Did You Unplug this Weekend?
Did you take the opportunity to unplug this weekend and disconnect from tech and social media (SM)? If so, I’d love to hear how you felt about it, what you did (or didn’t do), and if this event encouraged you to unplug regularly. If not, it’s never too late to begin.
And if you found your 24-hour respite from SM and tech useful or pleasant, encourage others to try it out. Refer back to the Digital Minimalist for how to make tech work for you rather than be controlled by it. Consider becoming a member of the National Day of Unplugging (NDU) movement — it’s free and easy to sign up.
If you’re participating in the Changing Focus blogging challenge on Unplugging, you still have until March 27th for your interpretation of this theme via photos, narrative and/or music. Remember to add Changing Focus as a tag and provide a link to your response via comments.
As I shared last week, I’ve consciously chosen to be unplugged from tech and SM 99% of the time. While I never had to jump out (quit SM, tech gadgets) it’s because I made a conscious decision to not jump in. Here’s an example why:
“I’m thrilled that my smart phone can turn on my oven. How cool is that?”
“Why would you want it to?”
“So I don’t have to get off the couch.”
Ouch! That was a conversation I had with a smartphone user a few years ago. Knowing we have a growing obesity problem in this country, do we really need one more excuse to not exercise or move around? Bottom line for me is if you don’t use it, you lose it.
Alexa will not be a guest in my home nor will my home become smart. I make the effort to think for myself and I try to preserve the English language (no texting for me although I do fall prey to some acronyms). This was my answer to texting when it first became popular:
While I can still read a map and ask questions, I find people frequently can’t tell me the name of the street or a nearby business but offer to look it up on their phone. Whatever works, I suppose. Which was a cute Woody Allen movie by the way. (I’ve seen more movies during the winter lock down than in most of my life.)
Speaking of, the photos I posted last week were activities I could still maintain during ccp/Covid lock downs. Here’s some photos of activities I can hardly wait to resume after we’re freed from physical distancing restrictions. This is how I more fully plug into life (sans tech and SM):
Connecting activities I long to resume 
Sailing is close quarters but also offers the best of times with the best of friends 
Island hopping is easy in the BVI 
Sailing offers an incredible sense of freedom 
City parks are natural entertainment for the senses 
Cherry blossom time is my favorite; these were in NYC’s Brooklyn Botanical Gardens 
Strolling through city gardens is also educational 
Endless Dogwoods coming into bloom always enliven my spirit 
Rain or shine activities to delight the eyes and ears 
I could easily devote an entire vacation to Italy’s Borghese Gallery… 
“Apollo and Daphne” – my favorite Bernini sculpture in Italy’s Borghese Museum 
I love Smooth Jazz; sax player Phil Denny was a great find in Cancun, Mexico 
I can hardly wait for one of these outings 
Meeting friends for drinks and dining out…so much fun 
An Anegada grilled lobster in the BVI is a delicacy well worth travels 
ccp/Covid restrictions will determine my future ability to explore the world 
A land of striking beauty and history, I’d return to Scotland anytime, although the northwest coast was particularly enchanting 
The turquoise sea is restorative; this one was in the Bahamas 
Hiking through Cinque Terre, Italy offered breathtaking views 
This is the ultimate self-care 
I particularly enjoy outdoor Qigong… 
A hammock anywhere offers lazy relaxation; this one is on Oualie Beach in Nevis 
A massage is a must with any airline travel; Spa Tropique in Turks & Caicos is exceptional! 
The beat of the heart flows through the beat of the drums; our group of hand drummers are like family 
If travel restrictions remain, a canine may be coming home with me instead… 
Ball anyone? 
Border Collie Frisbee in Spring 
Ready to play tug! 
Border Collie Summer Fun in the Pond 
Border Collie Autumn Fun 
More Indoor Border Collie Tug 
No matter the season, a Border Collie (or any canine) is loads of fun (and love)
Simon Parkes sums it up best: “Technology has outstripped social awareness, consciousness, values. In other words the search and quest for technology has so outstripped our ability to value each other, choose what’s right, support the planet, be of service to others rather than service to self, that we’ve gone down this road…
“…The more we are sucked into this digital stroke artificial intelligence way of life, the more intolerant we are becoming towards our fellow human beings and the more robotic we choose to be. That is extremely dangerous…”
Call me Old School. Call me not with it, but call me happy to stay true to my values…to be a critical thinking human who loves paying attention and interacting with her surrounds and life — that includes with you too.
Image credits in order of appearance:
Original featured image by Write Gardener
Unplugged smartphone by Lukas on Pexels
Slideshow images by Write Gardener
wRighTing My Life 
Sounds like you have a great handle on handling tech in a healthy way while still staying involved with life and nature — as evidenced also by the awesome photos you share. Kudos to you! 🙂
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Yes, and I walk more because of it. You know, always wanted to beat yourself 🙂
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Well, it’s not all or nothing…at least you are out walking in nature and sounds like controlling the tech to make it work for you. 🙂
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My daily walks help me disconnect. But I will admit, I track my mileage and calories on my phone! UGH!
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