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Lifestyle

I Spent 4 Hours and 49 Minutes on My Phone Today!! Should I be worried?

Ok, don’t judge me- but I really wanted to know exactly how much time I was spending on my phone so I measured it using the Moments App (ioS 12 also has a built in feature to help you keep track as well).  I was introduced to the app a while ago and I have been documenting my usage and time for the past few weeks.  I thought I was going to feel bad about the amount of time I spent, but I found something even more interesting and awesome instead!

If you have an iPhone here is how your can check your usage now!

Launch Settings from your Home screen. > Tap on Battery. > Wait a moment for Battery Usage to populate. > Tap on the Show Detailed Usage button to get a breakdown of foreground and background power usage. > Tap on Last 7 Days to get a broader look at power consumption over time.

**First pic is from one day, second pic is from seven day summary**

 

Screenshots from Moments App:
My Results

It turns out I get plenty of sleep – averaging 7-8 hours a night – awesome right!?! It also turns out that I spend almost 5 hours a day on my phone…I thought I would have negative feelings about this, but it turns out I don’t.  Let me explain.  I work at home and with my time divided between Digital Chicks Media and our blog, it makes sense to me that I would be spending the equivalent of a day’s work on my phone, aka my computer on the go. With social media and engagement at the core of what I do, I guess it is not surprising, but there is a silver lining to all this information.

Black and White Sweater Dress for $35 (available in every color) another one I love is linked here | Loafers are Chanel, shop similar here | My go to red lipstick is linked here 

The Silver Lining

I am living day-to-day moments for most of my day – that is time that I am spending with my family, at the gym, cooking, driving, etc.  That is a nice find that somehow I can’t ignore.  I actually felt good about that, is that weird?  My kids get home from school around 3:30PM and go to bed around 8PM. The main thing I try hard to work on is the amount of time I spend on my phone while they are home. I want to make sure that those 8 hours of living are happening sans my phone while my family is together.

Something my husband and I try to do walk away from our devices to resist the temptation to not be present in the moment while the kids are home.  While work can sometimes creep in trying to move to another room to finish out an email or call is a helpful way to recenter and be present in the time you are away from your phone.

The Takeaway

In life we have to strike a balance between the things that we do and find a place in our day to day lives for all of it.  Smartphones are a necessary evil that really are not that bad, they have enhanced our lives by so much.  So, next time you resent the amount of time you may be spending on your phone, find out how much time you are actually spending and let that knowledge either empower you or help you create changes you wish to see to make being in the moment more meaningful.

Your Chick,

Sonia

Chick Picks:

Lifestyle, women

#MomsOffDuty – What Does That Mean? Celebrating 100 Posts!!

This is our 100th Post!!! That is more than two years of Chick Picks, Fashion Posts, Motherhood Rants, and Party Tips and we could not have done it without you!! Thank you so much for supporting Chicks And Salsa!!

One of our most frequently used hashtags is #MomsOffDuty.  It was brought to our attention that ‘life outside of motherhood’ and ‘Moms off duty’ implies that we did not have children or did not care about them. This could not be further from the truth!  It just means that we are not going to beat ourselves up about taking a little ‘me time‘ every now and then.

Yes, we are moms and yes we are obsessed with our kids (as most Moms are). BUT the blog is a way for us to find an avenue outside of the realm of crafting, cooking, and career. Chicks And Salsa is a way to use creativity and media to connect with other women in a way that encourages us to develop ourselves as members of this society.

Reflections:
As women, especially those of ethnic descent, we have a tendency to place ourselves last — behind spouses, kids, career. If there is anything I have learned in these past few years, it is that putting yourself first can feel good sometimes, too. It is also important to realize that ‘mom guilt’ never goes away: we will always wish that when we try a new restaurant with friends, that our husbands were there or when we discover a new park to run at, that we could exercise and watch the kids at the same time.
Moms Off Duty—that is how we feel when we squeeze in a coffee with friends during the day or get a babysitter and vent to a friend over cocktails after school. It is all-encompassing. It is the food that we eat, the activities that we participate in, the civic work that we do, the obligations we have at work, and our responsibilities at home. It is about taking a moment to build yourself as a woman, no matter what corners that life brings your way. Stringing together the moments outside of our routines are often the ones that we remember and cherish.
Celebrating Each Other
You Do You
We challenge you to be ‘off duty’ once in a while and do something for yourself with or without someone else. Push yourself to a new limit and rediscover an old hobby. Or listen to some old tunes and dance like no one is watching. It is possible to be a great mother, an influencer, a career-builder, and an independent woman — find your way to putting yourself first and in doing that, find yourself.
Lastly, thank you for all the love that you have shown us these past few years, hopefully we have more to offer as we learn more about all of you!!
With so much love, your chicks,
Rina and Sonia
Shout out to Neema, one of our contributors and Mom-extraordinaire, see her posts here.
Chick Picks:
Fashion

Celebrating Female Strength And Beauty With SelaFit

Anyone else live in work out gear?!  I sure do!  When the kids were babies I was yoga pant obsessed…like literally, I fell asleep in them and wore them all day just to wear the same ones the very next day until laundry day!  I know, I’m not proud, but when you’re sleep deprived anything goes.  Once the kids got a little older I was able to fall into a rhythm which incorporated a work out routine.  What I realized about work out gear was that it was the “less pajama” way to walk around in public and look cute all at the same time.  I playfully call my workout pants my upgraded yoga pants since they are so comfortable!
 

Sela Fit Cross Cross Sports Bra | Sela Fit Black Mesh Body Suit |

Sela Fit High Waisted Pants | Sela Fit Essential Sweatshirt

I recently stumbled across an affordable line of work out gear called SelaFit.  They are a Chicago based company whose message supports women of all body types.  In the land of Lululemon, my pocket book just couldn’t keep up.  As a person who is on and off the exercise train, having work out clothes that I can both sweat in at the gym or run errands in, is important to me when deciding what to buy.  Honestly, fashion trends for women change quickly so looking for daily looks that don’t break the bank.  I have several different fall looks in my latest “go to” work out brand Sela Fit.

The criss cross detail the sports bra adds a nice touch to a tank.  It shows in the back while your hair is up – I like to play around with different colors too to add a fun pop of color!  The mesh bodysuit is a perfect addition to a yoga or Pilates class.  Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in a position that sets my top loose and shows my stomach and back – not totally ideal!  The high waisted work out pants are a perfect addition.  I have a small waist and a high waisted look always gives me the tuck I need so I can accentuate a part of my body that I love.

I can’t stress enough how much I love this sweatshirt.  Not only it is a little baggy, but the material feels like butter on your skin.  In Chicago, we have more cooler months than hotter months, so this sweatshirt adds a perfect finish to a sweaty post work out look.  Not to mention it can be worn on jeans for just a cute #ootd!

Check them out at www.selafit.com you won’t be disappointed you did!

Your Chick,

Sonia

Shop Other Athleisure:
Fashion

What’s In My Bag – Want To Know? #SaleAlerts

I am always curious about what trends other people are watching and what people have their eye on…am I weird? I know what makes me feel good about myself, but I wonder how that aligns with what someone else may like.  If you have followed us for a while, then you know that we have shop-able looks that we share with you almost daily.  You can also see what we have been buying on Amazon on our influencer page too!

With the long weekend coming up I am grateful for what a chill month August has been. September has a lot going on and in life I feel like you need both busy periods and chill periods to appreciate each for what they are, you know what I mean?

Labor Day Sales Breakdown:

ASOS has 20% off EVERYTHING – Code: DAYOFF

Urban Outfitters is have 30% off Sale Items (until 9/3)

Ann Taylor jewelry is all 40% off!

Target has 30% Furniture (Online ONLY till 9/3)

This week was particularly fun since I was able to catch up with several old friends and do some online shopping.  There are so many looks I have been lusting after that I finally looked up bucket bags and found one that is just right for me.  A look that I also have been rocking a lot are dresses with sneakers.  With sales blowing up my inbox, I thought I would share with you what is in my bag and what all is on sale this weekend.

Now tell me what’s in YOUR bag?

Cheers,

Rina