From our Blog
Disconnecting from Being So Connected
This graphic In my local newspaper took my breath away:
(News and Observer, December 16, 2008)
I was drawn to the second and fourth boxes : “people will move seamlessly among artificial reality, virtual reality and real life.” Really? (No pun intended!) and “work and personal time will blend, allowing flexibility but less time off the clock.”
I have enough problems in my ‘real’ life, I don’t need to add virtual and artificial problems to the mix.
While I know this story is about a study conducted about the trends and possible futures, it did really set me back on my heels. I already see my husband doing the “blackberry prayer” all the time, hunched over his Blackberry, checking and responding to business emails. I find myself, coming back into the “office” one last time before going to bed, just to make sure everything is OK, that nothing needs to be handled. I see my kids addicted to their cell phones and text messages. And it is expected to get worse?
When do we unplug?
I am not advocating that we don’t need or enjoy these technological advances. I do both need them to do business and enjoy them myself! But I guess the reality of it all is that if we are going to be so connected, we have to become more intentional in our times of disconnectedness. What do you do to disconnect?
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Comments
I set aside a specific part of the day where I don’t use the cell phone. With all that goes on in busy lives I think we’ve gotten away from setting aside “quiet time.“ Just because we now have cell phones doesn’t make every call a must-answer - any more than it did when we let the answering machine pick it up!
For me it’s the drive home. My commute is relatively short compared to those of you living in large, traffic-choked areas - but I often travel. Instead of stressing about the drive, I plug in a favorite CD, and try to use that time to be technology free! After 8PM the only calls I pick up are the ones from family. There’s just no need to rehash work, talk to telemarketers, etc when I’m trying to unwind. Remember when Sunday was family day? I like to preserve that kind of time despite all the technologies of today.
I know what you mean, Jason. I was just in the NC mountains with my girls last weekend and our cells phones had “no network coverage!“ What a blessing! It felt wonderful to be “disconnected” for a short time. It’s not just the calls that interrupt life, it’s all the text messages, too. I admit I can screen a call, but have a hard time not just peaking at a text!