It's okay to stare (and other things I've learned from getting OFF my phone)

I spend way too much time on my phone. And it's a problem. So, I decided to cut back – limiting myself to checking my email, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to before I left for work in the morning and once in the evening. This endeavor was not to limit responding to emails or posting on social media, but to keep myself from scrolling mindlessly (you know what I'm talking about). Here's what I've learned after a little over two weeks:

It's okay to stare. // Instead of being engrossed in my phone, I actually looked around. And I noticed so many things that I would have missed otherwise – like how many shades of green there are this spring, the guy that held the tram door for that girl making a run for it in heels, the flowers blooming through the crack in our building's doorstep, and the pure joy radiating from a street musician jamming on the saxophone.

Thinking is rad. // And I think way more when I'm not constantly on my phone. I'm thinking in line at the grocery store and on my walk home. During lunch and before I get out of bed in the morning. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through emails or social media, I actually ponder and question things. And it makes me feel more human.

I'm happier. // But seriously. Social media encourages comparison – and I was doing just that without even knowing it. Well, the reality is that I have so many things to celebrate in my life daily. And there's a lot more celebrating those things these days rather than focusing on what's going on with everyone else.

Peace at last. // My mind isn't distracted by noise. You know, the kind that doesn't make sound but clouds your mind anyway. Collecting my thoughts, focusing on a conversation, and simply being still is more natural and peaceful. I'm less distracted and more present.

It gets easier. // Making the decision to put my phone down was easy but implementing it was not. It's a matter of breaking habits and getting used to a world where I'm not absorbing EVERYONE'S thoughts – but creating them for myself.

Want to get off your phone too? Commit to two weeks of using it less – whether it's not checking it before you go to bed, while you're in the bathroom (you know you do it), standing in line at the grocery store, or first thing in the morning. After those two weeks are over, reflect on how you started using your time. You won't be disappointed – I promise.

treasures // ladies of the mountains

I collect rocks. But every one is so much more than a token to remind me of a trip (read free souvenir) and something pretty to look at – it's a memory.

The biggest one? It reminds me of an afternoon sipping espresso in Rome's piazzas with my love. That red one? I picked it up as my dad an I enjoyed a celebratory cigar together after summiting a mountain in British Columbia. The triangle shaped rock at the bottom? David slipped it into his pocket while we took in the view at the edge of a 2,244 foot cliff. And that round one on the left? That one is from Haiti's Kaliko Beach. The place where David and I sat until early morning talking about the injustice we witnessed, the night we put things into perspective.

I collect rocks to remember great adventures by. And one day I hope that there will be too many to count.

See what my fellow mountain ladies are collecting over here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Friends on the roof

We sipped wine through the golden hour. And laughed late into the night. 

Cheese and fruit were savored. Along with chips and salsa.

And chocolate, of course.
There was good music. There was champagne.

We celebrated. Nothing in particular.

Just living. Being. Adventure.
The good things in life.
City lights twinkled and we even spotted a few stars.

I love this roof terrace of ours.

The coolest brewery around...

Few things are better than good beer and a pretzel bigger than my face. Which is why David, a friend, and I road tripped ALLLL the way to Germany for both of those things – there was also pork knuckle with sauerkraut, which can't be ignored for obvious reasons. We made our way to a brewery tucked inside a monastery. The monks have been brewing beer there since 1455, and the whole thing is just as cool as it sounds. We spent the afternoon eating and drinking. There was a little bit of exploring the hilltop town. And the day ended with a pretzel to share and just one more beer. Of course.

i love you

video by Mason Beckman

more than yesterday. less than tomorrow.

happy anniversary, my sweet.