I see you on that smart phone. Or maybe it’s a tablet or a laptop.
Hey, I’m all about technology. I can find information in a flash, connect with my best friend from elementary school and laugh at pointless cat videos until my sides hurt.
But I can also miss out on the most important parts of my life because my face is in a screen for hours.
I have decided to do something about that problem.
I start my day WITHOUT technology and as a result I am much more peaceful, joyful, productive and engaged than before.
My commitment was strengthened recently when I read a fascinating book by Travis Cody called Cure Overwhelm Now: Slash the Stress, Get More Done… and Have More Fun
. (HERE in “Books I Love”.) The forward reads:
“This book chronicles Travis Cody’s addiction, detox and ultimate escape from heroin.
Oops, it wasn’t heroin. I meant internet and cell phones.”
Travis, a successful Hollywood development executive and online entrepreneur, shares his radical choice to give up all technology including his cell phone, television, radio and computers for 30 days. The book includes his journal entries from the 30 day journey, his reflections after the fact and current scientific research on how technology affects us.
Some of the findings are astounding such as the fact that our dependence on technology is physically re-wiring our brains and is literally as addictive as heroin or crack cocaine. We are more forgetful, distracted, impatient and unproductive than ever before because we can’t put down our phones.
I currently have a smartphone and a tablet, and I spend a lot of time on my laptop and home computer as well, so I make it a priority to have daily tech-free time first thing in the morning. I started with a few basic principles that might help you as well.
Move Your Devices
In preparation for an awesome technology-free morning I moved my devices outside of my room to charge at night. I also set a cut-off time and stopped using them while I was in the bed. This helps me to sleep better and wake up feeling rested, and so far I have been able to stick to my plan most nights during the week.
Charging the electronics outside of my room also prevents me from automatically checking them first thing in the morning. If I actually have to move to get the device I’m reminded of my commitment to use it less.
If you’re thinking that you won’t be able to wake up without your phone alarm, buy an alarm clock. You can pick one up for around $5-$10 at most discount stores.
Create a New Routine
Most people with cell phones leave them on overnight and check them first thing in the morning (and maybe even during the night). I have found that I have to purposely plan to do some tasks before I check the interwebs or my day starts with a huge dose of nonsense.
I try to read, journal and exercise before I log on. Even sitting in a comfy chair for a few minutes is a better way to start your day. The key is to have a plan for what you will do before you grab your phone or sit down at the computer.
Remember What’s Really Important
Starting my day without technology reminds me that life outside of the virtual world is what is truly important. I know I will step on some toes here but seriously, is checking out what your friend posted on Facebook or what your favorite blogger is doing on her Instagram more important than focusing on your life and your family?
As moms it’s really important to have outlets and down time, but I have to check constantly to make sure that my “outlets” are not out of balance and causing me to miss what’s going on in my kids’ lives.
In addition to tech-free mornings I have started celebrating Wifi-Less Wednesdays.
About a year ago I began limiting my screen time on Sundays and the extended time away from the internet and technology refreshes me. I enjoyed it so much that I have added an additional day during the week where I avoid my blog, social media and anything technology related. Last week I actually made it 8 hours before I gave in and checked my email.
During this time I visit a local botanical garden, take a walk in the park, do artwork, play a game with my kids or just hang out and talk with them. I am a much better person because of it too.
If you’d like to join in for Wifi-less Wednesdays (or Sundays or weekday mornings or any other amount of time), leave a comment saying when you will put down the phone, the tablet and the laptop to engage in your life.
Look, it won’t be easy at first to break away from the lure of social media and the internet, but I am finding that it is well worth it. By the way, the more difficult it is, the more likely that you are addicted. Life doesn’t actually exist on Instagram, ya’ know.
[Read here what happened when I made a consistent effort to stay off my devices.]
photo credits: tungphoto; Witthaya Phosawat; FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I have been addicted to the internet for over 20 years . It gets better at times, but lately it has really destroyed my creativity and my success in my daily household responsibilities. I feel like I read this email at just the right time. Everyday I think I will do better, but then I get stressed or bored and I run back to it again.
I am going to try for cutback Wednesdays with at least two hours off each day.
I’m so happy for you Debra! It takes a huge commitment, but we can do it. 🙂
I have a problem of checking emails and FB first thing in the morning….sometimes even before I get out of bed. I plan to try and stay off my phone first thing in the mornings. I have realized lately that I do spend too much time on my phone just playing games and I could be doing something more productive…cleaning out a drawer or reading a book. Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome Meredith! I love that you are taking action. 🙂
I love the idea of paring down on internet and phone usage, especially in the mornings. I always check email and facebook first thing in the morning and then through out the day. I will take the advice to charge my phone outside the bedroom at night and plan to do other things first. Looking forward to seeing a little less stress and more focus in my life!
Woohoo! Welcome to the tech-free party Heather!
I love this idea, Kimberlee! I don’t have a smartphone, but I do have a Kindle that has become an extension of my hand. I think I will give this up not only on Wednesdays but also an hour before bed. I’m not reading books on it, not much anyways. It’s the games that get me and the internet surfing. Perhaps with this found time, I can actually finish reading a book in good time, or zone out with Zentangle. You had mentioned in one of your emails that you used to randomly browse Pinterest. That’s what I do on Amazon. So, I’m following your lead and vowing to make my browsing more purposeful. 🙂
Woohoo – awesome Gail!
Hi Kimberlee,
I work full time, so I would normally go on Facebook in the morning before work for about 30 minutes and for a couple hours in the evening. I decided I needed to make a change when my 18 year old daughter, commented that I was addicted to playing games on Facebook. So this week after reading your blog and listening to my daughter’s comment I decided to make an experiment. Monday, I limited my time on Facebook and I was able to put together a file cart that had been in a box in my room for weeks, put away laundry, and organize a corner in my room. Tuesday, we moved the computer into my daughter’s bedroom. So I didn’t go on Facebook at all. And I went to a church barbecue with my daughter in the evening and normally, I would come home and go on Facebook. Instead I cleaned the kitchen and chatted with my daughter.
Wednesday, I didn’t go on Facebook at all, after work I met with a friend to give her somethings I had been putting off making time to give her. A friend invited me over for dinner. When I got home I had a long conversation with my daughter about her day at the fair with her friends. I didn’t realize how much I missed talking to her about her day. What a difference not going on Facebook makes.
Amazing isn’t is? Thanks for taking the time to share your story Esther. It will be an encouragement to lots of people I am sure.
I have also the last few weeks to month been working on reducing my screen time or technology time. I have unfollowed (just like you) all those with negative posting all the time. In fact I have unfollowed pretty much everyone but my family and very close friends, it has cut my FB time tremendously and now I am not missing the cute pics of my cousins little ones!! I also focus on not being on the computer on Saturdays as that is the only day our family is all together with no one having to work, we are getting lots more done together.
Thanks for pointing out another benefit Darlene – if there are fewer people you follow there are fewer posts, right?
I decided about two or three months ago to get off facebook. I closed my account and it has been the best decision I ever made. I no longer waste time reading the goings on in other people’s lives,while missing what is going on around me. I have to be proactive in my relationships and deliberately contact people to find out how they are. I am no
longer frustrated or angry about others opinions displayed over facebook and I have realised that I can still keep up with my family and friends in a deliberate and constructive way.
Super idea Glynis! My sister has recently done the same thing and I am severely limiting my time there and unfollowing people who are consistently negative.
Hi Kimberlee, great post. I actually recently got a new phone and upgraded for free to a newer and different model. It stopped working so I was issued a replacement. I went without a phone for 7 days! It seemed weird at first, but then I kind of found myself enjoying the break and wondered what God might be trying to teach me through this. In the couple weeks leading up to it not working, I had found myself feeling more attached and almost addicted to email, web surfing and the like. I consider it a blessing that it died and I could see what is was like to not have it. I have also now made it a point to disconnect and set it down when I feel I am using it too often. Moderation is the key! 🙂
Thanks for sharing that Mara. Sometimes we think we are controlling the technology in our life but in reality it is controlling us, right?
I am posting this to hold myself accountable: I want to set a small list of tasks to accomplish every day before I log on. I need to avoid what you worded so well: starting my day with a “huge dose of nonsense”! Thank you!
Awesome! Welcome Cathleen!
I started charging my smart phone in the kitchen on January 1 and it’s made my mornings so much better. I don’t get sucked into reading emails instead of getting the day going. It’s nice to “sit down” with the kids with a free, uncluttered brain. My only exception is when the hubby is traveling for work since he’s usually in Europe or Asia and I like to IM with him before falling asleep and my middle of the night is sometimes the only chance for us to talk. However, as soon as he is back home the phone goes right back to the kitchen. Heaven!
I say Yes to wi Fi less Wednesdays:). I do believe it makes us more edgy! I believe I have used the Internet for escaping. These wi Filess Wednesdays will help me to evaluate my priorities:)
Woohoo! Thanks for joining in Jane Ann. 🙂
You are a smart woman Heather!
I work in technology and I do like the breaks from it. I did go on vacation for a week, limited cell service and internet, no tv, was great! instead of watching tv before going to sleep I had more time to read. I do need to keep my cell with me during the night for emergency purposes. But I know I need more time to do more creative stuff and staying off of the computer will help.
Hi Diana! Yes, I have found that staying away from technology definitely helps me to do more creative projects which makes me happier. 🙂
Love this post, and I applaud your commitment. I pretty much go wifi free on Sunday, although I have been accustomed to check mail Sunday evening. Maybe it is time to pull the plug and stick with it till Monday.
Of course, here I am, posting Sunday morning, because I checked mail first thing. I’ll try to take a true Sabbath the rest of the day.
Can’t do Wednesday, due to business commitments. I will try to do Sunday for real, and then see what I understand about the rest of the week.
Thanks for joining in Katherine! Let me know how it goes. 🙂
I was out of town and out of wi-fi for 5 days. I could use data on my phone but I hate to do that as it costs me money in the long run. I only checked basic FB, and my email a couple of times and guess what? I survived. yet now I am home and have been on facebook, blogs, email, etc every day. I am thinking “FB free Friday” has a nice ring to it and maybe for my kids : “minecraft free Mondays”. Thanks for making me think.
i also like the idea of a notebook/journal about he journey of being technology/electronics free. I love to write and have gotten out of the habit. I think I need to write on paper before logging on and writing posts and comments.”I will not go without screen time completely as I read a lot on my kindle and I use youtube as my workout videos.
Welcome to the tech-free party Emilie! 🙂
Thank you for this post! I get on to my kids frequently about the amount of time they spend on their phones but I am just as guilty. I have been looking at it first thing in the morning which has resulted in me not having my quiet time of journaling/bible reading/prayer and wasting time looking at junk. I am going to put my phone on “do not disturb” from 8p – 6p. This will allow me to not be tempted to look at my phone when I hear any notifications. Also I am going to do my best to go technology free on Wednesday and Sunday.
Thanks for joining us Rita – We can do this!
Sounds challenging, but a definite need in my life. And I do have an alarm clock….hiding in my basement yard sale pile! Think I may drag it out and charge my phone outside of my bedroom…I struggle with checking my FB and email first thing in the morning too. Thanks for the tips, and the challenge! I’m in! 🙂
Welcome Maria! We can do this!
Wow! This is a great article (and timely, too). Yesterday, I got fed up with the kids’ usage of electronic gadgets so far this summer and declared the day “Technology-free Tuesday”. I have four children ranging in age from 14-4, yesterday was tough, but we can surviv without technology. Thank you for the reminder of what technology can do to our brains and the support to keep up the weekly technology strike. 🙂
Good for you LizyBeth for being proactive. Love the idea of “Technology-free Tuesday” – maybe we will start having two weekdays without electronics. 🙂
I decided a few months back to make Sundays a no computer day. I admit I have slipped a few days when things got busy and we were trying to plan things. And since summer started, I have decided to make connecting to God first thing my priority. I read the bible while i wait for the kettle to boil and somemore after I have the warm lemon water. My kids are still pretty quiet and I can actually absorb the word. I will join in on wifiless wednesday! Sounds great to me.
I have been trying to get myself away from “gadgets” more lately, too. Sometimes I “hide” my phone upstairs during the day for periods of time so I don’t have the temptation of checking it. I think about how life was years ago before all of this… it definitely had some pluses!
I am all aboard ! And nervous too. But I totally believe you are spot on. Thanks for the challenge and let it begin. I’m going to go WiFi-less Wednesday.
We can do it Beverly!
Most of my Sundays are tech-free. I hadn’t realized that I was doing it really, but the Sundays I do make an effort to STAY off-line once I’ve started out that way have been much more restorative and peaceful. I feel as if they are more like what observing the Sabbath is about. I am going to keep doing this more consciously every Sunday.
Good for you Dineen! I hope your Sunday’s are a peaceful spot in your week.