No Phone Zone

Chapter 2 - Not so Sexy Reading

Did you know the inventor of infinite scrolling, Aza Raskin, deeply regrets his creation?

I bought the brick for my social media addiction. It’s been a weird transition and now I feel like I’m lego block moving my brain around trying to figure out what fits where. What have I gotten into now that I have nothing to mindlessly look at for infinity in my bed at night before I fall asleep, you ask?

Well, I kind of wish this was more sexy like my last post (nothing sexier than foraging, amiright?)

I find myself… Reading! I’ve never been a big reader. It’s been 3 months and I’ve read… drum roll… 7.5 books (and 80% of my current book). Here is the list with a little blurb and maybe a thought.

1. The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding - intense mystery that wraps up neatly (maybe too neat, but worth the read)

2. My Friends by Fredrik Backman - probably my number one favorite book of all time now. My favorite author. I want to write songs like he writes books. The most clever, tender, tragic, funny, simple, complicated, beautiful BEAUTIFUL book. Literal laugh out loud moments and literal tears. Sometimes simultaneously. Go read it. Now.

3. Under the Dome by Stephen King - ugh I tried. I promise I really tried but couldn’t get through it. The bad guy got too bad for me.

4. The Wedding People by Alison Espach - good story about a lady that wants to die and ends up actually finding herself on the way to trying to end everything.

5. These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean - a dysfunctional family and a romance. Not my fave.

6. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi - this was a surprising number 2 favorite. It’s been a little secret treasure sitting on my nightstand for over a year. Meaningful, quirky, highlights the meaningfulness of small life moments, covert thoughtful moments of spirituality. I felt a deep fondness for the 86 year old mysterious main character. I’d say read this one.

7. Notes On Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach - now this one was a little uncomfortable. However, as a mental health therapist, I feel like a got an honest sliver into the acute world of grief from the perspective of the deceased’s sister.

8. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Really fast moving and captivating story. Not my fave.

9. What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown - currently reading. Will let you know.

Anyway, I’m not going to get on a soapbox but this IS my website so I’ll say - it’s worth it to step away from social media. If you do it, let me know and let’s talk about what you’re getting into!

Nerding Out

Chapter 2 - Feeling Like the Louvre

Recently, while driving to my hot pilates class (has there ever been a more millennial statement, I’m not sure), I was listening to a news segment on NPR about the great Louvre heist of 2025. As the reporter spoke on the devastating loss the Louvre suffered, I had an idea for a song.

In case you don’t know, in October 2025, four thieves disguised as construction workers stole over $100 million dollars worth of French Crown diamonds and jewels. At 9:35 am in BROAD DAYLIGHT! In 7 minutes!! They used a cherry picker lift to get inside, power tools to smash the cases, and high powered Yamaha scooters to escape.

Ok back to the song idea: I had been feeling a bit sad and empty and wasn’t totally sure why. In the past, I would have been really scared by this, but now that I’m a mental health therapist, I understand this is a very common thing to happen to humans. However, I still get surprised by my own uncomfortable and unexpected feelings. It’s like an emotional hijacking.

And then, as often happens in songwriting, the synergy of my sadness and the simultaneous radio news report tornadoe-d together to create this interesting thought: I get it, there are days when I feel like the Louvre. A hijack and an emptiness. Something precious and sparkly protected inside suddenly stolen. So I used it. The uneasy feelings. The wild story. Spoiler alert I haven’t finished the song and I’m not even sure that it’s that good (as also often happens), but the research was fascinating.

The other interesting fact that you might not have known was that the robbers DROPPED the Crown of Empress Eugénie, adorned with over 1,300 diamonds and emeralds. Can you imagine?? A sparkling crown just lying on the asphalt!! An item kept safely in a display case for years, now gathering French dust amongst French car exhaust. You really can write a song about anything!

No Phone Zone

Chapter 1 - I’m a Forager now, I guess

I bought the brick for my problematic symptoms of phone addiction, aka rotting, aka digital heroin. It is a relief to come up for air and breathe.

What kind of crazy sh*t did I get into because I suddenly had screenless time, you ask? Well, I became a forager (you can watch the video here). I have a black walnut tree and in this season, it’s fruit will fall off the tree, BANG on the roof, then roll off. One day I thought “We have this tree in our backyard that’s actually producing food, like REAL LIVE FOOD! I should figure out how to eat of the tree in my backyard!” So I researched black walnut trees and found so many good ole boys teaching me the ways. I just jumped in.

The one lesson I’ve learned that I’ll share is that any time, and I mean ANY TIME someone (especially my dad, no offense dad) says “This will be easy!” NEVER EVER EVER EVER believe them.

Turns out foraging is an insane amount of work. And it will dye your hands and face brown if it splatters. And I didn’t have the right drill. And it dyed the bottom of my crocs (plus my driveway) a hideous puke green. I had to buy a big trash can, an egg beater anvil, a Nut Wizard, mesh seafood baggies, and Grandpa’s Goody Getter.

My 9 year old neighbor, who loves to dress like a pilgrim and play ‘pilgrims’ with her mom and dad said “This is how the pilgrims did it” and I was like yeah, you right.

Once bagging them all up (after pressure washing then drying them completely for a few days) I have to wait 6 weeks. So now I’m waiting with green mesh bags of nuts hanging in my garage, checking on them occasionally and moving them around. I haven’t resorted to talking to them yet but don’t put it past me, I get attached way too easily these days. Which is why I got the brick.

Curious if any of yall are inspired to check out of socials and check into life outside socials? What does it look like for you?