Watch out. I’m about to get all Gen X up in here.
I was a late-comer to getting my first cellphone. If I remember correctly, it was 2006 and I was living in Seattle. Everyone else I knew had one, while I was still a landline gal. I was supposed to meet a friend for lunch. He never showed. I didn’t get his voicemail until I got back to my cute little studio apartment (it had a Murphy bed and a view of the Cascades, y’all). He thought he left a message on my cellphone.
So I finally signed up for a flip phone just for the pure convenience of never having to feel like I was being stood up, when I wasn’t really being stood up.
I’m pretty sure that’s around the same time I started posting on and visiting social media sites more often too.
Back then, I was able to recognize how device-y my life seemed to be getting. Even without those add-ons, I was already spending more time in front of computer screens just keeping up with work, emails, and my live journal account. Side note: Those posts are still out there. I’m unable to edit, remove, or even find them. Hey, Siri. Does Live Journal still exist?
When I noticed I was getting too much screen time, I started a monthly reset, wherein I’d go a whole weekend or just a whole day of no screens. No phone, no computer, no tv… I just had a little retreat. I’d journal (not “live,” just regular book and pen journal), read, relax, get out in nature–it was great.
I was reminiscing about this past-me the other day, and thought I would try it. But holy pixel-balls, I couldn’t do it! We’ve all become so reliant on our devices throughout the day, that I just couldn’t frickin’ do it! I can’t remember if it was a GPS thing or an email emergency or what. But the Gen-X-er in me wants to try it again.
Have you tried this? What works for you?
I don’t think any of us necessarily should go cold turkey all the time on quitting our devices. But I sure do think we’d all be a little happier if we used them less.
Getting out into the community and interacting with other humans face-to-face is one of the best ways to do it. Don’t depend on just your grocery-shopping and your excursions for pumpkin spice lattes to fulfill your human need for interaction with others in your community. Take an improv or storytelling class! It’s a great way to make new friends and genuinely connect with others, all while learning a new skill!
My 8-week Share Your Story Class starts Monday, October 6.
My 8-week Improv for Adults Class starts Wednesday, October 15.
Both classes are at the Arts Center in Johns Creek, just north of Atlanta.
I hope to see you there!
Hey, Siri. Tell me to stop talking to you if I try to talk to you again. It’s not me. It’s you.