Fell behind on blogging again last week while in Yosemite.

It’s my favorite national park and I haven’t been since I moved to San Diego. I was so happy to be back in my “home” park of shady trees, alpine air, and gorgeous bodies of running water.

A handful of the national parks I’ve been in this summer haven’t had cell phone service. Traveling solo makes it a bit unnerving and very uncomfortable at first. What if an emergency happens? What if I need to contact someone or someone is trying to contact me? But as I settle back into myself and find my center again, I re-realize that it doesn’t truly matter. It is okay to be disconnected from the world. It is actually a refreshing change to be disconnected from the rest of the world.

When I do find pockets of signal, I’m sure to let my family know that I’m safe and sound. Otherwise, I enjoy the solitude. It’s always funny to hear my phone pinging with notifications as I make my way down the mountain drive to head back home. But while I’m out in the wilderness, I am acutely aware of how much of a habit it has become to always be on my phone. It’s amazing how much my hand just goes to my phone in moments of stillness! But when there’s no signal, you’re quickly reminded that you can live without your phone, without social media, without checking email several times a day.

Yosemite had signal at the base camp eateries and I’d touch base with my family twice a day. It was nice to create content but to not consume social media all day long. For this last quarter of 2018, I am going to be on my phone less. I loved the idea and practicality of “batching” when and how often I consume new information, being mindful about it instead of auto-pilot turning to my phone whenever there’s a free second.

As camping season is sadly starting to draw to a close, I want the same peace and stillness I experience in the wild to be created at home within the hustle and bustle of every day life. I think being on my phone less is a good start.

How can you be more mindful of your phone use?