A-Z Blogging Challenge - O is for Off-Screen Weekend

 

This is a bit of a stretch for O but it kind of works and I was struggling to come up with anything else!

JD and I decided to have a screen-free weekend last weekend to see how it'd be. We thought perhaps we'd catch up on things we keep meaning to do but are always on our phones/computers doing other things instead. We encouraged the kids to join in but they didn't want to. So on Friday night, after having a good think if there was anything I'd need for the next two days, I turned off my phone and computer and went to bed.

Turns out if you're putting off things by being on your phone you'll still put them off by sitting on the sofa talking! We had a really nice weekend even so. We read books, baked, went for a walk, did some spring cleaning, talked more and did crosswords.  JD made some biltong and I made a lime cake. 

The biltong drying in our oven.

It felt really relaxing not having to check emails, write or work on blog posts. I did miss not being able to take photos of things, especially as we went over to York to have a park meet up with my sister Sally.

We did actually sit down on those blankets!

We also couldn't use our phones for directions, for music in the car or to check the weather! Luckily it was sunny 😊

I spent some time sewing a new ribbon on my hat because the old one had fallen off. I'd usually listen to music or a podcast whilst sewing so it was different just focusing on one thing at once.

I also varnished the painted pebbles I'd done to put in our front yard. We had plenty of time to talk to the kids and we all had a walk to the park on Saturday evening since it was nice weather. Usually we'd be catching up on whatever show we're currently watching. 

We'd previously said we'd have a pizza takeaway on the Saturday but couldn't get in touch with Deliveroo to order it with no screens so JD and I walked to our local pizza place to order it in person then bring it home. 

The whole weekend felt like a mini holiday even though we were at home and we've said that we're quite keen to repeat the no-screens for maybe 1-2 days a month. The pace of the weekend was much slower with no rushing to get anything done. I felt relaxed and like I had plenty of time which I enjoyed.

Do you think you would enjoy screen free time or hate it?