Unplugged
by habituallychic
03 . 02 . 12
When I spoke on the panel at the Americas Mart in Atlanta in January, I was asked what trends I was seeing online. I answered that I was noticing that more and more people were taking time to unplug. I definitely saw some people roll their eyes and scoff at my observation. Last night at dinner, my friends mentioned being overwhelmed by the internet and too much information and that they have been trying to cut back. Then this morning, I read that Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere took an afternoon to shut off.
On Tuesday, I took a time out to enjoy the sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures and walk to Central Park. Sometimes I forget that people dream of living in New York and maybe I shouldn’t take this great city for granted. I used to make time for exploring and plan to start doing this again and documenting my adventures. These are just a few photos of this particular jaunt uptown. I hope they remind you to get out and smell the roses, and daffodils, this weekend.
Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic
18 Comments
i totally have to unplug – just got back from a week on mexican jungle and beaches: no phone, no computer, no blackberry, no anything…i don’t even wear a watch. important to do at least once a year – if not twice.
I so agree. I went for a long walk the other day, sat by the lake and enjoyed just being! It was like an hour of meditation or a message; seriously.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Everytime I visit New York, I become one of those dreamers all over agin! Beautiful pictures, the Cooper-Hewitt quote is great!
thanks…you might have saved some lives with this post…beautiful pictures.
I feel like I just took a little stroll around Manhattan. Thank you for the beautiful pics!
Beautiful pictures of New York! Although I do my blog for fun, definitely, unplugging is a must to keep the fun in blogging and in life! This Sunday, I am attending a Chanel Manicure and Make-up event at our Holt Renfrew Dept store here in Toronto. That will be a time with no computers, mobile phones or IPAD. It will be a time to relax, directly connect with people and somehow pamper myself!
I agree — no matter how pretty and entertaining the online world may be, it’s good to unplug and smell the (real) roses.
Heather, I think you are so right with the fact that people actually are unplugging. I recently wrote a post on that on my blog, or more about asking the readers to ask themselves if the blog or homepage does anything for them? If it (I in this case) continues to inspire them, go ahead and let it, if not, do not go there again, do not live someone elses life on the Internet, which is sadly too easy. Your NY blog inspires me and make me want to go to NY, that is why I am coming back.
No better place than NYC to unplug, Heather — there’s ALWAYS something to go explore or experience! I, too, am trying to unplug at least one day a week. It really does get to be too much, as wonderful as it can be (the internet, that is!).
Have a wonderful weekend!
Loved your unplugged look at NYC and am hoping to do a little this weekend (after cleaning the house, going through the kids old clothes, and maybe even tackling a closet) – why is it so hard for working women to not feel guilty when taking a moment?? Have a wonderful weekend, Cynthia
Hi Heather, I unplug every day. I stopped taking/using the laptop at the shop a few months ago. And I became so much more aware/appreciative of what transpires around me. As much as I love the internet (a little addiction going on there), the real world is infinitely broader and more beautiful. Thanks for the New York photos–I do still miss this great city. Mary
I think you are dead on with your observation that people are feeling the need to unplug. i did it last week and am planning to do it more. I don’t think our young people can continue at the pace they are being plugged up! Eventually there will be a syndrome caused by being to plugged in…wonder what it will be called?
Love the pics…Feel free to “unplug” on a regular basis…Reminds me of my visits to London…Just walking…and walking…through that marvelous city…8>)
Yes, you’re right. I find that I have to make an effort to put away all technology and just be. I am constantly on line looking at pretty things, what I really need is more time to get out and really experience these things.
I never thought I would say this, but I might have to give up things like Pinterest just to restore some balance.
great city shots. fresh.
Just came back from a cruise in the Bahamas, during which I totally unplugged : pure bliss !
Beautiful photos! Have you taken a course and if yes type and duration? Sentiments so true also – and photos a spectacular reflection. Thanks!
I made a committment to unplug from social media for Lent, and though it was (sadly) a shock to my system the first few days, I’m learning to replace the time I used to spend checking “updates” to doing other things like reading, going on walks, etc. It makes you realize how dependent society is becoming on all this stuff and it is very liberating to just let go of it all, even for an afternoon! Great post.