Well the first week of the tech turn off challenge was indisputably a solid win. I finished out the week by logging off early from work (early for me which is actually deemed late in the standard work day) so I could make dinner and watch a movie with my family. My kids got along (except when they didn’t), we were patient throughout their antics (except when we weren’t), and my two-year old loved the movie (except when she sat on my head, fell on the dog, ran around taking her clothes off, and had a tantrum because someone touched a toy she hadn’t looked at for three weeks). It was nice and as relaxing as we could hope for given the age range under this roof.
It’s definitely been an eye opener of a week, and I am going to see how long I can keep it in play. I’ve watched more movies, made more dinners, and done less overtime. I’ve even read half of an actual book and showered daily! I recognize that those should not be challenges for the normal world, but I still won’t let you steal my literate so fresh and so clean clean moment.
These devices are serious double-edged swords. They are convenient, fun and entertaining, but they are also tremendously distracting, invasive and impersonal. We believe that they help us connect with others, but they can also be a serious wedge in our personal relationships. And if we know anything about wedges, it’s that we must pick them when they start to dig in. Wedge wisdom. You’re welcome.
Consider trying a one week tech turn off. Try it for one hour or even thirty minutes. It may shock you to realize how much you really are missing by making sure that you stay by your phone to avoid just that. And if nothing changes, you can tell me.how totally wrong I am, and that’s always fun, too! Who doesn’t like shoving a good eyeroll back at their fellow well-meaning man/woman. You have nothing to lose. (But you do have a lot to gain!)
Momentum of Joy 
Jul 04, 2017 @ 00:51:00
I’m currently on a Tech diet to see if I can sort my anxiety levels out. No Twitter and no phones/laptops after dinnertime. *twitch* 🙂
Jul 04, 2017 @ 10:17:34
Thankfully I couldn’t get into tweeting. I think I’m just too verbose. So do you shut down cold turkey after dinner? Nothing until morning? Now my own eye is twitching just thinking about it!
Jul 04, 2017 @ 02:19:39
In my ‘very humble opinion’ the worst part to the challenge could be coming through the ‘why do we have to mum it’s boring’ stage’, but would I be right saying after a while the ‘chore’ becomes a habit everyone get’s used to, becomes part of a families new routine and then finally everyone’s comfortable understanding ‘this is what quality family time feels like!’………….everything’s switched off for however long.
I was chatting on the phone to my brother and he said he’s been out to dinner where everyone agrees to put their phone in the middle of the table, and the first one to pickup pays for everyone’s meal!
Jul 04, 2017 @ 11:34:18
That is an epic idea! I love the dinner idea! And I dreaded the boredom complaint more than I can tell you. The thing that stunned me (and broke my heart at the same time) was that even though they initially resisted the idea, they soon became the ones reminding me of the time. They WANT to spend time with us. They even seem to like us and enjoy us. I can hear “Cat’s in the Cradle” playing in my head and I feel such regret. I would have never imagined that small humans would prefer to hang with big humans instead of small electronics.
It makes me sick to my stomach to admit all of that, but it’s true.
Jul 04, 2017 @ 12:13:14
No regrets. 🙂
Jul 04, 2017 @ 02:26:47
😀 There just might be an eBook here!
Jul 04, 2017 @ 11:36:05
Translated from English to English and read by dozens!!! Lol 😂
Jul 04, 2017 @ 04:42:18
This is a fascinating journey to follow, Jo. I think many believe that ‘others’ are addicted to tech, ‘but not me!’ You’ve inspired me to take a fresh look at my habits. Happy 4th–may you have a fun, tech-free day with your family!!
Jul 04, 2017 @ 11:40:23
I’m the first to admit that I have a tech addiction. Now. Not before. I honestly did not realize how bad it was. And I hope that you have a beautiful 4th, too! We have so much to be thankful for and to enjoy. (P.S. I include you in my list of major things to be thankful for!). 🤗
Jul 04, 2017 @ 11:57:18
I think there are others who have the bug worse than I do, but I’m not sure that’s saying a lot. 😜 I am definitely trying to be more mindful, and I’m grateful for you, too!💕
Jul 04, 2017 @ 10:23:33
Congratulations, one week done. You got wedgies hehehe.. And you got to shower daily?? And that’s a plus point for you 😂😂😂😂😂 woman, shower everyday, tech or no tech…
Jul 04, 2017 @ 11:43:41
Before kids, I showered two or three times a day. I love clean clothes and clean smelling everything. Now I’m happy if my socks don’t smell like bananas. Seriously. My kids have invaded my clean zone. (And they have conquered it.)
Jul 04, 2017 @ 11:44:35
Hahaha, mommy dearest. Cleanliness is next to godliness and all that blah blah blah
Jul 04, 2017 @ 11:52:10
I say “Wire hangers!!!!” whenever my husband calls me out on my over the top obsessions. I’ve never understood the whole cleanliness godliness association. Maybe if they added “the scent of…” in front of cleanliness??
Jul 04, 2017 @ 11:56:46
Hahaha you can’t get away with only the scent, that’s why the deo and perfume industry is running a profit… And you are contributing to that..
Maybe people understand God more, god is essential so by the same formula god= important = cleanliness
Hahaha I am making a mess of the explanation