The Dreamer's Pen

I woke up this morning without my cell phone. My dog climbed on top of me, curled up, and fell asleep. When he woke, he gave me kisses on the cheek and just snuggled close. We lay there together, listening to the birds outside, and I couldn’t believe how clearly I could hear them singing. It’s already March, and somehow that surprised me.

Around 8 AM, we went downstairs for breakfast. I had a Greek yogurt bowl, and he had his wet food. Afterward, I settled on the couch where the sun poured in, and my dog used his ramp to climb into my lap.

We just sat there, the only sound the birds outside. I wasn’t on my phone, and I found it incredibly peaceful. What felt like an hour was only twenty minutes.

I knew I had to mow the front lawn, so I put on sweats and a sweatshirt!! No headphones this time. Normally, I’d have something playing, but today I just mowed and listened to the wind and birds. It was unexpectedly nice. Back inside, my dog and I sat by the sunny front window. He fell asleep in his little chair, and I just sat with him.

Around noon, it was time to pick up groceries. We drove in silence. Absolutely no radio and no podcasts. Coming back, he was so happy with everything I’d bought. I put groceries away, vacuumed the front and back of the house, and then realized my tires were low on air. My dog “helped” with that too and by the time we finished, it was already time for dinner. I made an oatmeal bake with a frittata and tofu seasoned like sausage.

Now, looking at the clock, it’s only 5:44 PM, but today already feels long and fulfilling. I guess what I’m realizing is that I don’t need to have headphones in all the time. I usually have them in at work or at home while cleaning, but they actually contribute to my anxiety. Today, without them and without the constant noise of music or news, I felt present and mentally clear in a way I haven’t in a long time.

That clarity made me think about downsizing. There’s so much I can donate, so many things I don’t need. I don’t want to be extreme or minimalist, just living with what’s necessary and letting go of extra clutter, old electronics, and items that no longer serve me.

I guess the point is that all this constant stimulation. Facebook, Instagram, podcasts, music and TV. They don’t need to be on all the time. Sometimes the quiet is enough and the peace you find in it is everything