I am Me - episode 69
To date Celine is our youngest Insta-Summer guest and she has an abundance of insight to share. While being a social media manager she has discovered what she is good at, and now what she wants to focus on. One thing led to the other and she’s been processing her next moves and how best to roll in what she’s learned and what makes up a healthy balance. And for the record Celine has the best giggle and a wicked playful side which speaks to me greatly.
Celine talks about digital wellness and I could not have been more intrigued. I cannot wait until she builds her course so I can be a student. I want to learn how to juggle sharing Unabashed You on social media while being healthy in doing so. There are many positive aspects to Instagram. I’d like some best practices to keep things in check. Maybe you feel the same.
Passionate. Kooky. Fun-loving.
— Celine
Digital Wellness
Thoughts from I am Me
As you could likely tell from our conversation I was enamored by the idea of digital wellness. Of course it would become a thing since many (most?) of us spend more time on our devices (desktop, laptop, tablet, phone) than we’d like to admit. I’m not thrilled when my phone tells me how much time I’ve spent on my devices per day for the past week. Yikes! Ok, we do need to take into account this is where I do my work, read my books, get my news so it’s not all trivial. And is this labor of love, creating Unabashed You, pointless? Is working to share it on social media necessary? I would have to say, No it’s not pointless and Yes, it’s necessary to share.
How else will people stumble upon this website (and others) if they don’t know it’s there? They have to hear about it and more than once. The rule of thumb is you need to hear something 7 times before you will remember it and take action. So I better keep my hustle going! The juggling act is to work on it, get it out there, and have balance in my life so I'm not overdoing it. What does overdoing it look like? I imagine it varies from person to person but there has to be some basics we can agree will equal digital wellness.
In looking into this further, digital wellness - is the pursuit of an intentional and healthy relationship with technology in the workplace and in personal life. This is an excellent, all encompassing definition. Let’s take it, and come up with some best practices courtesy of Google. They are for me as much as they are for you:
Focus your time with tech: Create boundaries for yourself. Setting limits prevents you from time-wasters especially if you know certain apps or sites are enticing to you. Set a timer. Take a break. Organize your home screen to be minimal and put apps in folders on the second page so they are not so readily available.
Unplug more often: While disconnecting can be hard it is necessary to be healthy. At night step away from your device. Keep your phone out of reach so you won’t feel the need to check it often. Use Do Not Disturb notifications to create downtime. Designate device-free spaces and times at home.
Minimize distractions: Pausing apps or turning off notifications can help focus. You can disable sounds and vibrations. When you are with others minimize using your device as to give your full attention and maximize quality interactions. Use your AI feature (Alexa, Siri, etc.) when possible to decrease being pulled to your screen.
Find balance: If appropriate, discuss technology, set limits, pause Wi-Fi and manage video time. With kids, teach safety and guide them to the good stuff while you block explicit content. Use technology to explore offline activities and then go do them together.
I am really glad I googled digital wellness. The webpage has more detail (it was concise and thorough). You can find the whole thing here: https://wellbeing.google. In an effort to be transparent, here are my current digital wellness practices:
The ringer to my phone is off. I am in charge of my phone, my phone is not in charge of me. I know that sounds a bit harsh but this has really worked for me. Yes, I do have an iWatch so I occasionally see calls coming in if I’m paying attention. But again no sound comes through - no vibration. It’s all visual. Don’t worry, I will be throwing myself under the bus here shortly.
My phone is in another room. Occasionally it is where I am but primarily it is kept on my desk. If I want to be on it then I am. If I leave the house I do take it with me.
Equal time. I probably spend equal time on my devices. Phone is for keeping in touch (text/calls) and Instagram. Tablet is for email and watching shows - primarily fun stuff. Laptop is for work, and by work I mean this website (podcast/blog) along with household stuff.
Notifications off. I turn off notifications except texts which come as they come. If I want to go to an app or a site I go.
Lest you think I am digitally well, I can assure you I am not. One of my vices is to go to the News app with the intention of finding out what is going on in the world. Stay informed you know. That doesn’t last long because they next thing you know I have gone down some sort of rabbit hole that at the moment seems more interesting. Not sure why. Are JLo and Ben Affleck really looking for a house? How was Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton’s wedding? Let’s see the pictures! It’s pretty harmless really unless it has sucked up a whole lot of my time. And that is on me. Maybe I should set a timer. My other habit is I do enjoy a good binge. There is something about hunkering down and watching one show that I deeply enjoy. Mare of Easttown anyone? Schitt’s Creek?
I spend about the same amount of time on Instagram as I do on the content for UY. I wish that wasn’t the case. It seems in this day and age you simply must market this way if you want to share the goodness you are creating. And since I do believe in encouraging others, in having conversations that will help us think, and move us in some way, I will continue to work on my digital wellness while I share Unabashed You with you. Sound like a plan?
Put down your phone and pick up your life. — Unknown
