Unplug For Love

One of the many fun things that take place in the Instagram world is monthly photo challenges.  I like them because it is a fun way to get to know the people I am following and also to share a little snippet of my day.  I have done daily random photo challenges, artsy photo challenges, and fitness photo challenges.  Just a few days ago a fellow IG'er posted a new challenge, Unplug for Love.  It sounded interesting so I read the list of the daily photo ideas.  The photo challenge list for September gives daily ideas such as "Listen" and "Something Unexpected."  30 days worth of prompts on how to unplug for that day.  It sounds silly, doesn't it?  Using a photo app to take a picture of yourself NOT using your electronic device?  So I headed over to http://aedriel.blogspot.com/ to find  out a little more.
It turns out that I am not the only one that feels like my family and I are spending too much time with our iPhones and iPods.  For several months now I have had the grand notion that on Sundays JF, the boys and I would turn our devices off and spend the entire day doing family activities.  You know, like baking muffins and making candles :)  That has yet to happen.  But after reading the original Unplug for Love post I became re-inspired.
Even though the challenge does not officially start until September 1st, on Tuesday I decided to give this whole unplugging thing a try.  I had just picked up Levi from school and we were home.  This is typically the time of day where I jump on the computer or my phone and he watches a movie or plays on the iPod. Sounds like a wonderfully disconnected time, huh?  Levi turned on the TV and "Arthur" was on.  He knows that I love Arthur so he came to tell me and asked if I would watch with him.  Being completely honest here, I would normally tell him to go watch by himself while I continue to blog or check emails or enter calories into MyFitnessPal.  But this day I pressed the pause button.  I placed my phone down and told Levi that he got me all to himself.  That I was putting my phone down and spending time with him.  He snuggled up with me and we watched Arthur.  I held his tiny hand and smelled his little-boy sweaty head.  Lots of cheek kisses and squeezes, too.  In all it was maybe a ten minute moment before Ezra's bus came and we began our evening routine, but it was ten precious minutes with my 4 year old boy on his last first day of preschool ever.  It was beautiful.
So I am sharing the Unplug for Love movement and asking you to give it a try.  You don't have to be on Instagram to do it.  You can share on twitter (#unplugforlove) or Facebook.  Or don't share at all!  Just use the list as a guide to help you step back each day and enjoy the little moments.

I would love to hear how you unplug.  If you are an Instagrammer make sure to follow @aedriel and to tag #unplugforlove.  For my readers I would also love it if you tag me in the photo as well (@sallylouwho)

Have a beautiful Friday!