Have you ever said, “Gee, I wish I could get rid of this thing?” Maybe you’re required to have a smartphone for work, or like the convenience of having everything in one place, but find you are tethered more often than you’d prefer.
Perhaps you think you can’t live without SM (social media) or your smartphone — after all, it’s replaced the camera for taking great photos — so you’re saying, “What are you thinking? We’re in lock down and this is my only way to connect with others!”
Trying to find the gift, the brighter side, the silver lining if you will, I’ve hoped people would use these challenging times to realize what really matters. For me, it is and always has been connecting — with others, with nature, with my surrounds.
Did you know thousands already unplug, and participate in the National Day of Unplugging? This annual event is always held the first weekend of March. It begins at sundown on Friday (let’s say after work) and ends (only if you want it to) at sundown on Saturday.
So, now that the National Day of Unplugging is this coming Friday, I’ve chosen “Unplugging” as the theme for the next blogging challenge. I guess that makes this a double challenge:
1. Give up SM and your device for 24 hours, and
2. Respond to the Changing Focus blogging challenge indicating how, when, why and/or where you unplug — hopefully from SM and your device(s) and not real people and life. But, it’s your interpretation and in the format you prefer. Maybe it’s your favorite activity while unplugging, or how you plug in to life…Just remember to add Changing Focus as a tag and provide a link to your response in a comment on this post.
As for me, 99% of the time I’m happily sans tech and SM by choice, and thrilled the unplugging movement is growing. Without listing all the daunting details of why I am a Neo-Luddite (there’s enough past blog posts about that) it’s mainly because I treasure:
- Personal connection
- Quality relationships
- Thinking for myself
- Meaningful communication
- Conscious living
Big Tech and SM don’t support my values, and particularly with the increased bullying and censorship of late, so thankfully, I’ve never indulged. Don’t jump in if you don’t want to jump out is my motto.
Yes, I get teased about not being with it but I’m not particularly fond of it when it is Big Bad Tech’s overreach to control my life. I don’t need bells and whistles, and whenever they tell me it’s for my convenience or to make my life better, I run the other way.
I’ve made a conscious choice to remain untethered to tech. The smart (aka dumb) phone is rarely turned on and usually just to let someone know if I’m running late. I still read maps (don’t have GPS), happily pay attention to my surrounds, and figure my way around detours.
I will hold out as long as I can. But outside pressures make it increasingly difficult and, sadly, even WP is inching that way. Life use to be more mellow before Big Tech arrived on the scene. Sigh.
When some people realize I am smartphone free, I first get the quizzical look and, “How is that possible?” When I explain how life still works without one, they grow curious. And then I explain how life really is better sans tech (and sans MSM actually).
Are you ready to give it a try? Can you do it for 24 hours? Then mark your calendar for this coming Friday, set your alarm if need be, and plug into 24 hours of freedom and peace. That’s right. Freedom and peace. Can you feel the tension melting away at just the thought? Big Smile.
Feeling a little fearful about taking the plunge to disconnect from tech? Check out this video by the Digital Minimalist who controls his tech rather than allowing it to control him. He’ll show you how to easily take your life back and live a more relaxed and productive life by unplugging daily.
As a little more encouragement for consciously choosing to unplug, here’s one you can fill in with your personal message:
Being unplugged is even easier for me since my hands need to be untethered and my focus in the moment for savoring activities I love. Here’s the ones I could still enjoy while restricted during a year (already) of ccp/Covid lockdowns…
Activities with no need for physical distancing 
Gardening plugs into life 
Garden prep takes time 
Tending the garden (and Border Collie Frisbee) 
Garden weed prevention (and Frisbee) 
Blueberry picking is meditative 
A veggie and herb garden needs care to flourish 
Fresh garden greens add to a delectable meal 
Harvesting garlic 
Abundant giveaways includes smiles too! 
End of season harvest and canning salsa 
Another way to get creative 
Fresh Garden Salad with Shaved Parmesan Cheese 
Herb Encrusted Veal Chop with Tuscan Salad 
Grilled Summer Squash Stuffed with Sauteed Blossoms 
Roasted Golden Beet Salad with Berries and Goat Cheese 
Prosciutto and Apple, and Asparagus Tarts 
Lamb Chop Dinner with Grilled Veggies and Couscous 
Making Pepper Jelly 
Apple Pie of Love 
A flower garden provides nearly endless bouquets 
Hydrangea flower arrangement 
Autumn bouquet 
WG signature bouquet of dahlias, yarrow and hydrangea 
Doorstep flower greeting… 
A fresh environment refreshes the eyes, mind and spirit 
Hiking nourishes body and spirit 
Cemetery stroll 
Adventures on unfamiliar roads reduce monotony 
Autumn drive 
Mesmerizing and cute! 
Birds on spring buds sing of hope 
Deer are plentiful any time of year 
An unassuming buck safely enjoying an autumn landscape 
This turtle offers contemplation of life long ago 
The Blue Heron is the epitome of patience 
What would we do without them? 
A comfy chair is a must 
Nature’s solitude is perfect for quiet contemplation 
A camera translates details often overlooked in life 
Shadows on snow and ice 
Ice encased branches
Image credits in order of appearance:
Original featured image by Lukas on Pexels
Slideshow images by Write Gardener
wRighTing My Life 
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