I’ve been on a bit of an Audible and podcast kick lately.  While I love music and have spent a small fortune on my own personal iTunes library, I think I just needed a change of pace considering how much I drive each day.

One of the Audible books that I’ve recently listened to (and loved) is “Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls and Everything in Between” by the wonderful Lauren Graham.

Overall, this book was a quick experience. The total Audible book was around 4 hours, unlike this behemoth which was 14 hours and TOTALLY WORTH IT.  Lauren Graham explains this “character” that she references when she’s giving sage advice.  “Old Lady Jackson” wouldn’t accept a booty call. “Old Lady Jackson” wouldn’t get that tattoo. “Old Lady Jackson” would put the phone down and live in the moment.  I loved listening to Miss Graham’s voice as she read her words about dear “Old Lady Jackson.”

I get it.  Our phones have become an extension of ourselves, and goodness knows, I’m one of the world’s worst offenders. However, ever since I heard “Old Lady Jackson” explain that living in the moment instead of having your phone out for documentation is so much more rewarding, I’ve tried to put.down.my.phone.

For the most part, I’ve been far more successful than I imagined I would be.  Not to say that I’m still not somewhat obnoxious with my incessant scrolls of Facebook and Instagram, but I have been able to purposefully ignore the dings, as well as purposefully silence, and purposefully power off my phone.  It’s been marvelous.  It’s allowed me to focus on things that matter to me — whether it’s conversations with others, reading a good book, or just dancing while I clean my little space.  For instance, just last night I had about 10 missed texts and I knew I missed them and I purposefully DID NOT ANSWER because I needed “me” time. I wanted to cook, do my laundry, research Chicago (going in March), and enjoy silence.

I’m hoping to continue this little adventure of not feeling so obligated to every ding of the iPhone.  I’m hoping to look up and observe the beauty that is the everyday. I hoping to make “Old Lady Jackson” proud.