I really don’t want to make a big scene about this endeavor
either. Because it is simply about me – not my social network, not the one person
who might read this blog – me. However, I do want to capture my unfiltered
thoughts and emotions about it to reflect on in the future. And I would like to
recruit some people to try it out with me. So, I’ve decided to blog about it,
which I know is a little ironic.
The New Year is the time to reflect on the past year and
what you want for the coming year. What better way to do so than to reconnect
with your family, your friends and your thoughts by unplugging from the very
thing that distracts you from that the most?! There are a lot of great things
that technology has brought us; I am not here to argue against that. I just
realize how captivated I have become by it and I am a little annoyed with
myself about it.
So, here’s the deal. These are the parameters that I have
decided to set up for myself:
I have decided to try this for 7 days, which I think will be
challenging enough to make worth it. I won’t be able to unplug 100% because all
of my work is done on the computer. So, as far as work goes, I will only use my
computer, internet and e-mail when expressly necessary to accomplish work. This
means, that I will turn off my messenger and will eliminate any personal
e-mails or electronic communication that can be done via telephone instead.
Other than work, I will not use a computer. That means absolutely no computer
or electronic games. I have decided that telephone and radio is allowed, but
that means radio in the car and telephone to have actual conversations with
people. As far as my iPhone, I plane to turn it on Airplane mode and will only
use it as a phone – no games, no texting, no e-mail, no Apps at all. I’ve
decided that also includes the camera on my phone. I may allow myself to use my
actual camera though, if I can even find it, lol. And lastly, I have also
decided to give up television. That may be the hardest thing, especially if my
hubby doesn’t decide to try this with me. Since I am not the only person in my house,
if the television does get turned on, I will try to be true to my goal here and
otherwise engage myself.
I don’t feel that I have set arbitrary boundaries. All of
this is nothing short of how I lived my life as a child, except the no TV
thing. I feel like I will be able to enrich my life and my relationships, even
in an arbitrary 7 day period. I want to unplug to reconnect. So, this all starts
at midnight on New Year’s Eve, which means no wishing happy New Years on
Facebook and no selfies of ringing in the New Year. I’m ready for it!
If you want to join me, even if it’s for a day or if you
have different rules and boundaries you’d like to set, please let me know.
There’s strength in numbers you know?!
