Disconnect to reconnect

Have you ever stopped to think about how plugged "in" we are that you don't realize that life is actually happening right in front of you. I've passed countless people looking at there phones instead of paying attention to their surroundings. I've seen the videos of people to involved in their phone that they walk into traffic or a pool or something that should have been completely obvious if their eyes were watching life instead of watching the phone. Same is true for drivers, I've can't count the amount of times I honked my horn because the car in front of me doesn't notice the green light or is so busy sending a text message that they start drifting into my lane. I've even overheard a Father say to his teenage son while sitting at a restaurant that if he continued to stare at his phone instead of be part of the dinner he can be left at home. My 5 year old nice recently saw a telephone for the first time and wanted to know what it was. She lives in a world where there are only cellphones.

Technology is a great tool but often with great things it can be misused or abused. Facebook is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family but it can also be a time suck. On average most people send about 50 minutes on Facebook alone daily. Add in other social media outlets and that number quickly gets over 2 to 3 hours depending on age.
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This video has over 49 million views on YouTube. I think it shows a perfect example of what we see a lot when we look up from our mobile devices. The simple act of enjoying life has been pushed aside with distractions of the virtual world. So what are we to do?? Well we organize burn parties and destroy all the technology. Okay, maybe that is a bit extreme and bad for the environment but we can minor changes in our days. There are many articles out there that discuss just this idea. Below are some of my favorites.

1.) Digital Diet: Specifically a social media diet. FOMO: The Fear Of Missing Out, and thanks to social media it's real. Turn off alerts on our phone to help limit the amount your online or delete the App completely. While I have Facebook I didn't install it's companion FaceBook Messenger on my phone. Also try limiting the amount you post to every other day or so. Facebook was a way to stay in contact with friends and family not a digital diary to spew your inner most thoughts, well at least in my opinion it isn't.

2.) Chose a day: Tech free Sunday? Mellow Monday? Chose a day where you limit technology. I've done this in the past and found Sunday is best for me. Enjoy morning coffee while reading the newspaper ( yes the actual physical one). Family games in the afternoon or maybe a hike at a local park. Chose a day that works best for you even if you can set aside only part of the day. When I've done this I've been amazed at how productive I am that day.

3.) Device hub: New house rule. No Phone in the bedroom. It sounds harsh doesn't it. Try it and you might just thank me. It's been said many times in recent years. Technology right up to and in bed is bad. You get better sleep when you slow back away from the tech world. Try and give the digital world up at least 30 minutes before bed. It's a great way to reconnect with a love one at the end of the day. I've tried it myself with my husband and we found it enjoyable. We both clearly have each other's attention and focus. What a great way to end the day with a love one by giving them your attention instead of a phone.

4.) Eat without Electronics: That's right you can do it! I know you can! It's simple but sounds hard. Eat a meal without technology. That's right a single meal without a phone check. No email, no social media, no taking a picture of your meal and posting it online. Just eating and being mindful of what your eating. Same goes when you with friends. Come on you know someone in your friend group. You know that one person that can't make it 10 minutes without looking at their phone for some reason. I have a friend that is really good about being in the moment. If we are out getting coffee or getting a meal she often shuts her phone off. OFF! It was shocking the first time I saw her do it but quickly realized that she is completely giving me her attention. Wow, when's the last time you had that with someone.

5.) Make this simple. So you can't make it through a stop light without checking the phone? Make it more difficult to reach the phone. For me, my phone goes in my purse which goes in the backseat of the car. Gentlemen, you probably don't have a purse but if you travel with with briefcase it the same idea or try putting it in the center console of the car. Out of reach out of mind. With the phone not in easy reach I'm more mindful of my surroundings, like the soccer mom in the van coming crossing into my lane of traffic cause she is busy texting and driving.

6.) Inform others: Let other in your life know you are cutting back. Don't send me a message on Facebook if you need my immediate attention, call or text me. If you don't have my number I guess maybe we should work on a few things then. Planning on not answering your phone during certain hours, make it know. I do this and my best friend that loves the idea. When she is working 3rd shift she can get me did bits about her day and know that I'm not being disturbed by alerts. I have the  Do Not Disturb feature turned on my phone from 11pm to 9am daily.


Just trying a few of these ways even if just for a few days or a week to test the idea out and see how it goes. Maybe it's easy for you but maybe you discover how much you're plugged in without realizing it. Disconnecting will give you something real back in you life. You may also know that you feel a little less stressed or that your able to concentrate better at the task at hand. Whatever you find I hope you find a little bit of the real you that may have been missing in the digital world.