Life is really hectic, we seem to need to do a hundred things at once and technology has enabled us to do that. But sometimes the technology that we rely on our day to day tasks actually gets in the way of us doing what we actually want to do. I can recall countless times when me and my friends are all sitting around a table together – a perfect opportunity for any interesting or meaningful conversation. However, instead of conversation flowing we are sat there on our smart phones – checking email, texts etc until someone makes a comment about it and all one can hear are faint smirks from everyone around the room. Obviously this sort of behaviour doesn’t happen all the time, and we are not inept of conversation but sometimes I feel mobile phones can get in the way.
My mobile phone usually stops me from focusing on the task at hand. So today I decided to continue reading my book but I’m going to leave my mobile at home today as well as my iPod and my laptop. How often have you had days when you’ve just switched off from your digital self? From my experience today it was very beneficial. I spent 5 hours in a coffee shop with uninterrupted reading from updates, calls and texts. The hot chocolate and carrot cake was yummy too! But aren’t you afraid that you’ll miss out on something? I hear you say. Well, I was a little bit worried but when I came back to turn on my laptop I had not missed out on anything important and I saved myself hours of endlessly refreshing my Facebook/emails. Instead it gave me three benefits:
- Less stuff to carry; all I had on me was my book and a £10 note for drinks.
- Complete focus on what I love doing; without the needless distractions.
- A more productive and fulfilling day.
I believe everyone should give their digital selves a rest every so often. It allows us to reflect and calm our minds and inner soul. Are you ready to unplug?
I think it’s great you did that Tim. I think we all need to spend a day away from our computers, mobiles and watches etc. I might give that a try one of these days and go somewhere quiet to just think about things or write in my journal or even have a hot chocolate like you did. I use my mobile phone as a thing to know what time it is but when you are going to have a relaxing day away from technology why do you need to know the time? You have inspired me Tim.
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed reading this article! That day was very relaxing indeed and I should do more of them when I can. I think it’s important for us to take time out for ourselves and lose ourselves in a good book, or in the natural environment around us. I use to carry my phone on me for the time but since I’ve got a watch I can easily run around with day to day errands without having to carry my phone with me but I agree that you don’t need to worry about the time when trying to relax. Our society has become too obsessed with a fast pace of life and rarely take the time to fully relax our bodies and minds. I’m glad you’ve been inspired by this, let me know how your digital breaks go
You’re so right, Tim. I’ve been thinking about this – why DO we create all these distractions for ourselves? I don’t know. I *often* feel the impulse to check my phone, e-mail, play Brick Breaker, rather than just be calm and be with my thoughts. I don’t ever /feel/ the impulse to do that, I just have to force myself to do so. I’ve been wondering what life was like before so many distractions developed. Certainly, there were distractions (gossip, social drama, etc.), but a living a pre-modern life without Facebook, the Internet, a cell phone, one telephone for a whole house used only ICE? Eek. It’s strange that we as a culture constantly wish for more peace and quiet, and more time, but are denying ourselves that all the time.