In the meantime, I wanted to write about this:
I decided that I would take a technology break while I was down there.
I have a Blackberry, and luckily I just have my personal email on there - so I'm definitely not one of those who can't resist "working" all of the time. However, I do have Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, THE WHOLE INTERNET, etc on there. And it's turned me into an obsessive freak. I feel like I have the attention span of a five year old during down time.
I am constantly checking all of these different things multiple times during the day. Stopped at a redlight? Check Facebook. Waiting for the check to come at dinner? Check Twitter.
And when that little red light is blinking - it's most likely spam email, but I've gotta check anyway... right away.
Don't get me wrong - I like being able to be connected and it's just for entertainment that I look at all of these. There's no stress involved at all. But when it starts to feel like you're chained to your phone... then that's not a good thing. "Life" isn't happening on my phone. It's happening all around me - and sometimes, I'm losing sight of that.
So I took a break. I didn't check ANYTHING while on vacation (except for a few "hope you're having fun" texts). And it was GLORIOUS.
I didn't think - oh, I should go make sure no one's emailed me something important (seriously, no one ever does, but I still feel the need to check). I even turned my phone off completely for a few days. When we went out, I didn't take it. I didn't even THINK of it.
On our way back to Georgia, part of me didn't even want to check it at all, ever again. Is it really so important that I know who posted pictures or who had lunch with so and so? Nope.
There was something so freeing about not feeling the need to be up-to-the-second updated on everything. And that should be a sign right there - I felt relief by not checking my phone. Definitely shows out of whack priorities right there. I have trouble just relaxing, and always feel the need to be doing something - and my phone addiction plays into this.
This isn't a post about me quitting all social networking sites or something. And yes, I get the irony of my blogging about this..
I do enjoy being able to stay connected with far away friends, and making new friends altogether through reading other blogs. It's a great source of entertainment and inspiration. However, sometimes a break is nice. And I'm going to make a conscious effort to limit my phone usage to times when I really want/need to look something up - or if I'm super bored. No more bb while I'm spending time with Tony on the couch, no more while I'm out with friends. I spend all day at work on the computer - I don't need to extend that to every waking moment via my phone.
Moderation is key.
That little red light can't control me!
I am constantly checking all of these different things multiple times during the day. Stopped at a redlight? Check Facebook. Waiting for the check to come at dinner? Check Twitter.
And when that little red light is blinking - it's most likely spam email, but I've gotta check anyway... right away.
Don't get me wrong - I like being able to be connected and it's just for entertainment that I look at all of these. There's no stress involved at all. But when it starts to feel like you're chained to your phone... then that's not a good thing. "Life" isn't happening on my phone. It's happening all around me - and sometimes, I'm losing sight of that.
So I took a break. I didn't check ANYTHING while on vacation (except for a few "hope you're having fun" texts). And it was GLORIOUS.
I didn't think - oh, I should go make sure no one's emailed me something important (seriously, no one ever does, but I still feel the need to check). I even turned my phone off completely for a few days. When we went out, I didn't take it. I didn't even THINK of it.
On our way back to Georgia, part of me didn't even want to check it at all, ever again. Is it really so important that I know who posted pictures or who had lunch with so and so? Nope.
There was something so freeing about not feeling the need to be up-to-the-second updated on everything. And that should be a sign right there - I felt relief by not checking my phone. Definitely shows out of whack priorities right there. I have trouble just relaxing, and always feel the need to be doing something - and my phone addiction plays into this.
This isn't a post about me quitting all social networking sites or something. And yes, I get the irony of my blogging about this..
I do enjoy being able to stay connected with far away friends, and making new friends altogether through reading other blogs. It's a great source of entertainment and inspiration. However, sometimes a break is nice. And I'm going to make a conscious effort to limit my phone usage to times when I really want/need to look something up - or if I'm super bored. No more bb while I'm spending time with Tony on the couch, no more while I'm out with friends. I spend all day at work on the computer - I don't need to extend that to every waking moment via my phone.
Moderation is key.
That little red light can't control me!
Good for you! I cannot wait to get rid of my blackberry and return to a simpler way of life - it's just that job thing that's keeping me from doing it.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya. I'm the same way. On the internet all day at work then I get home and in the interest of de-swellifying my ankles, I put my feet up on the coffee table and hang out with the laptop, when I should be spending QT with the husband. Then there's the phone. It's kinda ridiculous. I figure it's only a matter of time (when baby gets here) before I join you in loosening the internet ties.
ReplyDelete