15 Comments
User's avatar
The tired mother's avatar

You already hinted at how it went for you, so I can't wait to read more in detail.

I truly understand the struggle, but I feel like your awareness of the situation is a big step in the right direction.

The Therapist Who Came Undone's avatar

It helps, but I sure wish knowing better meant doing better🙃

The tired mother's avatar

It should in the long term!

The Therapist Who Came Undone's avatar

That is the goal. It does seem no progress goes in a straight line.

Presence's avatar

It’s a reminder of how hard it can be just to be present with ourselves. Thanks for your story

The Therapist Who Came Undone's avatar

Thank you for being here.

Georgena Felicia LPCC's avatar

When a call to come together has been expressed

Is it a heart beckoning?

An agreed upon ritual?

A family tradition?

Preparation, union of participation, reflection thereupon

How to determine best fit of

Time, duration, activity, engagement?

Can time-outs be allowed

How to keep Holy in holiday?

Davelynn D. Rampas's avatar

It's truly admirable that both of you consistently celebrate Shabbat/Sabbath every week as a time for dedicated rest and family closeness. As a Seventh-day Adventist, I share the belief that Sabbath is a day for those very things.

However, I have to be honest. While most Adventists celebrate Sabbath, many (myself included!) still struggle to fully put aside the habit of checking our phones and engaging with technology. It's a common challenge in the modern world to truly disconnect, even during our most sacred time. It makes me wonder if, in this era, truly keeping the Sabbath requires not just stopping work, but actively unplugging to ensure our hearts and minds can truly be present with ourselves and our families.

The Therapist Who Came Undone's avatar

It really is so hard in this modern world to unplug. If you read today's follow up post, we weren't exactly successful, but we are learning and trying to grow. I have quite the love-hate relationship to technology, but I think the best we can do is learn to live in a healthier place with it. It's definitely aspirational for now.

Rachel Ward's avatar

I love everything about this, especially your observations on your family's different relationships with technology.

I still remember walking around Venice alone on a cold and dark evening and looking up at a glowing window to see a family celebrating Shabbat. It was nothing if not achingly beautiful.

The Therapist Who Came Undone's avatar

Thank you for this and for reading!

Annie Rimmer's avatar

I really appreciate the time you are giving yourself to honour your husband’s question and your own true response. It’s too easy I find to give a more knee-jerk response especially when the nervous system feels a sense of alarm when a question is asked. Thanks for this.

The Therapist Who Came Undone's avatar

Thank you for that. He asked so earnestly I had to take it seriously:)

K. L. Brooks | Author's avatar

This definitely resonated! I'm being very avoidant of myself lately 😅 I hate how hard it is to be still and silent and how easy it is to give into distraction.

The Therapist Who Came Undone's avatar

There is just so much to be distracted by these days and at least for me, I am so out of practice in just sitting with myself.