Why I chose a nostalgic Summer over being in a tech and social media chokehold.

Labor Day weekend has come and gone, which to most signals the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall. Although Fall temps might reach myself and the rest of the country with a delay, I still consider it the kick off of Fall activities, sports, and even our prelude into the holiday season. After reading my daily devotional this morning and having coffee, I had a chance to reflect on the Summer. This Summer was eventful, however I chose a different approach compared to past Summers.

You may have heard the term “90s Butter Mom” and let me tell you, I recommend EVERYONE to try the Butter Mom concept whether you have kids or not. According to Google, a Butter Mom is described as a lifestyle trend that celebrates a relaxed unhurried approach to parenting and eating, inspired by the chill and relaxed vibe of the 90s. This includes relaxed eating of enjoying snacks and treats over restricting them, returning to wholesome unstructured outdoor play and minimal technology and screens.

As a millennial and someone who grew up as a kid in the 90s, I realized something: This is the lifestyle we miss and crave. The kind that makes core memories. Like most millennials, we are EXHAUSTED and have grown tired of fast changing technology and the rat race of social media. Do I hate technology? No, I think it’s great and I’m thankful it has changed our lives in ways we could never imagine. Trust me I know I could never survive the year 1883, as I’m currently watching the show on Paramount- Ha!

But keep in mind, most of us Millennials experienced the explosion of the internet and social media in its earliest stages with instant messenger, Myspace, and Facebook. As technology exploded during our youth, I found myself yearning all Summer for simpler times from my childhood. Fast forward to my life now with small children, I decided I wanted to have my sons experience simple pleasures that I had growing up in the Summer. Here’s how I did it:

As a millennial who grew up as a kid in the 90s, I fell in love with this concept. I remember so many key details of my childhood that embodied slow mornings and evenings, and all the things my mom did with us as children.

No iPads- unless on a long car or plane ride.

Yes, I know this is hard for some people and I don’t judge others for utilizing an iPad. But for us, I wanted my boys to experience as much outdoor and indoor play and when needed versus being glued and zoning out to a device. Do my kids still watch TV? of course, but I also only allowed educational options and even OLD cartoons like The Pink Panther from the 1960s and Tom and Jerry. They love it!

Outdoor play on hot days = wet and muddy

I invested in water guns and water balloons, and gave the boys buckets. I turned on the water hose and let them have at it. No shoes, mud, grass = the perfect concoction for a fun and productive outdoor playtime. I also bought an $8 battery operated bubble machine and even our dog was having a butter mom summer laying in the plants and catching bubbles.

Popsicles in the afternoon

This gave us an opportunity to chill and have downtime and chat. This became an afternoon or after dinner treat outside on the porch.

I stopped wearing an Apple Watch

I’ve been wearing an Apple Watch religiously since 2017 and one day I was tired of all the dings and constant interruptions. I took it off for a day and it turned into 4 months! Yes- I know you make adjustments to notifications, but I didn’t realize how much I was a slave to getting notified for every text message, news alert, social media post, etc. It’s the best choice I’ve made. I’ve come to the realization that I will check my text messages when I get to it, and if there was a real emergency someone will call me and my phone will ring.

I stopped posting every waking moment of my life on social media

This summer we moved, and in the past I felt the need to document every single moment as it was happening in real time on social media. I’ve grown so exhausted of feeling like I’ve been trained to do this. Or as some call the obligatory post. This time I decided to live in the moment instead. I still have not even posted that we moved to Texas from Virginia. And honestly, I’m totally OK with that. I will share it when I feel like it. It’s the most freeing thing that I’ve done lately. Who knows, maybe it’s an act of rebellion against social media or maybe I’m just exhausted from the algorithms and constant ads. It’s no longer what it used to be.

I chose reading on paperback vs my e-reader

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Kindle App and e-reader. I bought it when we lived overseas and was post-partum with my second child. It was my way of sitting in a rocker and reading in the dark without having a bright light to disturb my baby. But there’s something about having a physical book in hand and flipping through the pages. I still prefer to read at night in bed, which is why I bought this book light for reading that has a warm light option that’s easy on the eyes. The warm light reminds me of the 90s and 2000s when every light had a warm glow.

Instead of scrolling I chose reading magazines…

Word on the street is reading on print is making a comeback. I bought magazines to flip through and read instead of doom scrolling. I also hear blogs are making a comeback Wink wink!

Instead of chasing Summer trends, I wore all my Summer favorites in style or not

Do I write about trends? Yes, because it’s fun but I don’t chase every single one of them. Year after year I have decided to build my wardrobe based on what makes ME feel good. Breathable flowy fabrics is what I live in during the Summer months. I still chose to dress in summer dresses, skirts and jewelry, because that’s who I am. However I chose outfits that made me feel good, like this two piece polkadot shorts and tube top set.

Last but not least, I treated everyday like it was a special Summer day, even if no one was watching and there was nothing to document.

Thanks for reading! I know this isn’t my usual fashion or beauty post but wanted to write about the incredible and relaxed Summer I had.

Don’t forget to follow on Instagram @unapologetically_glam_podcast 

Stay Unapologetically Glam!

-Alyssa Adore

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