A digital detox doesn’t mean you have to leave your phone somewhere for days on end. There are ways to digital detox while still using technology. My version of a digital detox anyone can do without going phoneless.

We usually feel like we need a detox because what we’re viewing online isn’t making us feel good or providing us with anything positive. So the detox really is quite simple. Go into all of your social accounts and unfollow anything that makes you feel bad about your self worth. And I mean all of them. Scroll through your feed and anything that makes you feel negatively towards yourself, unfollow.

Mute people on Facebook, unfollow Instagram accounts that make you feel less than, and clean out anything that doesn’t positively inspire you. Now this doesn’t mean you get rid of every opinion that you don’t agree with, but get rid of accounts that make you feel like you aren’t good enough. They aren’t doing you any favors.

Then head to the explore section on Instagram to discover things that inspire you. Follow creators, body positive accounts, and anything that brings you joy. Remove the toxic and add the positive.

If the unfollowing of accounts still doesn’t seem to curb the toxic feelings, try turning off all notifications to social apps. Turn off the banners, numbers in the corner of the app, and any sounds associated. You’ll find yourself much less attached to your phone if you don’t allow it to constantly get your attention.

If you just can’t seem to stop the scrolling but still want to try a digital detox, give this simple tip a try.

So this Christmas is pretty weird, I’ll give you that. But honestly I’m kind of happy about it. It’s the very first Christmas without my dad who unexpectedly died at 56 in January. It was going to be a very hard year to begin with and I take a weird sense of comfort knowing that it’s hard for everyone, just for another reason.

I’m sitting at our dining room table with my second chai latte of the day, our Christmas tree with no presents underneath it (we mailed them all out earlier this month), and no snow outside. I cannot remember a Christmas in Michigan that hasn’t had snow before or around the 25th. It’s a weird one for sure.

It’s not always going to be like this. Or maybe it is. Despite my best efforts I haven’t developed superhero powers this year to tell the future. I’ll keep checking to see if they’ve kicked in, but in the meantime we’ll all just have to see where this life takes us. Yet this is the set of cards we’ve been dealt and all we can do is try to make the best of it, whatever that may look like.

So Merry COVID Christmas you guys. May your holiday be filled with delicious cookies, Christmas songs on repeat, and no family drama (because it’s not like you can see them in person anyway and you could always just mute them on the video call). We’re all going to be ok. I just know it.

This girl’s got plants. Like a lot of them. Over 50 and counting are plopped throughout my house in all different shapes and species. I get asked tons of questions about how I keep them alive and remember to water them. With all this time we’re spending at home lately, I’m super glad you’re considering becoming a plant person. I promise it’s a whole lot easier than you think.

First off, you don’t need a jungle of plants. One or two plants starting out is just fine to get used to caring for plants. I also suggest picking super easy to grow options like peace lilies and ferns. Devil’s ivy is also a super easy plant to grow and take care of.

Quite simply, put your plant near a window (any window starting out will do, just get it light) and set yourself a phone reminder to water the plant once a week. I usually water on Sundays in the morning while I’m tidying up the house. If you find that the soil is still wet when you go to water, change your phone alarm to eight or nine days. Let the soil dry before watering.

When you purchase a new plant, repot it into another, larger pot that has drainage. If the pot doesn’t have holes in the bottom, add some rocks and sand to the bottom before adding soil so the excess water has somewhere to go.

Above all, check on your plants. Put them in a place that you will see them regularly. Near where you get ready in the morning, by your sink, etc. A plant you see is a plant that has a better chance to live.

You may still kill a few plants. It happens to me a few times a year. There are some plants that just won’t like you or your home’s growing conditions. Don’t take it too harshly and keep trying. There is definitely a plant out there for you. Trust me.

It’s safe to say 2020 is one of the worst years in recent history. We still have running water and air conditioning so I can’t honestly say it’s the worst, but I’m sure you get the idea. Yet in an effort to find the silver lining and be more positive, there are quite a few things I’m thankful for in 2020. So let’s push the negativity aside (for a little bit at least) and reflect on the good things that 2020 has brought.

2020 has been an amazing year to slow down and spend more time on leisure activities. I’ve picked up crafting again and love being able to work with my hands on projects. I’ve made wooden cacti and started on building a miniature greenhouse that reminds me deeply of my father’s models he used to make. I wish I would have discovered these models while he was alive, but it’s nice to have the time to feel like I’m spending it with him.

There has been so much nature this year. Nature walks, gardening, composting, and outdoor adventures. I’ve even taken up bird watching, or birding as us “in the know” call it. If 2020 wants us to slow down, then let’s make the most of it, huh? It’s all about changing the frame of mind to be more positive and look on the bright side. There is still a lot that 2020 has to offer.

My marriage with Alex is stronger than ever this year and I’m beyond thankful for the time we’ve gotten to spend together. I’ve spent more time with family and cherish the time I get to spend with friends at a distance. Every moment or event has so much more meaning now that they’re few and far between. 

It’s all about perspective. It’s easy to look at all of the negatives this year and sure there are plenty, but there’s also quite a lot of great things that happen in the quiet moments at home. More cat cuddles, more baking, more blow-up-mattress-in- the-basement movie nights. And I’m not mad about it.