07.06 - ways i'm practicing living in the present

 hi friends!! life is currently really overwhelming for me and i'm sure a lot of u feel the same! it's so easy to get consumed in the work/school/sleep cycle and do literally nothing else. here's a list of some things i've been doing to live a more tech-free life when i can!

using physical media

i've been trying not to use spotify for music lately and instead listening to vinyl at home or CDs in the car! it gives me the opportunity to not skip songs as much and rediscover songs i haven't heard in a while!

i've also been big on going to the library. the public library is such an important resource wherever you are and a lot of the times they have so much cool stuff to offer other than books! at mine, i really like hanging out in the cafe and reading the books i just checked out, and they also have a huge crafting space where i go and use the sewing machines!

also taking pictures on something other than your phone! i've been buying drugstore fujifilm cameras lately so i can start making physical photo albums!

go outside!!!

this sounds cliche but it's so important. go on a walk or a hike, go swimming, or just sit at the park! a lot of the parks near me do a free concert series in the summer so see if that's something your city offers! i love going to check out the music even if it's not something i'm particularly in to. 

something else i recommend is live like you're a tourist in your own city! get out of your comfort zone and go to a few new places you've never been to, you might find something really cool!

third spaces

cannot stress enough about having cool places to hang out!! my roommate and i have been really into going to the mall lately not even to shop, just to look around, grab food at the food court and hang out! if you have school stuff/work to do, i highly recommend finding a coffee shop you like and sitting there! personally it makes me a lot more productive and gives me an excuse to get out of the house.

my friends and i also love going to local shows! normally the cover is pretty cheap, you get to maybe discover some new music you might like and hang out in some pretty cool venues! i've met so many awesome people this way too, everyone is usually pretty friendly!

screen-free hobbies

there's so much potential for creativity with this. i love journaling, making art and jewelry, sewing, crochet, and i'm currently saving up money for a guitar so i can start playing again! there are so many possibilities!!

thx for the read! this is not an exhaustive list whatsoever but this has been heavy on my mind lately as i try and disconnect just a bit from the busyness of life <3 

divider creds: haonian on tumblr