The Importance of Unplugging

 The Joys of Technology

how many times did you watch this?

Technology today is pretty great. I love that I can stay connected to friends and family all over the country with my phone (without having making a single call). I love that I can track my daily exercise and calorie intake, find new recipes, catch up on the days news, zone out on Facebook and watch kitten videos on this tiny but powerful computer that fits in my hand. But being plugged in 24/7 isn't healthy for my mind or body. Lately I've been starting to feel annoyed with technology; annoyed with my computer, the internet, all the crap on TV and my phone. I am not sure why this is. It could be because the weather is getting colder and I don't really want to spend too much time outside. It could be because the holdiays are coming (that's a whole other can of worms) or it could be because I am not unplugging enough.

There are days I find myself too plugged in, yup that's right, too plugged in. Question: is that even possible? Answer: well, yes it is. I will be at home watching TV, playing around on the computer and texting at the same time. It is embarrassing to even think that I am spending some evenings with three screens blaring messages, music and just plain noise at me (not to mention whatever weird radiation may come off these devices). I don't think I am addicted to my "devices"; but then again isn't the first step to overcoming addiction admitting you have a problem? I will admit on certain days I feel like I am playing with my phone or computer far too much, but I am not as addicted as some people out there. I can live without a phone with internet (I did up until a few months ago). I can live without checking Facebook for a day, or two or three. I enjoy having access to these things, but value peace and quiet too.

When Unplugging is Necessary

There are some obvious instances when turning off and powering down is important and necessary. Here are a few that are important to me.

I don't need technology when i have this!

1. When driving. This one is a no-brainer. We have all seen pictures and heard stories about what can happen when you text and drive. I don't want to risk injuring myself, my passengers, my dog or anyone else out there. It's stupid, just don't do it.
2. When I am out running or biking. I actually never bring my phone on a run. It is too big and bulky and I am out there to focus on my run. I always stash my phone in the bag on my bike, but not so I can check Facebook. I keep it with me because I am not apt to be farther from home while biking and want to make sure I can call someone if I have a problem (flat I can't fix, etc.). I don't think I have ever had to call anyone on a ride thus far.
3. At the gym. My phone stays in my car. I don't have a locker, so leaving it in the car is the safest option. Also, just like running, I am at the gym to focus on my workout. No one needs to reply to a text during yoga!
4. When I'm playing outdoors. No need to focus my attention on my phone when I am out walking,  hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or sledding! I have it with me in case of emergencies and use it sometime to take pictures. Other than that I am out there playing and having fun and enjoying the fresh air!
5. Bedtime. I keep my phone by my bed only as an alarm clock. Before going to sleep each night I put my phone down and pick up a book. I may only get through a few paragraphs before my eyes start to close, but putting my phone down lets my mind rest and focus on recovery and sleep.

7 Important Reasons to Unplug and Find Space

I read a great article recently by Joshua Becker on his blog Becoming Minimalist (you can find the whole posting here: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/unplug-please/). This article talks about some of the unhealthy attachments to technology that are plaguing our world. Here are a few startling statistics he mentions:

• 84% of cell phone users claim they could not go a single day without their device. (source)
• Studies indicate some mobile device owners check their devices every 6.5 minutes. (source)
• 88% of U.S. consumers use mobile devices as a second screen even while watching television. (source)
• Traditional TV viewing eats up over six days (144 hours, 54 minutes) worth of time per month. (source)
• Some researchers have begun labeling “cell phone checking” as the new yawn because of its contagious nature. (source)

Eek, some of these statistics are downright scary. What concerns me is how many kids these days are connected to technology and "devices" almost all day long. Working in schools I am witness to students who carry their phones, Ipods and tablets around with them everywhere. Many schools are starting to incorporate more technology into the classroom. I have been in classes where every student sits and works on lessons or projects on a laptop or Ipad. From there students move to their next class checking their phones in the hallway.

I have been in the cafeteria's and seen students sitting together at a table all on their devices or with headphones in their ears. Are they even talking to each other? It is scary to think that some kids these days can't go a lunch period (20 minutes) without looking at or playing with some sort of device with a screen. Last year I was at a school chatting with a 7th grader. She saw my phone (older, non-smart phone) and commented that she had the same one. I told her that when I was her age we didn't have cell phones. She was beyond amazed and asked how did we communicate. I told her you carried change and looked for a pay phone, or called your friends at home and made plans. We survived and life was just fine.

Here are the 7 reasons that Joshue gives on why we should unplug and power off:

1. Powering-down helps remove unhealthy feelings of jealousy, envy, and loneliness. Researchers recently discovered that one in three people felt worse after visiting Facebook and more dissatisfied with their lives....Powering-down for a period of time provides opportunity to reset and refocus appreciation and gratitude for the lives we have been given.
2. Powering-down combats the fear of missing out. Scientifically speaking, the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) has been recognized as a recently emerging psychological disorder brought on by the advance of technology. The premise is simple. Our social media streams are ever-filled with everything happening all around us....Turning off social media and finding contentment in our present space is a welcome skill.
3. Solitude is harder to find in an always-connected world. Solitude grounds us to the world around us. It provides the stillness and quiet required to evaluate our lives and reflect on the message in our hearts. In a world where outside noise is coming quicker and louder than ever, the need for solitude becomes more apparent… and easier to overlook. True solitude and meditation will always require the intentional action of shutting off the noise and the screens.
4. Life, at its best, is happening right in front of you. Our world may be changing. But the true nature of life is not. Life, at its best, is happening right in front of you. These experiences will never repeat themselves. These conversations are unfiltered and authentic. And the love is real. But if we are too busy staring down at our screen, we’re gonna miss all of it.
5. Powering-down promotes creation over consumption. Essentially, most of our time is spent in one of two categories: consuming or creating. Certainly, technology can contribute to creating. For example, this article was written (created) on a computer. But most of the time we spend in front of technology is spent consuming (playing video games, browsing the Internet, watching movies, listening to music). But our world doesn’t need more consuming. It needs more creating. It needs your passion, your solution, and your unique contribution. Power-down. And begin contributing to a better world because of it.
6. Addiction can only be understood when the object is taken away. Through a recent technological fast, I learned something about myself. I learned I am far more addicted to technology than I would have guessed. But that is the nature of addiction, isn’t it? We can never fully realize our level of addiction until the item is taken away. And the only way to truly discover technology’s controlling influence on your life is to turn it off, walk away, and sense how strong the pull is to turn it back on.
7. Life is still about flesh, blood, and eye contact. There are valuable resources online to help us grow and evolve. I have been enriched by the connections I have made and the friends I have met. But no matter how much I interact with others through the miracle of technology, there is something entirely unique and fantastic about meeting face-to-face. The experience of looking another person in the eye without the filter of a screen changes everything. Each time, I am reminded that life’s most fulfilling relationships are the ones in the world right in front of me. And spending too much time looking away from them does a great disadvantage to my soul and theirs.

My Pledge to Unplug 

Here and now I am making a pledge to unplug myself from technology more and here is how I am going to do it:

• Turn the TV on only when I know I have a show I would like to watch or I plan to watch a recording.  No more turning the TV on when I am bored and need something to do. When I do that I end up watching crap or reruns of shows that I like, but have already seen.

• Pick up a book. I have a huge stack of books that I want to read. I need to start reading them. My goal is to choose 1 evening a week where I sit and read instead of turning to technology. 

• Eat at the dinner table. There are multiple reasons why eating at the table is better than in front of the TV. Unplugging and giving my eyes and ears a break is just one of them. 

some meals really require a table!

• Make sure the alarm on my phone is set about a half hour before getting into bed. By doing this I won't need to touch or look at my phone for 30 minutes before even getting into bed to read. There is nothing that important at that time of nice. The obvious exceptions are phone calls from family (in case of emergency).

• Knit and Craft more! I have so much yarn and so many knitting and craft projects I want to do. Although I do knit while I watch TV, it isn't easy to pay attention to just the knitting while the TV is on. I also want to get out of the house and interact with other who knit and craft. I am sure I can recommit one evening a week to go to "Knit Night" at my local knitting store (here is my Knitting Studio in Montpelier shout out!) and start up "Make Something Monday's" craft night with my sister!

livin' life face to face!

• Get Outside!! One of the reasons I live in Vermont is because I love every season VT has (even mud season!). I need to get outside more to play and breathe in the fresh air. My dog Odin also love the fresh air, and some would say he needs a little more exercise. :)

So here it is, my hopeful plan to unplug more.  I need to start living life more in the present and face to face. Life is far too short to waste it online.