to unplug or not to unplug… that is the question // episode #7

i can hardly believe how quickly the days are passing. it feels like we just did a podcast + now it is time for another one! but, i am not complaining at all. i could record podcasts with my love all of the time. every day. it is just that much fun. and i hope you’re as excited to listen as we were to record!

so, this week lina + i really enjoyed our conversation. it was inspired by someone else and it got us thinking all about how we balance our life. what do we spend our time doing? and is it effective? does it make us better people? and are we enjoying what we do? should we change anything?

all of those questions are in this week’s conversation, but they are woven throughout our stories and talked about in totally different ways than i wrote here.

so, carve out a bit of time and join us as we discuss the challenges of living a balanced life – and how we believe that it’s possible to stay connected + be off the grid all at the same time.

podcast liz + lina

// How to listen

You can find the podcast by going to iTunes and searching for liz+lina in Podcasts. We’re also on Acast + Overcast. Also as liz+lina.*

Or you can just click on one of the links below. Easy, right?! As always, if you have any questions or requests, please be sure to let us know! Or ideas for upcoming episodes = something you’d like to hear us talk about.

→ iTunes

→ Acast (if you search for our podcast, just type in “liz” and it’ll pop up. but, you don’t have to search, just click on the link!)

Overcast

And finally, you can also just listen right here if you’d like. ↓ ↓ ↓

Happy listening + Happy Weekend!

xoxo. liz.


a little note about soundcloud: we are in the process of figuring out how we are going to post more podcasts on soundcloud. we’re already used up our slotted minutes, so it looks like it’s down to buying a pro account. we will get back to you as soon as possible. until then, there’s always iTunes, Acast, and our websites!

10 thoughts on “to unplug or not to unplug… that is the question // episode #7

  1. Everyfriday, I wait you to say “Hey guys!” You two sound so joyfull greeting your listeners, and my mouth curles into a smile. Thank you :).

    1. Awwww… we love that you love it!! We truly think of you when we talk with each other – and now I will think of you even more when I say ” Hey guys!”. It makes me smile so much that you enjoy listening. love + miss you, my friend! xo

  2. I don’t know why I’m not getting notifications anymore if you respond to my comments, Liz. I do check in occasionally to see if you’ve commented.
    I just listened to your and Lina’s latest podcast. As for what I need in regards to being off the grid. For me, I’m home a lot and online friendships keeps me socializing. Sometimes I do take a lighter break from social media. Sometimes I overwhelm myself and become depressed by it. I too could get a lot more done if I didn’t spend as much time on social media. i don’t know about unplugging completely though. I do other things online that help my daily life such as getting decorating ideas, ways to ease boredom, free online classes, journaling, etc. Those things don’t keep me locked online like social media does. I really DO want to go spend more time in nature, just me and my camera. I love it when you post photos. it gives me a little piece of Sweden since I can’t afford to visit. 🙂

    1. Oh no! That is so frustrating! I am sorry that it’s not working for you. A star as I know, there is nothing that I can do to change or tweet anything. :/

      It’s so true that being online can give us so much – I know it does much for me. And it is a very personal choice as to how much and how often and why we stay plugged in. As I said to Meghan in my reply, it is really about being aware and mindful and constantly checking in with myself by honestly asking myself what I really want right now in life, and how I am working toward that. So, some days I feel like I need to step away and some days I feel that the internet is exactly what I need. It’s all up to me to decide. 🙂

      I’d love to see photos that you took, of whatever, someday. How is it going with your blog? Do post there? Would you want to post some pics there? I’d love to see them! 🙂

      1. I found the problem. I was trying to subscribe using a different address than the one I was posting on here.

        I haven’t gone out much yet. I am often drawing a blank on what to photograph. You and many other people who love photography take pics of things that I would have never thought to take pics of. They always look great too! I think I’ve lost my touch. I used to take a lot of pics when I was younger. Also, I don’t get out too much, but I think I’ll go to Carrier Park soon and take some.

        I haven’t worked at all on my blog. I’m drawing a blank on what to write about that could be even remotely interesting. Maybe what I think isn’t that interesting would be interesting to other people. 😉 I’ll certainly show pics when I get some good ones. I have some I took quite some time ago that turned out well.

        1. You know, for me, I got better at photography + learned a lot about it just by doing it. I have no formal education. So, if it’s something that you want to do, then just do it. even just take shots at home. When it comes to any kind of art, or even blogging, in my opinion, it’s all about doing what you want. It’s not about trying to impress, satisfy, complete or even create something for someone else. When it comes to art, it’s all about yourself. And, when art is created from the soul, then it speaks to others. So, just do what you want, when you want. Just be you.

          I am so glad you figured out the subscription problem! 🙂

          Have a happy Sunday. xx

          1. Great advice! I sometimes forget that blogging should be for myself. I need to overcome what will readers think, that is when I get readers!

            Happy Sunday to you too! x

  3. This podcast episode was amazing. I think this conversation about social media use and unplugging is really an important one to have, particularly the way y’all have framed it as it being about connection – to others and to yourselves. I am totally in agreement with you that stepping away from the constant connection on social media can be an essential way to refocus on how you want to spend your time and to refocus on your intent (which is my word of 2016!). As you mentioned, its about taking the time and prioritizing the things you need to be doing in your life, especially for you so that you actions in the world are grounded in, and are an expression of, your true self. I also think taking time for yourself, by yourself, is fundamental because it is regenerative, particularly for those of us who are introverts. Disconnecting a bit shifts us into being more present in the world that is actually around us as well, and connects/syncs our inner realities with the external realities if you know what I mean.

    I do believe that social media and electronic forms of communication can be wonderful and nourishing because it can be real human connection but that overuse – or at certain points in our life *any* use – can be a distraction and a way to avoid dealing with things. It can be a escape from the reality of the way your life actually is. I love how y’all clarified and sat with this idea about “getting away” as turning inward and not as an avoidance; your examination of this distinction is something people don’t usually do when thinking about the idea of “unplugging.” Also, the phrase ‘listen to myself’ is kind of my guiding philosophy and I love that you talked about that connection with your true self and what you really want to do (and thus how you spend your time).

    Finally, your summary of how unplugging can be a way to rebalance so that you can continue being present in your external reality (meaning life which is around you) without sacrificing the connection with your deeper self is a critical way to view it I think. I think if we all don’t continue to examine what we need and what is serving us or not we risk pushing ourselves to the point where we’ll need that big escape, that total withdrawal. However, while this disconnecting completely as a way to remove yourself from external reality isn’t ideal (because we have to integrate ourselves into life) I personally believe, and totally 100% support, when people feel compelled to do this. I think it’s one of the most courageous actions a person can take because facing what you need and sitting with yourself without distraction is really fucking hard. On a personal note, walking away from the life I had was the single best thing I have ever done for myself and I have no problem promising myself that I will continue to take whatever action I need in order to maintain that connection with my deep self, my soul, but I strive to remain present in my world while being in communication with myself, just as y’all do.

    So yeah, this was a totally amazing discussion, ladies. Thank you for putting this out there. xoxo

    1. Oh, Meghan, I just love how you engage with us! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and personal experiences with balancing that balanced way of living. It is so true, that we must find a way to listen to ourselves and figure out what works best for us individually, which may look similar to someone else; but it may also look completely different. Finding the courage to put into action the act of just being, of unplugging in the way I need to unplug, that is what I have been struggling and working on trying to do for so many years. And, what a sense of freedom it is to finally give myself the permission I need to be as unplugged or plugged in as I need to be. The key, as you say, it to stay mindful and aware… because what we need now may not be what we need in one week. But it may also be what we need for the next two years. For me, that checking in with myself is absolutely critical.

      Thanks for listening my dear friend. xoxo

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