There is an endless supply of fun and amusement these days, mainly thanks to the internet. And because of that it is really easy to fill up every ounce of your day with some sort of stimulant. From social media to Netflix you don’t have to go a moment without entertainment.

And this isn’t me saying you need to be some tech-free hermit. No, no. The internet is this amazing thing. Technology is incredible.

But the point I want to make today is to make sure you are giving yourself moments of not being stimulated.

We’re all guilty of this.

Avoid that urge to click your phone on in uncomfortable situations.

Looking at our phone to avoid making eye contact with someone on the sidewalk.

Getting on Instagram instead of just sitting alone somewhere.

Clicking on a podcast, or music instead of just being with your thoughts.

And it’s habit isn’t it? We do all this without even noticing we’re doing it.

I’m just as guilty as the next person. But I’ve had a few moments recently of not filling that void, and it has been magical.

Just this weekend I was driving us back from hanging out with family for Memorial Day weekend, and instead of listening to the radio or a podcast while I drove (and Michael slept) I just sat there in pure, delicious silence.

Michael kept waking up to ask if I wanted him to put something on, and each time I said no.

Another instance was when I was painting the trim on the outside of a house. The first day of the job I listened to a number of podcasts. I thoroughly enjoyed them because I never think to listen to podcasts.

But the next day I didn’t listen to any podcasts, and just kind of worked with nothing but my own thoughts. And it was actually quite amazing.

It has been quite some time since I’ve had to do a pretty mindless task and not had some sort of entertainment happening in at least the background. TV, music, a YouTube video.

To be alone with yourself for hours on end.

Because I found so much joy in those moments I have made it a point to not fill up space with unnecessary entertainment 24/7.

For me this includes things like:

+ sitting down and eating my food without watching YouTube

+ continuing to drive in quiet

+ working without distractions going on in the background

+ staying off my phone when I’m with others

+ walking down the street without pulling out my phone to make me feel more comfortable (sometimes I’ll even smile, and say hello to people)

What ways do you find time to just be alone with yourself, your thoughts or even just when you’re with other people?

I challenge you to find those moments, and make more of them.