10/20/2026
The art of noticing is something that is rapidly being lost around the world.
I’m not saying it’s *everyone*, but I’m saying that the vast majority of us miss out on so much in the day to day, and it’s because of this little blue screen we’re holding in our hands, right now as you read this and as I type this.
I’m guilty, we’re all guilty, of spending too much time on our phones. I will say, that I am proud of the fact that my daily screen time is less than 2 hours daily including work screen time, and if I go above that my mental health truly feels the shift.
I went to discount tire the other day for a tire swap, and decided to sit for the entire time I was waiting, without looking at my phone. It was a decision I made when I walked in, because as I looked around the room, almost EVERY SINGLE PERSON was on their phone, and one woman was scribbling in a notepad (ok queen!)
It was an experiment to see what I could notice during that time, even in a boring waiting room. I sat next to an elderly gentleman who was playing a game on his phone. I caught his glance and gave him a smile, and it was almost like he was relieved that there might be someone to talk to.
We ended up chatting the entire 40 minutes, with the woman on the notepad chiming in and a third person joining the conversation as well. I learned about his life as a carpenter, where he was from, why he was visiting Traverse City, etc. He asked about me and then someone recognized me from talking about my shop and we made a connection through that. We talked about her job at the Government Center, and the third woman I learned was a new grandma, and the mother of someone I happen to know!
This morning on my walk I soaked it all in, every speck of light bouncing off the leaves, the lake that looked like glass, the fog making everything seem brighter. And I thought to myself “this is what it’s all about.”
Try to wait for your coffee without scrolling, or smile at the person passing you on the sidewalk. It’s going to be a great day 🥹🍁🥰❤️ Xo, Chels