What would happen if you were completely unplugged no cell, computer, or internet for a day? For a week? For a month? Most of us take our ubiquitous access to technology for granted these days. Our ability to check email, post to Facebook, take a call from just about anywhere has become addictive, and believe me… I’m an addict.
I’ve been called the Gadget Girl because I love playing with and learning about new technology… (I did just give myself and my husband Apple Watches as a reward & celebration for publishing the book.) However, I have also learned the value of Tech-Free Time. In fact, this topic is covered in one of the chapters of Inspired Action. And here’s the key I’ve found: We have the ability to get more aware and intentional about how we’re using technology.
Sometimes that awareness gets inspired by a complete digital detox from a tech-free trip, but it doesn’t have to wait for that. We can get curious about how we’re using technology even in our daily lives, right here and now.
So, let me give you a glimpse into my thinking…
They’re Tools, Not Toys
Sure, I spent a fair amount of time playing with my new Apple watch, learning how it works, and all the things it can do. But, once that initial fervor of learning has passed, then the focus becomes what can it do for me. How can it make my life easier, simpler, or better? How can I leverage this tool to make something that normally would take 5 steps only involve 1 or 2? Or how can it prompt me to do something that I would normally forget or ignore?
Where it’s easy to get into trouble is when the technology becomes a replacement for interacting with the rest of our lives and the people who matter. If you’re scrolling through Facebook while out to dinner with your sweetheart… that’s when the warning bells need to be going off. I’m not saying that I’ve never done this… I’m human after all and make all the same mistakes. However, my aim is to catch myself and remember “Tool, not toy” as often as possible.
If I’m lost in an article from Twitter rather than enjoying the beautiful sunset in front of me… that’s another wake up call. Brian and I are spending a month away from the New England cold and enjoying the warmth of California and Florida this February. So, sunsets and scenery are high on our life enjoyment lists at the moment. That also means we’re really grateful for having our phone cameras right in our pockets, and we’re using Waze to navigate the unfamiliar roads frequently. It’s also great to let our friends share in our fun virtually with a few Facebook posts. But, the focus is on dip in and step out to maximize our presence and enjoyment.
Another great example of tech as tool, not toy: A couple days ago we went to visit the Getty Villa, and we were thrilled to discover that they offered self-guided iPod tours. You borrow their little iPod and headphones during your visit (while they hold your driver’s license) and get to learn more about the villa, gardens, and art at whatever pace and in whatever order you want!
What a great way for technology to deepen the experience and allow us to learn more. It even freed us up to experience the place very individually. My focus was on learning about the house, architecture, and gardens first, whereas Brian wanted to start with the art. So, we each went off and had a wonderful time listening to the audio tour via their iPods, then came back together over dinner to talk about what we saw and enjoyed most.
Tech-Free Time
In the Tech-Free Time chapter of Inspired Action, I focus on how to create and protect some tech-free time in our tech-driven lives. In other words, stepping completely away from our technology. Brian and I experienced the realities of tech-free time during a week-long camping trip in Squamish, British Columbia back in 2012. No internet, cell phones, no electricity. However, since then we’ve also realized that it can been challenging and awkward sometimes to make this possible unless you’re going into the woods for a week or traveling to a foreign country without roaming service or wifi. However, it can also be renewing and refreshing to give ourselves the gift of tech-free time at home during our daily lives.
What might that look like? What if you didn’t turn on your phone, computer, or TV for a whole day? What might you choose to do? Take a walk or a bike ride, go out exploring someplace new with friends, read a good book, work on a crafty or artistic project. I think it’s easy in our “always on” lives to forget all the ways of having fun and being entertained beyond the screens.
How might your life be different if you dedicated one day a week to screen-free time? If that’s too much, then what about 1 day/mo or 1 day/quarter? Heck, just start with trying it out for 1 day, and get curious about what you could choose to do with your time and attention.
My fascination with screen-free time was inspired partially by my aunt and uncle who introduced me to their Conservative Jewish practice of not touching or interacting with anything electric on the Sabbath. Then, it was deepened after reading William Power’s book Hamlet’s Blackberry: Building a Good Life in the Digital Age which explores the evolution of Western technology and our interactions with it starting from the Ancient Greeks.
Whether you choose to embrace increasing the tech-free time in your life or not, I think now in the 21st century we all have the responsibility to become more conscious and aware of what technology is bringing into our lives and what it might be taking away. We can choose to use it intentionally to improve our lives and make conscious choices to limit its impact in other areas. An intentional approach can find the balance to avoid many of the dystopian visions of possible technological futures and embrace the power such innovation can offer.
Next Steps
If you’re ready to create more tech-free time in your life, then start by just choosing a day to turn off all the screens. You can keep it just that simple. (If you want a more advanced strategy, then pick up Inspired Action.)
If you’re not quite sure about tech-free days yet, then how about just tech-free activities?
For instance, what if you made the decision to keep your phone silent and in your pocket whenever you’re spending time with other people. Give yourself the gift of focusing on the relationships whether professional or personal, and let tech take a back seat for a little while.
It’s fine to start small with just becoming more aware each time you go reaching for a screen and pause to consider – tool or toy? What might my other options in the moment be? Awareness is the first step to start living with greater intention each day.
