FROM YOUR LAPTOP TO THE WORLD

Here we are six weeks into the new year, and it’s still hard to cope with the new realities of our daily lives and the prospect of what our futures hold.

The last 12 months have been beyond challenging and if you’re social media for any period of time, you’ll notice how many inspirational quotes and euphemisms have dominated our screens; sharing reframes about what this time in our country and our society really means for all of us. 

The good news: there isn’t one (right) way to experience this current time.

On one hand, if you’ve made it out of 2020 with your health and your family in tact, anyone would say that you’re extremely lucky. On the other, the rush to get back to normal and moving through our work routines and family commitments has taken a toll on everyone, especially Mothers. 

So if you’re still wondering, “…why do I feel so tired still?” 

I’d like to gently remind you that we are simultaneously living through a global pandemic on top of experiencing massive cultural and societal transformation. From the farmers protest in India (which is the largest protest in human history) to the protests happening in every major city in the world; all of this unrest affects us physically and emotionally. And in the words of famed astrologer, Jessica Lanyadoo, “…if you are alive for it, you are a part of it.”

Birthing a new world is exciting…but it is also exhausting.

So in light of what seems to be a never ending story of change, I’ve committed to giving myself grace indefinitely. When I can, I rest, take a beat, and slow down to catch my breath.

In my practice of grounding and reconnection, there is one tool that has the power to shift my mood in an instant…the amazing power of sound.

It is the most versatile and one of the most effective tools in my self-care toolbox.

I use sound to set the mood, to set the vibes, to help me sleep, to elevate my mood and to calm my nerves under stress.

And under the circumstances of a domestic and global lockdown, going to the internet was for myself and others, the only option for connection and community.

In light of the lockdowns, what has kept me sane in my four walls is discovering the ways in which sound and interactive technology can be expressed; and the ways in which our creative community has used this time to build unique experiences that not only lift our spirits but also use the screen to transport us into other spaces outside of our living rooms.

So what you’ll find here is a short list of my favorite things on the internet; some of them I play daily to set the vibe, others I’ve found help me focus on what’s right in front of me so I can get through the day.

While I don’t know how this next 300+ days are going to turn out, I am glad to have some creative options that will help expand the space inside my heart and my mind.

Here’s to happy listening,

Jenn

NATURE SOUNDS FOR SOLACE

Tree.fm -  a website full of soundscapes from real forests around the world, which play while displaying a full-screen photo of the location where they were recorded.

Orbitz Soundscapes - Orbtiz asked 36 people across six continents to share what they love most about the place they live — through sound. 

Window-Swap.com - the idea for Window Swap: an interactive website offering users the opportunity to “open a new window somewhere in the world.” 

VIRTUAL CULTURE FOR REFLECTION

The British Museum - A collaboration between the British Museum and the Google Arts & Culture Lab, The Museum of the World is an interactive experience through time, continents and cultures, featuring fascinating objects in human history. 

Loupe Art - Loupe is the leading online visual art platform created to provide an elegant backdrop for your home, workplace, or party.

BEDTIME SOUNDS FOR PEACE

CosmoSapiens -  Cameras show LIVE and pre-recorded footage of Spacewalk Earth views from ISS.

Alan Watts Lectures- The organization plays Alan’s lectures 24/7 via YouTube.

ZenLifeRelax - Livestreams of meditation and mindfulness soundscapes.