Detox your life
I recently went through an unanticipated and unexpected ‘life detox’. And boy was I not prepared. . . It was frustrating, annoying and actually really hard.
Usually when you try separating yourself from some of life’s stressors it’s voluntary, over a short time frame, and rewarding. Well. . . My detox is a 100% self imposed, yet I did not think about the consequences of my decisions. Maybe that’s why life is providing them. Because I frequently ‘jump’ from one life path to the next. So now I’m sitting here in the woods, no cell reception or WiFi available, trying to study for boards while staying sane and healing my broken soul.
So I’m on a Life Detox. Only I’m struggling with it. So naturally when I can’t, or don’t get what I want I’m frustrated. Just like many people are. Here’s what happened to me:
I recently came home to provide help to my ailing grandparent while on study leave from work. I get a ‘free’ place to study while I check in on my grandparent and some other things. I knew I would need to hook up internet and that in the past my cell reception hasn’t been what others experience. But I foraged ahead. I packed up my home, putting 95% of my belongings in storage. I drove across country and wham! Life’s reality hits.
Initially I was irritated. I mean, I ‘need’ the internet to study. And while I partially do. I also need it to detox from studying to be more productive. But so far that’s not happening.
So when you can’t beat them, join them. Today I am trying a different approach to life. I did not realize just how much my life was run by internet access and technology. I guess no one truly does until your go to items are unavailable and the mocking banner of “hmm you’re not connected to the internet” flashes as I once again lost data before completing whatever important or unimportant things I was working on.
Alas I’m forced to life detox. I’m forced to take a hard look at my life. Evaluate it and basically write out a plan for recovery. I’m fully aware that the lack of internet access is not the end of the world. But the involuntary detox from my life is not going too well. And some people do this for fun? Yikes.
Oh wait, y’all are here to detox life. Not listen to me whine. So let’s detox! 🤪
7 steps to detox your life:
1. Schedule time to be away from it all
I say this because ideally I would be able to access my online class this summer. So obviously if you have obligations to your life, don’t turn off and reboot then! Or maybe that’s what you need to do?
But to make it most affective, make sure that the detox is a priority. So in the planner it goes with the other important aspects of life.
2. Turn off life
This means the cell phone, iPad, tablet, computer and allllll the other means to avoid being ‘present’ in life get turned off and placed in a safe place for the designated amount of time. Don’t worry. Your batteries will for sure be where you let them when you get back. If you don’t believe me at first, plug them in and place them in the drawer below. You need these items out of sight for this to go smoothly.
Beyond the electronics, turn off whatever is going to keep you from detoxifying you today. If I’m being honest I have not been present for a while. And maybe you haven’t been either.
Sure I went through life’s motions. I showed up for work. Did what I needed to for the day. But I wasn’t really living. So now my life put me in mandatory detox. ‘Fix yourself Natalie’ it says.
So I am. I currently live in a cabin in the woods. I have electricity, water, and a safe place to reside. I study most of the day, or at least try to. I walk my dog, try to exercise, eat from home. And I visit my granddad.
Being ‘home’ has allowed me to realize that I have been more stuck and broken than I actually realized. (See my last post on letting go) I prefer to try to understand the reason why things are happening. I don’t always get to understand…. those life lessons are hard and harder to accept. I usually just get mad. And believe me. I’m going on week two without internet access. I can’t even get my Mac to connect to the public WiFi. 🤯 It’s like week 3 of no WiFi when you count the road trip, and last week. We’re starting week threeeeee. Gulp.
3. Simplify life
When it comes down to it. Life is simple. People make it complicated. If you’re hungry, eat. If you want to walk outside, do it. If you want to work through some internal issues, nows the time for it.
When was the last them you took time to watch the sunrise? Sunset? How about wildlife going about their business? In the past week we wake up at sunrise – that’s Hazel for ya. She can’t wait for breakfast. 😋 Once the food is gone I take her out to do her business. We frequently encounter a doe, buck, or fawns feeding. And we routinely scare off the birds.
4. Drink your water
Part of detoxifying your life also means cleansing the body, mind, and soul. The simple start of this is water. We filter out the toxins within our own body by dilution. So drink up. Plenty of people do not achieve their daily basic water requirements. Mix that with wanting to detoxify your life… and you definitely need more. So BOTTOMS UP!
5. Meditate
Meditation is a great way to silence your mind and detoxify your mind, body and soul. While it may take time, meditation is definitely an important part of life. I always remember the scene from Eat.Pray.Love where Julia Roberts is in the meditation room and literally cannot seem to quiet her mind. I have definitely been there, done that.
But if you can hone in on the craft of meditation then you will definitely do better on the path of detoxification. Even if you meditate for only 5-10 minutes a day.
6. Eat Well
A nutritious and well balanced diet is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Detoxing your life isn’t just about taking away the stimulus that electronics have on our lives. It’s also about detoxifying your mind, body, and soul.
Starting each day off on the right foot helps to maintain a healthy life and a positive lifestyle.
7. Prioritize health
Once you turn back on your devices and return to life, don’t turn off the progress you made during your detox day. Plenty of aspects of detox day can stick with you throughout the day, week, and month.
While it’s a good idea to use a detox day regularly, no one expects you to live like that every day.
Happy Detoxing!
Nattie