Perhaps you read the title and thought to yourself, “I’m going to read this post because I could definitely use a few mental reboot techniques.” If so, click elsewhere because this is not the post for you. It was more of a question than an exciting opportunity for neuro rejuvenation.
This question is the direct result of my own clear mental deactivation as evidenced by the recent brain bumbling and stumbling during one of my tech turn off challenges (now a.k.a. family time) (because it sounds a little less daunting) (and it also sounds like you’re a weasel if you tell other family members that you don’t want to participate).
At some point during our no technology family time, I decided that I want to run a calculation on something. The conundrum I faced was that I was not allowed to use my phones or computers. Hmmm. How was I going to do this. I sat contemplating other possible options that would be at my disposal yet not explicitly in violation of the challenge rules.
A-ha! I devised a plan! I could use one of my old business calculators. So I searched. And I searched. And I searched. There was no business calculator to be found. But a-ha once more because I could use one of my kids’ calculators from school! Surely that would do the trick! Irritatingly once more I failed to find a calculator after a few more minutes of searching.
I want to be making this nonsense up, and I want the story to end there. But I’m not and it doesn’t. Keep in mind, there was no impending meteor I needed to redirect and these numbers would be the key to Earth’s salvation. I just reeeally wanted to run this calculation. Also keep in mind that the calculation involved very basic math and that I do mathematics for a living (but via spreadsheets).
So I crept into my office and stared at my phone… There it was on my desk. Dark and quiet and oh so beautiful. Just sitting there. Waiting for me. Calling to me. “Joanna…I can do that basic math that your small human mind cannot comprehend…” Yes I hear you phone…
I turned it on. My heart was racing. I was so stressed about this because I was nanoseconds away from complete tech challenge anarchy. The phone was on and ready. I just stood there. I knew how disappointed I would be with myself if I used the phone. I was already thoroughly dismayed at witnessing the crazy I had achieved up to that moment. Would I completely blow past the line and full out break the rules for basic math that could wait?
Maybe. I might have. But then I remember an old set of tools I once used in my youth when I was faced a with mathematical question. I have a suspicion that you know what I am going to say, but no, it wasn’t an abacus. It was a frickin’ pencil and paper.
You cannot make this insanity up. I had literally forgotten that I could solve the math myself. I am a mathematician, and I am more than a little intelligent (or so I thought at some point prior to that moment). I had become so grossly accustomed to accessing my technological assistants whenever I needed an answer that I didn’t remember to use my own mental assistants. Based on the wildly embarrassing amount of time it took for me to recall such complex tools as “pencil and paper,” I’m thinking that those mental assistants of mine were either sleeping, picketing, or (most likely) assumed that they had been fired long ago based on lack of work.
The problem took twenty seconds to solve. Maybe less. I don’t know how long it had taken me to solve the problem of how I was going to solve the problem, but it was exponentially greater than twenty seconds.
We need to wake our brains back up! We have to stop leaning on our tech and allowing it to think for us.
Given that it is called the tech turn off challenge, it’s pretty clear that I did not operate entirely within the intended boundaries. Thankfully I did not access any of the tech functionality, and I learned a serious(-ly embarrassing yet eye-opening) lesson. I avoided using the phone. I also avoided admitting any of this to my family, as I learned that particular lesson years ago. Some things are best left unsaid (and posted to the internet because no one there sees anything ever???)…
In hindsight I have full confidence that the Universe was watching the whole scene while shaking its head back and forth and eating popcorn. You’re welcome Universe for the entertainment, and I thank you for the reminder in return.
Love, light and logic always – Joanna
Momentum of Joy 
Jul 13, 2017 @ 08:15:12
now I need to know what this calculation was!!! fun post.
Jul 13, 2017 @ 08:45:39
It’s too embarrasing JC4. Let me see if I still have the paper so I can attach that. If I can’t find the shameful evidence, I will respond once more with the calc.
Jul 13, 2017 @ 08:46:03
No stress! 🙂
Jul 13, 2017 @ 09:29:59
The pic of the calc is now at the bottom of the post. This isn’t the actual paper I used, but this is the calc.
Jul 13, 2017 @ 10:22:01
ah multiplication… fun stuff! 🙂
Jul 13, 2017 @ 08:17:15
😁glad you’re a mathematician. Can you sum up common core algebra II in 2 words?
Jul 13, 2017 @ 08:46:37
Bull sh**. (Does that work?) 😂😂😂
Jul 13, 2017 @ 08:47:49
I like when an expert agrees!
Jul 13, 2017 @ 08:57:02
Hopefully I can find a homework example for those who don’t understand what we are talking about or why it really is a huge problem.
Jul 13, 2017 @ 08:27:36
wow joanna we really rely on tech for everything dont we? i know i do anyway. being blind it does so much for me…dont know where i’d be with out my I phone. 🙂 glad you solved the problem though ❤ oxoxo
Jul 13, 2017 @ 12:52:30
LOL Great post!
Jo-Ann
Jul 13, 2017 @ 13:02:39
😵😵😵
Jul 13, 2017 @ 17:42:22
This was sooo cute … and sooo sadly true … we’ve all become unable to use our own ‘smarts’ to get things done. Thanks for reminding us in a wonderfully fun way !!! Thanks for sharing. Jan
Jul 13, 2017 @ 20:01:14
It’s too ridiculous to keep hidden!
Jul 14, 2017 @ 13:44:16
Jo, I still use paper and pen to do most calculation. I find my brain more reliable and for more complex math, even with a phone I wouldn’t know what buttons to press to get an answer. So simple math on corner of a newspaper with a pen is my go to answer for all simple prob
Jul 14, 2017 @ 15:23:59
I eat, sleep and breathe on Excel. I have paper and I have writing utensils. I just forgot that one can use them for actual math! 😉
Jul 14, 2017 @ 22:56:29
Hahaha 😂😂 I have very little idea about excel
Jul 15, 2017 @ 08:38:57
Then I will take care of your spreadsheets and you can handle my epidurals. Deal? 😉
Jul 15, 2017 @ 09:41:03
Hahaha, that’s cool but I hope you never need one, unless it’s something to do with your height shortening and slipped disc thingy 😉😉
Jul 15, 2017 @ 08:52:37
I’ve had them for kids and back stuff. It’s been a few years though. 😉
Jul 15, 2017 @ 03:50:05
Wow Jo this so happened to me recently!!! One day at work I tried to solve a long division calculation using pen and paper but I couldn’t do it in fact I gave up, worse still I never did get the right answer…………………do you know what I’m going to re learn right now! Great post.
Jul 15, 2017 @ 08:20:17
I had to research my kid’s homework and how to do long division when you have a number with decimals going into another number with decimals. That was months ago, and honestly I’m not sure if I could (I know I couldn’t) answer it today. It’s crazy!
Jul 15, 2017 @ 08:45:06
Yep Crazy!
Jul 15, 2017 @ 10:01:56
Excellent point and post! It’s eye-opening to us all how much we rely on our technology! I love that you have techie time out at your house! Good for you!
Jul 15, 2017 @ 12:01:00
😊
Jul 19, 2017 @ 14:15:57
Many times I purposely do calculations with pencil and paper just to see if I can do without the calculator. 🙂
Jul 19, 2017 @ 18:02:30
You are clever. I can see it in everything you do. You are so so good about keeping your brain in gear! How’s the house going???
Jul 22, 2017 @ 07:14:30
One day at work I tried to solve a long division calculation using pen and paper but I couldn’t do it in fact I gave up, worse still I never did get the right answer…………………do you know what I’m going to re learn right now! !
Jul 22, 2017 @ 12:32:50
Hahaha! Clearly I know what you mean!!!
Jul 25, 2017 @ 07:21:07
! I just forgot that one can use them for actual math!
Jul 25, 2017 @ 07:49:27
Yes! Lol
Jul 29, 2017 @ 07:19:16
! One day at work I tried to solve a long division calculation using pen and paper but I couldn’t do it in fact I gave up, worse still I never did get the right answer…………………do you know what I’m going to re learn right now!