Finding Routine Again

by Angela Sanford

Separate from the drought that still looms over East Hants and it's more serious ramifications, this summer was fantastic! While I have always enjoyed the solitude and peace of mowing the lawn, this summer I wasn't bound to the weekly regime of this task. As a matter of fact, last weekend was the first time since late June that I performed this chore.

   I had grandiose ideas of minimalizing my gardens over my break, however the plants that I did find the ability to move before July 1st have nearly all wilted to their demise. And so, I have cast this item from my to-do list aside until later this fall, when of course, it will rain torrentially, and I will be unable to complete the job.

   The two-month break allowed me to do some traveling, spend time with my granddaughter, family and friends, to golf and kayak at old favourites and at new places, and I spent many an hour reading. Still, my biggest achievement was in letting something go that had a large price tag attached.

   Actually, I let go of two things, both with their own costs but one I will hurt work hard to get back once school starts and one, I will continue to withdraw from as often as possible. First was food choices; I paid dearly for the decision to relax my food restrictions over the summer months and while I enjoyed each moment of flavor across my taste buds my digestive system was not as appreciative. 

   Despite my dislike of routines, I am eager to get back to my dietary habits and get my health under control once again with only an occasional sidestep, not a carefree and dismissive attitude I have displayed to date. 

   Second was my social media presence. Sure, I have accounts in variety of platforms but I only regularly (regular does not equate to constant) access Facebook and with each week of summer I tried to step back a little bit more. My phone would suggest that I'm on social media 24/7 but friends and family can attest that I am slow to respond at times in my personal account because I don't read my notifications immediately. 

   Now that I am not engrossed in promoting Wyatt’s amateur career, I find I can walk away from social media for brief periods and not feel much regret. I already gave up acknowledging birthdays, etc. on social media a few years ago; it was all consuming. 

   There isn't anyone I wouldn't want to send best wishes to but that meant I had to check daily or fear missing someone unintentionally. Then, last summer while in France, our access to all things online was certainly restricted and we survived.

   As a matter of fact, it was just as Wyatt stepped in the ring that my phone blocked several apps and I was “forced” to enjoy the moment for what it was - no photos, no live streams, no messages - just living the moment in person and what a great feeling that was!

   Earlier this year, I opted to have no phone or data service while I traveled outside the country, and I realized how critically reliant on immediacy of technology I had again become. I had to relearn how to live in the moment and since that journey I've started a new one, stepping as far back from social media as I can as often as I can.

   The excursion has been peaceful and freeing, but, on occasion and usually too late I learn of an event: a concert, a gathering, or something of other significance, that I almost missed out on or have missed altogether because I had not been on social media to be informed. That has happened a handful of times just this past month and almost happened this last weekend. Fortunately, I popped onto social media while eating lunch Sunday and a saw a notification for the celebration of New Glasgow's 150th birthday. 

   With a quick change of our end of day plans we decided to make the trip to New Glasgow for their celebratory drone show (I'll share greater detail on the event next week). I believe everything happens for a reason and we would have been none the wiser had I not scrolled through my Facebook feed at that time and would have missed a new experience. 

   But, that leads me to wonder about those who cannot afford the necessities to be able to engage in social media or those who choose to opt to detach or those who don't have the opportunity for whatever the reason - they don't get to view community events that are commonly only mass shared on such platforms these days. It’s probably more common than we think – someone is “left out,” and has led to the recent label of FOMO – Fear of Missing Out. 

   While I cannot be everywhere in person, I also cannot be online and in person simultaneously - I trust that you know my absence usually just means I’m unplugged, not uninterested.

I don’t believe of have FOMO, but I do believe I have likely missed events I would have enjoyed all because I did not constantly update my social media feed. Just know that if you’re surprised that I didn’t react, comment, or attend, it is in all likelihood that I have missed notification altogether, but please know I’m cheering you on from wherever I am!

   While I can’t be everywhere at once—online and in person—I’ve learned to value the balance. I trust that you know my absence means I’m unplugged, not uninterested; I simply missed the notification, not the chance to celebrate you in spirit. I may not always catch every moment, but I’m always rooting for you, and I’m grateful for the joy we share whenever our paths do cross.    

   After all, life’s best moments often happen off-screen, and I’m excited to keep finding them—both with you and for myself.