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Technology Break At Home

 I should state that I like technology.  I like that people around the world can be connected so easily.  I like seeing images from across the globe on Twitter, I like texting my sister about something I wanted to ask her, and I like that I can share a short video and a smile with someone in just a few clicks.


No Technology Experiment

Some time ago, I talked about giving up technology over a vacation.  It was almost two full weeks of giving up almost all forms of technology and really disconnecting with the world.  It was two weeks of living in the moment and just immersing myself in where I was and who I was with.  The vacation gave me a mental boost.  Being disconnected and not constantly on call added to the experience and proved to be an overwhelmingly positive experience.  


Constantly Connected

Constantly Connected Technology

Recently, I have begun to notice just how much technology dominates my days.  I should state that while my camera might be technology, I don't wish to step away from my camera and would likely be very sad to not have it at the ready.  My camera is really more of an extension of myself than a distraction.  My laptop and phone however leave me constantly in touch and "available" to the needs of others.  This is a fact of daily life today for many of us.  Being a short text, phone call, or message away from everyone can be exhausting.  While there is some comfort in the fact that anyone can get ahold of me in an emergency, thankfully very few things are a true emergency.


Break From Technology 

I began thinking about whether or not a technology break for part of a day was possible while still at home and not on vacation.  The idea has popped in and out of my mind for many weekends but I have never acted on it.  My journeys into nature each week are mostly technology-free but my phone is always in my pocket not only for safety but also in case someone needs me for something while I am away.  So I tend to be connected even when I am disconnecting in nature.  My phone number has been accidentally placed on a food truck website recently however and they don't seem in a hurry to correct their error.  This leaves me with calls and texts for catering orders and questions about the food truck almost it seems around the clock.  This fact pushed me into making an attempt to step back for a day over a recent weekend.



The Plan

Vacation seems like an easier time to give up technology since many people already know that I am gone and don't tend to reach out.  Certainly, work issues don't typically come up over vacation so that takes a large portion of my technology use out of the equation.  My plan at home was to disconnect as much as possible from late morning until early evening.  Eight hours without checking my phone, laptop, or tablet one time.  A little trial to see how being technology-free at home for a longer period of time might be able to work.  Obviously, this wouldn't work on a working day but on a Saturday or Sunday, I thought that I could give it a try.  


The Result


Happy and Content Emoji

The world continued to work as expected and no one fell to serious harm or damage while I was disconnected.  I typically feel like there is an expectation by others for a text message to be returned quickly.  This might just be my perception though which is slightly odd as I am not someone who expects an immediate or even an answer within a few hours.  While I did get many text messages, no one seemed too put off that they were not answered until evening though there were plenty of questions about whether or not I was alright and why I wasn't answering.  Perhaps next time I should advertise to those that text me the most that I will be tucking my phone away until evening.  I also experienced glimpses of that creativity and the mental break that I achieved while on vacation.  I laid on a blanket in the sun.  I sketched and let my mind wander.  I breathed deep and felt a sense of freedom and separation from normal life.  


Would I do it again?  Absolutely.  Next time I will likely let a handful of people know that I will not be checking my phone until evening.  I would make a go for the vast majority of the day without technology next time and see how it works.  I discovered that it is much easier to give up technology while on vacation but it is not impossible to give it up while at home.  It just might take some special planning.



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