Now anyone that knows me knows that I am addicted to my iPhone. It is something I definitely depend on everyday. From my alarm in the am, to checking email, texts, facebook, twitter; to playing the only 3 games I allow on my phone Skee-Ball, Wheel of Fortune and the ever addicting DoodleJump. As much as our phones/devices keep us in the know, do they really keep us connected? Is that real connection? I recently read an article by Howard Mann in Seth Godin’s awesome free E-book, these words really stuck with me:
“We’ve become slaves to our mobile devices and the glow of our screens. We walk the streets with our heads down staring into 3-inch screens while the world whisks by doing the same. And yet we’re convinced we are more connected to each other than ever before. Multi-tasking has become a badge of honor.”
The line “we walk the streets…” made me realize how often when I am outside I am staring at my phone. I am missing out on connecting with one of my favorite things, the outdoors. Also, I don’t know how many times I have pulled out my phone during dinner conversations, or perused my twitter while on the phone with a good friend. Think of all the precious moments that I let fly by not being present and soaking up the real connection of what is in front of me.
So I am taking a stand and throwing in some self made mandates:
- I need to WILL start using a real alarm clock, to avoid checking my phone for emails & updates first in the am. All emails will be there in an hour or two. (Thank Lara for this fabulous pointer)
- My phone says in my pocket/purse until I have had 20 deep breaths of air when I get outside. I want to soak in my God-given surroundings.
- Strive to be present in conversations. Again keeping my phone/computer shut-down and focus on the person who I am sharing with.
I challenge you to try one of these out with me this week and let me know how it goes. Or if you have any other good unplugging tips, I would love to hear them. Now a small disclaimer, because my lil’ iPhone is glaring at me. I love my iPhone and its abilities and you might be amazing at Multi-tasking and this doesn’t phase you. But personally, I suck at this and I just don’t want it running my life. Hence the mandates. Wish me luck!
Just because every post is better with a photo.
These are great words to live by. We all need to take time away from the distractions and really enjoy the beauty of life. Even if it’s for 10 minutes.
i’m with you. i can’t believe how common this is among all my friends too. we’ll be sitting at dinner and it’s commonplace for somebody to be grabbing their phone mid-sentence to respond to something/someone else. i wondered when this got to be ok for all of us?! so, that said, i’m with you.
Great things to think about! Thanks for sharing the challenge!
I’m with you this week. I need to have phone put down time so I can spend time with the lovely spring weather that is coming and enjoy what God has given us.
I love this post. i’m going to go outside right now and not even bring my phone.
oh my gosh, you hit this one right on the head!! i, unfortunately, do the same thing! it’s definitely a great time of the year to slow things down and take a minute {or 20 deep breaths} to watch the trees/flowers bloom 🙂
I need to mandate #3 in my own life … too often the kids or Mr. Right interrupt my writing and I act like its a bother … interactions with the people I love should NEVER be a bother. Thanks for the insight. Love your blog!