Forever Elsewhere

New normal in progress.

Oooof.

I guess I underestimated the magnitude of more “grieling” (grieving+healing) needed for every day functionality when I was living my vacation life in Greece last week.

The truth is I am hoping to deliver this newsletter every Tuesday bc it matters to me and so many of you have shared your kindness over how it matters to you as well.

No doubt, writing is therapeutic.

There is an element of healing in writing this and there is a time requirement needed that I haven’t yet figured out how to balance and implement … meaning I’m writing this at the 11th hour … so ummmm yeah.

Today this has made it to your inbox and we’ll see what happens next week! LOL

Moving on…

I’m listening to the audible version of THE ANXIOUS GENERATION.

Holy Lawwwwwd. We have an epidemic on our hands and it’s just beginning to be measured. I’m not talking about the epidemic that is the political landscape of America (which is humiliating, scary as hell and absolutely exhausting) but rather our precious children and their devices.

Beau had access to a phone at his dad’s house.

He has an iPad at my house.

He loves his games and FaceTiming his friends and all the while I cringe because I can’t help but think of the damage I’m permitting.

In the first 10 minutes of The Anxious Generation, author Jonathan Haidt starts telling a fictional story about a young girl who's been chosen to take a trip to Mars that would take place without her parents consent. She is so thrilled and excited even though the side effects of traveling to space and the permanent damage to her body, mind, and overall health will be significant. All of this to drive home the insanity that smart phones have brought into our lives.

I’m the first to say; I have a problem.

My work and social life are so entangled up in here that I don’t blame young people for the obsession with devices bc they are quite literally powerless against them. I’m an adult and I’m at battle with myself daily.

Haidt mentioned a line in the book quoting MIT professor Sheryl Turkle from 2015 saying “we are forever elsewhere”. How poignant is that statement! When you’re at dinner and see an entire family gazing down at the phone instead of in conversation you’re observing a handful of people in completely different places, with completely different thoughts, missing the moment. It’s a future I can’t bear to witness.

We have to create boundaries. We have to become more conscious. We have to be the warden.

I use this word bc MY SON CALLED ME THAT YESTERDAY.

I said “that’s hilarious bc you haven’t seen anything yet.”

Jokes aside we have a good rapport overall. He knows when he’s pushed it and he knows there are certainly consequences.

However after my most recent podcast interview with Connected Parenting founder Jennifer Kolari who coined the phrase “parents are the acting frontal lobe for our children”; I’m even more convinced if we intend to BE HERE NOW - we have to create HERE.

It just is what it is.

The metaverse and social media is a land of unknowns and never ending drama. How exciting!! Without question I’d prefer my childhood to the one my son is living … for a number of reasons at this point <sigh>.

Yet, here we are.

I refuse to be forever elsewhere missing the moments and living in a virtually forecasted future.

As I navigate full time single motherhood sans immediate father figures, I’m beginning again. My goal is to be here not elsewhere and it’s more necessary than ever before.

Let’s stay accountable to remind one another that elsewhere is not WHERE we ARE now.

OKAYILOVEYOUBYEEE,

xx

Nic.

ps. * Tuesday QUICKIE YOGA (today) 12-12:30pm pst. $10. A well rounded music based mobility focused yoga flow. This was created as a community class and if you ever need financial assistance to attend - please just reach out or use code NEWFRIEND to try a class for free. Sign up here.

* Saturday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW 9-10am, 10:15-11:15am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.

* Sunday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW. 10:45-11:45am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.

pps. Did you know I have a “free trial/beginner” section on my site. You can always try these classes to see if you and I might be a good “fitness-fit”. LOL

ppps. AUGUST FIT 2024!! SHE COMING SOON…

Imagine the ways your life would improve if you:

…laughed first thing in the morning?

…started to see muscle tone developing?

…could walk up stairs, carry groceries, chase your kids without being breathless?

…slept better because you had intelligently taxed your body?

…improved bone density by lifting heavy things?

…felt connected and supported by women all over the country (and internationally).

…finally committed to putting yourself first so that you can pour into others?

All of these are available to you … and more.

I promise.

We’ve got 13 classes over the course of 30 days. (Aug 2-Aug24)

They all begin and end with CARS, because obviously. Classes are 35 minutes (45 minutes on Saturdays), accessible for all levels, and they will live on demand in case you miss the live session.

We have an optional IG chat group that keeps the party going all month long. Train for improved strength, laugh while you sweat, and bring your dance moves because each class has a mini 3 minute cardio dance break to shift your mood and ignite lymphatic drainage. Learn more here.

pppps. EPISODE 31 of SHOCK AND YALL is out now with one of my favorites and a true savant if you ask me: DR. LOCATELLI RAO. Also how cool is that name? Loc has seen me along with upward of the 50 people I’ve sent his way over the last 8 years. He is a consummate seeker, educator, deep thinker and devoted doctor of Physical Therapy. He will roll his eyes at this but he’s a master of PRI (postural restoration institute) and a wizard when it comes to complex injury and dysfunction in the body. We barely scratch the surface on posture, barefoot shoes, breathing, the INSANE importance of dental and visual health, and so much more. Take a listen. Here are a few sneak peek videos…