Permission to pause.
From an intentional social media break to a forced disconnect in nature, there's magic in the pause.
Heads up: đŤđâď¸ Thereâs no August banana mapping workshop the first Sunday of the month as Iâll be in transit (and itâs very French of me to take the month off đ). Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 7th at 7pm CET/Paris for the next session. Hope to see you there!
Recently I had an exchange with a friend about social media breaks. She was wondering if she should announce that she was taking one when a friend of hers said, âWhy would you do that? You hardly post anyway.â
I get that, but I also had a different response. More often than not when Iâm not posting I am scrolling, and itâs not a healthy relationship. I choose to announce my social media breaks and post (and update my profile) that Iâm taking one for a few reasons.
First, itâs part of my own accountability. Inevitably, before I take one Iâm getting one last hit of scrolling until I sign off and instantly feel relief. Second, I like to normalize to others that itâs OK to step awayâothers can do it too and the world wonât end. We can acknowledge weâre addicted, and do something about it. Finally, in case any opportunities come along (or even my friends writing) I want people to know why Iâm not responding. (Although, I am skeptical that people read or see much these days.)
I always start smallâone weekâbut my latest extended to nearly four! It shows the power of starting small, and allowing shifts to grow organically. I wasnât ready to come back, but I did have things worth sharing.
Small moments, like going to the gym and seeing everyone glued to their screens, act as mirrors. They remind me: this isnât the world I want to live in. I choose to opt out of it.
Pressing pause is an intentional, and increasingly radical act. Action is how we OVERRIDE!
The other day I was waiting for a boat ride on the Seine. While waiting I enjoyed the view rather than the view of my screen. It was a micro moment of remembering presence and what it feels like to be in the moment. Weâre so in autopilot these days, it feels like a silly example to share, but at the same time I wonder when the last time you felt you were present instead of defaulting to your phone?
Whatâs been most amazing is the flow Iâve had recently. It seriously took me four weeks, but learning to wean myself off my phone has given me space and time to think, and find the clarity for a couple writing projects to click into place. As I say in OVERRIDE! somethings things take the time they take, but I canât help but believe that creating intentional space makes all the difference. Patience is also a key ingredient we often forget in this world of instant gratification.
It wasnât really intended to be like this, but just as Iâm getting back to finding a better relationship with my phone, Iâm getting ready for a full, forced disconnect. Itâs not only that the family cabin doesnât have electricity (we also hand pump water and thereâs an outhouse) but in the past, my phone has never had a signal in the region. This time Iâm staying longer than usual. I think it will be an interesting experiment.
Many of you are fortunate to have yards and trees and greenery around you in your everyday. Yes, I live in Paris, and itâs gorgeous, but itâs not exactly known for being a capital of nature. I also happen to live in the neighborhood with the least amount of green space.
I write about forest bathing in OVERRIDE! and Iâm very much looking forward to the therapeutic effects of nature and my total disconnect.
PONDER: Is there anything you want to disconnect from in the week to come? It can be a small experiment and low stakes. See what happensâŚ
A few chapters from OVERRIDE! What if there was another way? A pocket playbook for possibility you may want to revisit if this post resonated with you:
Press pause. (page 159)
Head to nature. (page 154)
Go for a wander. (page 152)
Dance with discomfort. (page 61)
Dopamine of instant gratification. (page 88)
P.S. If youâre looking for some added support navigating change, transition, or stepping into your next chapter, Mapping Your Path is for you! The next 3-mo workshop + communityâ Mapping Your Path into 2026âwill help you wrap up 2025 with intention and step into the new year on your own terms Youâll get creative tools, space to reflect, and the support of an incredible global community. Doors open in Septemberâ sign up to be the first to know!
Enjoy your time in the forest! This article is giving me the nudge to ponder where and how I can take a break. Thank you đ