Anne Lamott – Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you

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Welcome to The Daily Quote—a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I’m your host, Andrew McGivern, and today is August 21st.

Today, we’re celebrating something that feels especially relevant in our fast-paced, always-connected world—Internet Self-Care Day. Now, you might be thinking, “Andrew, what on earth is Internet Self-Care?” Well, let’s dive into that.

Internet self-care is all about managing how we interact with the digital world. It’s about setting boundaries, finding balance, and making sure our time online enriches our lives rather than drains them. In a world where our phones are often the first thing we reach for in the morning and the last thing we see at night, it’s more important than ever to take care of how we engage with the endless stream of content, notifications, and distractions.

Now, this brings me to today’s quote—a little piece of wisdom from the writer Anne Lamott. She says,

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

Let that sink in for a moment. In an age where we’re constantly plugged in—scrolling, liking, commenting, sharing—this simple truth can be easily forgotten. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is to step away, even if just for a moment.

Think about how often your devices need a restart. You know the drill—when your computer slows down, or your phone glitches out, the first advice you get is to turn it off and on again. That little break is usually enough to clear the memory, reset the system, and get everything running smoothly again. The same goes for us.

When you feel overwhelmed by the endless news cycles, stressed by social media, or drained by digital interactions, unplugging—literally and metaphorically—can be the reset you need. Maybe that means turning off your notifications for an hour, or even a day. Maybe it’s about setting a timer for your social media usage or simply choosing to spend your evening reading a book instead of binge-watching another series.

And there is a serious problem with doomscrolling.. which is scrolling through negative news headlines and developing a distorted negative world view as a result. The truth is there are just as many good things happening in the world... but bad news gets more clicks so the incentive is to put more bad news in the feed.

Anyway... don't get me started on that. My other podcast... the great news podcast is all about that topic. That show will be coming back soon.

Sometimes you just have to unplug...

But the answer isn’t about avoiding the internet altogether. It’s about creating space in your life where you can reconnect with yourself and the world around you without the constant hum of digital noise. It’s about ensuring that your online life is a reflection of your best self, not a distraction from it.

So today, on Internet Self-Care Day, I encourage you to take Anne Lamott’s advice to heart. Find a moment—just a few minutes—to unplug, reset, and reconnect with what truly matters. Whether it’s stepping outside for some fresh air, meditating, or simply sitting quietly with a cup of tea, give yourself the gift of being present, away from screens and notifications.

And when you return to the digital world, do so with intention and care, knowing that sometimes the most important connection you can make is the one you have with yourself.

That’s all for today’s episode of The Daily Quote. Thank you for spending a few minutes with me. I hope today’s quote inspires you to practice a little Internet self-care. I’ll be back tomorrow with more inspiration to kickstart your day. Until then, remember—sometimes the best thing you can do is simply unplug. Take care.