Airplane mode on your mobile telephone disables your service, you can't make calls or send a text, nor can you use the internet to receive calls or texts until you disable airplane mode. The end of 2016 and beginning of 2017 has left me in airplane mode – not giving or receiving signals.
Apparently, radio signals emitted by phones can interfere with the communications and guidance systems on the aircraft, which could potentially be very dangerous. I felt that way recently. My own personal communications and guidance systems were experiencing interference so I temporarily shut down. Nothing permanent, just a pause. Airplane mode pauses our actions and reactions to the world below, literally suspending our own personal signals of receiving and transmitting information.
In addition to digital airplane mode, I’ve taken flights too. The flights were holiday related of course, and then I turned right back around to go home for another funeral. I'm sure grief is the number one reason I've switched off. Losing someone as I closed out last year and losing someone as I greeted this new year was a sobering and devastating calendar page turn. The older I get, the more wisdom and beautiful experiences I collect. These experiences move me forward; but the inevitable tragedies, sickness, and death of the loved ones around me play a part in that advancement too. I found myself in a holding pattern, though, not moving forward at all.
So what to do? Well, self-care/self-preservation was my choice. Putting myself in airplane mode was like putting a Do Not Disturb sign on the door of my life. It gave me a chance to be alone with my thoughts, be intimate with my own heart, and above all it really allowed me to be present with the people in front of me. I was present with my loved ones who shared my grief, my family members who needed my care. I also exercised, rested, and ate well to take care of myself. All of this got undivided attention without disruption.
I highly recommend putting yourself in airplane mode, not just on your cell phone, but also in your life. Unplug. Go inward. Rest. Meditate. Pray. Preserve the life of your battery. I feel more connected to the world around me for having disconnected with my communication, deadlines, emails, and goals. I apologize if I seemed unavailable or distracted or anyone felt neglected. I’m back and better than ever (and playing a fun little game of catch up!)
One of the things that helped me during my little airplane mode respite was making soups and stews. Food that fills me up, hugs my insides, comforts and warms me. If you’re following me on Instagram or Facebook (and please do!) you’ll see a mini parade of steaming bowls of soup. Also, a big part of my self-care regimen has been overnight oats! I was late to the overnight oats party, but I came up with a great recipe for Stoneridge Orchards using their dried blueberries to make up for lost time. Again, food that fills me up, hugs my insides, comforts and warms me. And they’re easy and inexpensive!
Over Night Oats
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Stoneridge Orchards dried blueberries, more for garnish
- 2 teaspoons hemp seeds
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cups rolled oats (not quick cook)
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 1 3/4 cup soy milk
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup nonfat greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup toasted coconut flakes, more for garnish
Directions:
Mix everything together in a bowl until well combined. Spoon into jars that can be closed with a lid. Place in fridge overnight or for a few hours minimum. In the morning, check the consistency and add a little more milk if it seems too thick. Garnish with coconut flakes and dried blueberries. Keeps up to 4 days in the fridge. Feel free to swap out a different milk, different seeds/nuts, or a variety of Stonebridge Orchards dried fruit.
Made by my childhood bestie, Stephanie. She's taking care of herself too with overnight oats!
All other food photographs by Cheryl Stockton of Stockshot Studio.