Stop the scroll

Stop the Scroll! 

Determined not to spend this summer scrolling I've been finding things to do to fill our time, to keep me away from my phone and to really relish in what is usually the mundane of life - the day-to-day stuff that you usually just sail through on autopilot. I decided this year I was going to start romanticising life again in whatever way I could. 

Led in bed chilling with Alfie in our Airbnb the other day and I had this sudden rush of "nope, not doing this, we need to get back outside" ... it was evening, the sun had almost passed, but something inside me told me I had to take this moment and make of it what we could. 

So, I put down my phone, told Alfie to get his shoes on, and we popped down to the sea front to watch the sun set with some fish and chips for supper and let me tell you, it was just beautiful. I could have easily have continued lying in bed scrolling, missing the artwork that nature has to offer us on the daily, but I didn't and it was like an immediate reward for choosing to do that. The sky radiated in all different shades of orange, pink and yellows, it looked liked someone had taken a brush and created a watercolour painting just for us.

Sat watching Alfie really becoming aware of how he's growing, how fleeting these moments are and how quickly he is growing. It made me all the more thankful for listening to that little voice inside me, and for being able to enjoy these moments with him. 

One of the other things I've decided to start doing again is reading. Again, this something I've neglected really doing over the last few years as I've convinced myself I just haven't had the time... but actually, if I account for the time I spend doing meaningless tasks then I definitely can find the space in there to open a book and read, even if just for a moment. I find it helps me get out of my own head and puts me into another world entirely. 

I have a Kindle but have been choosing to read physical books, they just have so much more warmth to them and nothing beats that first page turn if a brand-new book... nor the new book smell (yes, they have one!) 

Do you enjoy reading? 

I've made it my mission since opening my first book of the year 2 weeks ago, to read at least 10 books before the year is out. I know that won't seem like a lot to the avid reader but for somebody who has had it at the bottom of the list of priorities for so long this felt like an achievable goal. 

I want to enjoy doing this, I don't want it to be something else that becomes a chore or another thing I feel I have to do because I've said I will do it, so I'm not putting too much pressure on myself. 

I will read when I have a moment to indulge, and I will stop when I feel I need to, being kind to myself in the process. 

How about you join me on this challenge? Set yourself a goal specific to you based on your own life circumstances, and see if you can get to your goal before the year is up. Granted, life often gets in the way, but wouldn't it be nice if we could all give ourselves a little bit of grace and love by doing something just for us?

I'm currently engrossed in "Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara" ... not too far into the book as yet so please no spoilers if you've read it already, but I'll review once I've finished and let you know if I recommend. I'll be happy to post it out to someone to, and then you can pass it forward.