Unplugged
Monday, June 21, 2010 at 5:55PM Last week I went to Arizona with my mom. We were gone for 4 days and during that time, I only really sat down to look through and answer emails one time. I did a quick check on my phone a few times but I was really just skimming through to see if anything looked personal and/or important. I didn’t stop to read the ones that weren’t which accounted for the vast majority of them. For those 4 days, I also didn’t really chat on the phone. I didn’t watch TV or read newspapers. I also didn’t get on Twitter or Facebook (OK, just once but only to gloat about the weather in Arizona and complain about having to head back to the gray Seattle days).
So, what was my vacation from technology and the news like? It was nice. It was more than nice. It was just the thing I needed even though I hadn’t known it. I check my email about 80 times a day. It’s probably my worst habit, actually. So, to take a break from that was eye opening. And I really liked it.
I came to the realization that I don’t need to know about every sale Banana Republic has. I don’t need to know about the zoo’s meerkat naming contest. And, though I love Real Simple magazine, I don’t need an email about their weekly projects because I’m never going to assemble keepsake shadow boxes. I’m now on a mission to unsubscribe. I’m on a mission to check email only 3 times a day. And I’m on a mission to reclaim some technology-free hours or maybe even days. I’m on a mission. Join me?
Reader Comments (3)
I have been determined to allow technology to be in my life for MY convenience, not others. I have no phone and only an old fashioned answering machine I check on occasion. Although I have lost a few friends, the ones I have are truly dear and know that stopping by is customary in my life in order to get ahold of me. I do not watch the news or read the paper I will do that once my kids are off to college, I swear!
I my own pronounced cocoon it is peaceful, sometimes lonely, but always heartfelt in that I know I answer the phone only when I really have a minute to chat. An d chat I do, ask any of my friends. I feel that I can give them more of my time and listening ear.I do have email and enjoy that when the quiet moments allow.
In an effort "not to miss out" so many of us are disengaging from the real 3d world while thinking they are plugging into a technology super-world. I hope you find yourself having more time, but more importantly more eye opening engaging time. Enjoy, and welcome back to the simpler life!
I'm in...
You know, I really didn't miss it either!! And life went on.