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Wonderful collection of essential building blocks towards stepping away from our smart phone dependence! Thanks for the mention, and I love the idea for a opening a phone-free "cozy cafe/library/salon—a place for discussing ideas with actual, physical people"- this idea might become quite the revelation for a lot of young people. I have had a similar idea of a type of coffee house/used bookstore (who knows...it might be something for the retirement years...). I already have the perfect sticker for the entrance you could use (my daughter designed this) https://www.redbubble.com/i/metal-print/Don-t-Be-A-Phoney-by-chalk05/42138523.0JXQP :)

I regularly go on (even very long) drives with hand-written maps, and I have always reached my destination. Once when there was an unexpected detour, I ended up having a lovely chat with some seniors at the coffee shop, who gladly pointed out the right way.

We think we need a phone, but fail to realize how much else is on offer for us without the constant magnetic pull.

Thanks again Shannon - looking forward to more of your writing :)

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Thanks for commenting, Ruth. Interesting, isn't it, how the benefits of leaving our phones behind can come in unexpected ways; your interaction with some new friends at a coffee shop when you needed directions is a perfect example. I have been without a car for the past few months, and while it has been hard, I have been surprised how enjoyable it has been to spend more time with friends who are willing to pick me up for this dinner or that book club meeting.

We "need" our phones (and our cars!) far less than we think.

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Nov 2, 2023Liked by Shannon Hood

I took things a step further and gave up my smart phone two years ago. Great article, Shannon.<3

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Love it, Mary. Thanks for commenting!

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Love, love, love this, Shannon. Such simple, implementable tips with such potential huge benefits. I especially loved your several references to getting outside. As my own blog readers know, I believe our Connection with Nature is one of the #HeartspokenLife's four essential connections. It nourishes us in every way -- physically, mentally, spiritually. And I'm so glad to be introduced to the "God's First Book" and will be sharing that in the future. Thank you! Oh, and as to what I'm reading, here's my spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/184AxRGEDGqkABddraplBbjYH7qe8QGpTvlYY3V5r9Ho/edit#gid=443272576

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Elizabeth! That reading list is amazing. Thank you for sharing. I hope you write a few book reviews on your favorites of the year? I'd love to read those.

I love the idea of "God's First Book," and hope to write more about it.

Thanks for reading, as always.

-Shannon

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