Back when I was in school, we had to call our friends on their parents land line and beep the horn to let them know we were outside to pick them up…
While I’m under 30 (barely), I can just imagine telling future generations what it was like not to have today’s technology. In fact, when I was at the Verizon store in April waiting for my numbers to transfer, the employee was a college co-ed and he said that he got his first cell phone at 16. You wanna know what I got for my 16th birthday? A pager. My friends would text me their number and I’d call them from a pay phone!
What I am trying to say is that we’ve become such a wired nation. From cell phones to Twitter to Facebook to blogs to email to BBM….it doesn’t end.
Earlier and this month, the Mr. and I de-wired on our honeymoon. It wasn’t the fact that we wanted to disconnect from the world, more so that the international charges were ridiculous. However, I am SO grateful that we let go of all computers, cell phones, internets, blogs, etc. I read some amazing books and had some good conversations with the hubs. It was really nice not to have dinner with someone that was checking their phone every few minutes!
While almost all of my readers’ jobs involve a computer, I thought I would give you a few ways to disconnect or become a bit less wired.
• No Technology Days: Brady and I discussed no internet weekends once a month. I think this is a great way to recharge you for the upcoming week. Discover new neighborhoods in your area, watch movies and visit friends! I know – the cell phone may be a bit difficult to give up during these days.
While I’m under 30 (barely), I can just imagine telling future generations what it was like not to have today’s technology. In fact, when I was at the Verizon store in April waiting for my numbers to transfer, the employee was a college co-ed and he said that he got his first cell phone at 16. You wanna know what I got for my 16th birthday? A pager. My friends would text me their number and I’d call them from a pay phone!
What I am trying to say is that we’ve become such a wired nation. From cell phones to Twitter to Facebook to blogs to email to BBM….it doesn’t end.
Earlier and this month, the Mr. and I de-wired on our honeymoon. It wasn’t the fact that we wanted to disconnect from the world, more so that the international charges were ridiculous. However, I am SO grateful that we let go of all computers, cell phones, internets, blogs, etc. I read some amazing books and had some good conversations with the hubs. It was really nice not to have dinner with someone that was checking their phone every few minutes!
While almost all of my readers’ jobs involve a computer, I thought I would give you a few ways to disconnect or become a bit less wired.
• No Technology Days: Brady and I discussed no internet weekends once a month. I think this is a great way to recharge you for the upcoming week. Discover new neighborhoods in your area, watch movies and visit friends! I know – the cell phone may be a bit difficult to give up during these days.
• Disconnect for an hour: The other day reader Amy’s internet went down at work and she was at a loss. I say, make this an ever day occurrence! Shut down your computer for an hour and do paperwork, take a long lunch, schedule some meetings – find something that doesn’t require you to stare at a screen.
• Put your phone away during dinner: As I mentioned above, it was really nice to have dinner with someone that wasn’t checking their phone every few minutes. Unless you have a kid at home or a sick parent, what’s more important than the person you are eating with!? Just stop the texting and enjoy the time with the person you are hanging out with.
• Don’t check work email after work hours: Unless you are saving the world or a doctor, stop checking work emails after hours. I thought that a work Blackberry would be a blessing. Well, it’s not. I found myself getting emails from mommy bloggers at 3:00 a.m. on weekends and finding the urge to always respond to people. Refusing to check work emails after hours helps you maintain a better work/life balance. Also, don’t give out your work email to friends. You will find yourself always wanting to send emails during work hours and checking for responses when you are away from work.
Honestly – these are simple tips! Sometimes you just need to ask yourself – am I really addicted to the internet? Do I need a break?
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