding. I've explored Vinted but to be honest, nothing I let go would be in demand. 

     I've subbed several days at an elementary school, did a small consultation project reviewing grant proposals, and did a pet food study which was interesting, but can't say a word. My social calendar has been hopping too; I've gotten together with different friend groups and individuals, long overdue. Sadly, I had a couple funerals and visitations for parents of friends. I had a couple club/ association events. 

    Poor pup is needing constant management  to time getting him outside regularly, and even then he's having frequent accidents. The vet hasn't been able to get quite the right insulin dosage but hoping adjustment Tuesday was the charm. The kitten, who is taller now than Little Miss and pretty close to same weight is doing great. He doesn't really sit in laps, just sort of floops on you. But, I captured this rare moment where he sat for a moment on me, and not on my head.

     I also have more news to share, but will do a post about it tomorrow or the next day as this has already gotten quite long.

     I want to put a bit of time in over the weekend to catch up with you all. Then, hopefully this unintended break will shift into me not necessarily putting strict limits on screens, but being more thoughtful when using and use for connections not avoidance. I still like social media and constantly learn from people and am motivated to step out of my comfort zone from time to time.