Making Space for Connection
We love venturing to Seattle for “city time.” There’s always something new to experience whether it’s food, music, art, or unexpected views of Mt. Rainier; and it’s just a ferry ride away from our home on Whidbey Island.
This time, after our sushi at Ikiiki Sushi we were drawn to a lit-up slogan on a store we hadn’t seen before - “Unplug and Reconnect.” Yes! I cheered, just what we all need!
Walking into Blue Highway Games in Queen Anne was like coming home to family after a long trip away. The energy felt amazing; people were smiling and reminiscing, you could hear the low murmur of conversation while families played board games in the loft, and the staff game picks and favorites led you trailing around the store.
So of course we came home with games and puzzles. And this week has been a reminder of how important it is to have off-line ways of connecting with yourself and as a family.
Whenever I need a work break or a few minutes to myself, I head over to the super challenging popsicle puzzle I bought at Blue Highway. It’s been rejuvenating in a way I hadn’t experienced in a long time. It’s quiet, challenging, introspective, exercising my sense of color, texture and shape, and extremely rewarding when I find the right piece. When Torrey joins me, it becomes a family activity - even if just for a few minutes at a time - that brings about conversation, team work, collaboration and connection!
Do you have a game table? Or a space where on-going activities can stay in place and invite the family in? If not, think about setting aside some space in your home as a connection spot. It can be a spot on the floor in a corner of the room, a game or art table in the family room, or a tray on the kitchen counter with watercolors. An invitation to create, connect, or take a personal pause.
Our Texture Tracking Art Box is one of our favorites for building family connections as you can have fun going texture tracking, creating a texture collage and making a 3-D texture habitat.
By the way, we were not rewarded or paid to recommend Blue Highway Games. We just really love what they’re doing to promote unplugging and connecting. They even have a schedule of game nights and days at the shop.