It is not often that I read a book whose message not only sticks with me, but changes how I live my daily life! Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford is such a book.
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Rachel has been blogging at Hands Free Mama since 2010. Her blog grew out of a “breakdown-breakthrough” realization that she had become so buried by distractions that she could not experience life’s moments that really matter.
From Rachel’s blog chronicling her ups and downs on her journey towards a less distracted life has emerged this book. What is particularly striking about Rachel’s wisdom about a Hands Free life is a frank acknowledgment of the role that technology plays in multiplying the distractions in life if not carefully managed.
What this book is NOT is a pollyanna plan to eliminate all the technology and activities in life to live a distraction free existence. Rachel is very realistic about our modern world and that technology and planned activity can be beneficial part of living when done with balance.
How This Book is Changing Me, And Just May Change You!
It has made me truly look at what has been distracting me from what is most important to me-my family. I know that since I began actively blogging in early 2013 in addition to working part-time, much of my time has been spent with my face in a gadget. In fact as any blogger knows, you could spend every hour of the day working on blogging tasks and still not get everything done. What has suffered from my every increasing time being plugged in is undistributed time with family. Yes, we may be in the same room, while I work on the Ipad, but this time is certainly not distraction free.
These days I am making a much more concerted effort to work on the blog for specific periods of time and dedicate some time each day to solely focusing on my family without distraction. No, this is not hours and hours at a time, but at least some quality time each day.
It has served as a wonderful reminder to live in the today. Funny how when the distractions of the present are lessened, I am better able to focus on what is going on around me right now and enjoying what I have right now. Not years down the road.
I am so glad I came upon Hands Free Mama: A Guide to Putting Down the Phone, Burning the To-Do List, and Letting Go of Perfection to Grasp What Really Matters!
I need to work on this too… blogging has been taking over my family time.
I have heard about this book and it sounds great! I too work part-time and am trying to blog. It is so difficult to find the balance between family and other. I know blogging could take up much more time than I have to give it, and sometimes I think I am out of balance. But, as I try to spend time with my family and my children, I realize how important that is. Thanks for a great post and I will be checking out that book.
Great post! Thanks for sharing with the Merry Monday LInky Party!