My analog postpartum bubble

Like so many folks I've got a love/hate relationship with all things social media. It sucks me in and then when my phone tells me how much time I've averaged for the week I'm horrified and want to throw it out the window. The ultimate distraction device...distraction from what? Well, for moments of my pregnancy it was a distraction from the reality that I had a monumental task ahead of me; birthing this glorious baby into the world...parenting four children...helping my other children prepare and transition for their parents being stretched thin...

What a privilege to prepare for all of these things; to even have the opportunity to worry about any of it is beyond a gift.

I decided that enough was enough and mindfully set the goal of only using my phone for an hour or less each day. I deleted social media apps and set up a fat stack of books that I wanted to read. The first few day I noticed that the urge to reach for my phone was strong; having a book nearby was key as was reading fiction books that could sweep me away with an engaging story. Soon I craved reading more that social media (hallelujah)! It felt so incredible to spend the late weeks of pregnancy letting my nervous system settle and my imagination soar.

After my baby's birth I reaffirmed my intention to stay off of my phone and to only use it for occasional texting, calls and pictures. I wasn't sure if my sleepy postpartum brain would enjoy reading in the same way it had during pregnancy but I was determined to find out. The many hours of breastfeeding and snuggling with a sleeping newborn paired with extra help at home turned my living room into the most oxytocin filled library I've ever experienced! I chose works of fiction with light storylines, magical realism, lolling plots and read anytime I felt like it. If my eyes got tired I dog-eared the page and closed them. If somebody needed me, I put the book down, free to pick it up again whenever the time was right.

I noticed right away that I was able to stay in my post-birth bubble with very little effort. I let the worries of the world stay veiled from me. I interacted with my family, my dear friends and midwives, all of whom entered my home with the intention of taking care of us and preserved the sacred space. I went at my babies pace, I healed and focused on slow recovery.

I'm now almost four months postpartum and much of life is somewhat routine again. School, taking care of children, figuring out whats for dinner, working, etc. I do use my phone and I do venture onto social media but now with a renewed interest of keeping it in check. My time and the well-being of my nervous system are more important that staying up to date on whatever is happening in the world of social media. If it's important I'll find out about it. Love to you all!