I grew up in the 90s, where the TV was our biggest distraction, but only when there was something on we actually wanted to watch. If my friends wanted to talk to me, they had to call my parents. We played outside until it was dark. We played board games, listened to music or played with toys in our rooms and read books. I juggled the soccer ball endlessly and learned how to spin a basketball on my finger like the Harlem Globetrotters. I had two working parents, but there was family who were able to help get us to and from activities or watch us when my sister or I got sick.

We lived in a world that existed with what the news brought to our homes and what was in front of us. We dreamed of being movie stars or professional athletes, but knew realistically we would become teachers, business leaders, doctors, electricians or work at the local Walmart.

The internet is a great place to find information, inspiration and a way to share our ideas with the world or with our friends. When it first came out, it was mostly used to print MapQuest directions, do some online shopping and talk to our friends. You could see what your friends were doing (or feeling) based on their AIM ‘away’ message. My childhood sits tucked away in picture albums or scrapbooks – it doesn’t live on the internet.

As a parent of children who will grow up immersed in a digital world, I struggle with how to juggle it all. We are bombarded in a fire hose setting with information of ALL THINGS.

We see what everyone is doing all of the time, in real time.

We see the vacations.
The sports teams.
The summer camps.
The sourdough bread.
The workouts.
The books read in a year.
The PTA president.
The date nights.
The girls nights.
The career advancements.
The concerts.
The babies born. The babies lost.
The weddings & engagements.
The very public divorces.
The death of loved ones.
The hiking.
The skiing.
The beach days.
The family dinners.
The coffee dates.
The fucking news.
Everyone’s political opinion.
Ads. Ads. And more Ads.

While with our closest friends, we want to know all of this. This is honestly the good stuff. What our kids are involved in, what is going on in our lives, what vacations we have planned, how to see each other more and what hobbies are lighting our world up at any given moment.

Yet, our brains are doing more than that. They know everything about EVERYONE. People who live near and far. People you’ve met, but maybe aren’t close with. People you’ve never met. Famous people. On every app. We follow them all.

Therefore our brains start to believe that because we are seeing it that we should be doing it.

We all have 24 hours, but we all have different ways in which we fill it.

Can we take my 24 hours and your 24 hours and your neighbors 24 hours and your friends sister-in-laws 24 hours and your parents 24 hours and that one girl you used to work with 24 hours and still have the same 24 hours?

The point is, we can’t actually do it all. The digital world we live in can be informative, can be motivational and help us to stay connected. But I also find it can be overwhelming, make us feel like we’re not doing enough and leave us feeling more alone than ever.

We have access to a digital world, but we have to remember to not live in it.

If the news is overwhelming, go for a walk. If you can’t bake sourdough bread, it’s okay, you can buy it! If you couldn’t sign your kid up for this really cool activity, don’t forget the four other ones they still get to do. If you sent money to your school because you can’t leave work to volunteer, don’t forget that those supplies are fueling all the fun. It still counts. Buying books is expensive – spend time at your local library. European vacation out of budget? Your kids will love driving an hour away, ordering room service and swimming in the hotel pool.

Stay in your lane.
Cheer on your neighbors.
Unfollow accounts that don’t align with your goals.
Make real life plans.
Play outside.

Oh, and share what you’re making for dinner. They forgot to tell us that it’s Death. Taxes. & WHAT ARE WE MAKING FOR DINNER!?

You’ve got this.

Thanks for stopping in! Let’s stay connected and see the world together!