I’ve heard this idea before several times on TTBOOK one of my favorite podcasts through public radio international. This idea was introduced to me by William Powers the author of Hamlet’s BlackBerry. His family has something called the internet Sabbath. For their family this happens on a Friday night and they unplug the modem and the family stays offline until Monday.
Every time I hear this I think to myself “I really need to do that… I send way too much time just refreshing webpages…” and then I do nothing. So this weekend I declared Saturday a day without screens! No TV (easy I don’t have one), no computer, no itouch/ipod/smartphone. Well I did it, and you know what? I had fun. I had way more time in the day, and I got stuff done. We didn’t stay home we went garage sale-ing, shopping, swimming, and did some exploring. Then came home and did some cooking, cleaning and crafting! It was a successful day! I was expecting to get bored but considering I was still exhausted from the week, I never felt the pull very strong. I think I am going to try and make this a regular thing, pick a day and disconnect!
So here is my challenge to you: are you addicted to your technology? No really are you showing signs of addiction? Do you refresh facebook more than once? Do you stare at twitter and wait for more messages? Are you never more than an arm’s length from your smart phone? Well? I think we are all getting addicted to our screens.
UNPLUG! Maybe a day after work, or a weekend day, or the whole weekend. Try it! Do you have hobbies you haven’t done in a while? Half-finished projects? Give it a shot!
We are witches are we not? Go for a walk and leave the phone in the car, relish in your disconnectedness. NO ONE CAN FIND YOU! (ok if you are going out on a hike it is always a good idea to leave a note or tell someone where you are going, and when you expect to be back….)
~Kathleen
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