I used to be really committed to taking a tech-free day every week. This was a day that didn’t allow for TV, computers or cell phone conversations. I was working A LOT of hours back then so it was an absolute necessity to take those days. But when I started working less, I kind of dropped the ball on this.
I’m thinking about instituting these tech-free days in my life again. I think it’s really important for me to unplug sometimes. The computer is the big problem. I spend pretty much all day on my computer. If I’m not working or reading or researching online then I’m watching Internet TV or playing Internet games.
I feel like if I turned this stuff off for an entire day every week, I’d get to do more of the things that I say that I want to do. I’d go wander around the city more. I’d do the creative projects that are always only half done around here. I’d sit still with myself.
I’m having a tough time re-committing to this though. I’m not sure what my hesitation is. I suppose that I should probably just take the leap.
Does anyone else do this?
Taking Tech-Free Days has 5 Comments
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July 17th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
It’s impossible, for me, to unplug from technology altogether. I do make an effort to minimize the computer time on the weekends, but I’ll still use my phone for communication and TV/iPod for entertainment. For me, it’s more about disconnecting and getting away from work than it is about eschewing anything with silicone chips in it.
@ Michael Kwan – Makes sense. I think it’s important that we find which things work best for us.
July 17th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I did something similar for Lent this year: I gave up the use of my computer beyond 8:00pm every night. There were times when I felt this was causing more stress than it was relieving — as I found myself rushing home from work in order to get as much freelancing done as possible before 8:00pm, or before rushing off to a meeting at 7:00pm. But the exercise was good for me. It helped me prioritize and streamline. It gave me more opportunities to read, go for walks, rent movies, and/or get to bed on time. And I think it allowed me to sort of step back and consider what projects are worth investing so much of my life into.
@ Melanie – Sounds like a project that was worth trying out!
July 20th, 2009 at 7:39 am
I do something similar, but different. For one thing, I couldn’t do a whole day. I’m a college student and being plugged in is what we do absolutely best. But, it does tend to get overwhelming that I am so connected and I don’t have any time to myself. So I make it a priority to every once in a while (it’s not in a regular basis, but I’d say like every three days), to turn off my cell phone, go offline on facebook, sign out of skype and msn (all those only necessary if I still need to use my computer for homework or whatever) and basically make myself unreachable except for someone coming and knocking on my door. It’s a time that I need whole heartedly to recharge my batteries since so many people depend on me. Just knowing that I’m not on call 24/7 helps me, because often times, I am on call 24/7 for a friend who needs me.
@ Miss Lissy – So glad to hear that you’re doing it!
July 20th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I chuckle softly to myself when anyone uses words like “can’t” and “impossible” when they talk about disconnecting, even for an entire day…AN ENTIRE DAY!!! WE’LL ALL BE KILLED!!!!!! Right, wrong, or indifferent, you choose to stay connected. I started college back in the Dark Ages (the early 90′s…you know, before widespread internet and cell phone availability), and I somehow managed to keep up with all my friends and social engagements. We are blessed/cursed with so many more tools at our fingertips now that many people don’t remember what life was like without them.
I recently had to go an entire month without internet service in my home, and it was liberating in a way. Luckily, the public library has free wireless access, so I wasn’t totally disconnected
. Since having the internet restored in my home, I’m having to seriously discipline myself to stay focused with so many distractions available to me again. I’m thinking a tech-free day may be the perfect thing to recharge my batteries. Heck, I may even institute tech-free weekends around here. There’s no stopping me now….muahahaha!!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:27 am
[...] so she’s trying to commit to a strategy for a better life-work balance. She’s trying to take tech-free days, completely eschewing the attraction of the computer, cell phone, and even the television! While I [...]