Freedom of unplugging...

[Kimberly]

Anyone here ever done it? Quoting a friend of mine's blog, who isn't very Disney friendly.

A life without a Blackberry or an iPhone is such a wonderfully relieving and fulfilling life and I'm glad they're all finally gone from our surroundings. Hello privacy! Do you have any idea of how many hours per day you gain by not being in constant touch with other people/your email/facebook accounts/twitter updates/blogs/news all.the.time? I'm thinking it must be something like 4-5 extra hours given to you each and every day when getting rid of the phone. The unconscious stress which evolves within us when constantly being reachable is one of all of those evil little things most of us just accept and keep living with in the modern (destructive) society - but let me tell you that nothing feels better than to cut old habits like those. I have thrown out so many bad old habits from my life lately and I feel so light. I feel free, you know what I'm saying? This above pictured moment shows the only type of phone communication we're having nowadays, along with some occasional Skype sessions with dear family members and friends of course, and the best thing is that it's completely up to us when we feel like being in touch and not. No beeping or ringing every minute from every corner, just a visit to the good old booth every once in a while. This is one of those things that we've discovered gives a new peaceful dimension to our lives. It's simple but oh so rewarding. Much more time for real life.

I do all the time. Shut my Blackberry off, or just leave it at home and spend an entire day to myself. A simple pleasure, but it is extremely liberating. In a day where we see EVERYONE attached to their electronics, it's almost funny to see someone walking without an ipod/phone or blackberry when out and about.

 

[justanotherdiser]

Sometimes I have to force myself to just close my email and not wait on the next split second update. Sometimes I won't answer my phone if I'm in the middle of something, or even if not in the mood to talk. I'd rather wait to have a meaningful conversation when it's a more appropriate time. I think that the problem (with cell phones especially) is that most people carry theirs all.the.time, so everyone expects to be able to reach you all.the.time. And then if you don't answer, the other person thinks the worst has happened. lol

 

[MIGrandma]

I don't have, or want, a lot of electronic gadgets so it's very easy for me to unplug and I do it often when we are up north. My phone is just that, a phone, and I don't play games on it. I have it on, in case of an emergency, but that's all. I go for a lot of walks up there, just enjoying the sounds of nature. The birds, the chipmunks and squirrels, the deer, etc. The sound of the wind through the trees. I sit outside and read, an actual book, not an electronic reader. I don't even have a laptop computer up there. I love it.

 

[C.Ann]

I haven't been spending nearly as much time on my computer (or here on the DIS) since New Year's (one of my resolutions) and quite frankly, I"m loving it! (Nothing personal you guys.. It's just become very obvious to me what a precious time waster it is when I could be doing something else that is much more productive - and I actually have something to "show" for my time and effort..)

As for technology in general, my personal opinion is that technology is only a "good" thing until it reaches the point where so very, very many people are developing flat-out severe addictions to all of these technological advances..

Just the other day I saw something on the news about it.. A doctor was voicing his concerns over what some of the most up-to-date research has revealed.. Basically people are losing touch with reality; personal (face-to-face) contact is dwindling at the fastest rate ever; people are becoming socially awkward and backwards without all of their various tech devices and online social networks to lean on; children and adults alike are becoming cyber bullies and taking out their frustrations and aggressiveness on people they have never laid eyes on; manners have no place in the world of cell phones, texting, and online conversations; and most worrisome of all is that when these technological advances are taken away from people - for even short periods of time - they go through some very, very severe withdrawal symptoms - often resulting in severe depression..

I suppose it's just like anything else in life - "moderation" is key.. It's not like we can "stop" technology from moving forward, but when any one (or more) of these technologies begin to feel as though they are interfering with the more important aspects of your life, it's time to take a step back and re-evaluate.. (Just my own personal opinion, of course..)

 

[indimom]

We went through a time in our marriage when we cut cable/cell phone/internet (to pay medical bills) and didn't have an antenna so no television at all (just library videos), and it was amazing how much I could get done.
I was also ashamed to note how much better my toddler & preschooler behaved when I was fully focused on them, and not on television/phone/internet.
We have those items again now, but I'm more aware of the time I spend on them.

 

[MichelleVW]

I'm going to unplug on my cruise this summer, and it's probably going to drive me crazy...but sorry, I have no desire to unplug..

 

[GeorgeG]

Yes, we have become slaves to our electronic access. My only real downfall is the internet. I've never been a big TV watcher. As far as phones go, I had to be be so accessible before I retired I rarely carry my cell phone since and consider it a necessary evil (my wife is usually the only who calls me on it). The house phone is little more than a necessary annoyance.

 

[Carly_Roach]

I live my life unplugged.

I think those of us who never got into the whole "always connected" phase (cell phone, text, FB, etc) get a chuckle out of those who suddenly discover the freedom and bliss that we experience as normal daily life. We knew from the start not to pick up that yoke and put it around our necks. And despite all the belittling and derision we receive because we refuse to tether ourselves to other people so tightly, we'll still refuse to pick up that yoke. Freedom is a commodity that must be constantly protected and valued.

For all the so-called wonderful things that come with the electronic tether, the downfalls of always being reachable far outweigh the benefits.

Glad to hear that your friend finally discovered the value of being unplugged. Plumbing your inner depths is far more rewarding in the long run than wasting time and effort maintaining a running dialogue of other people's dramas.

 

[MichelleVW]

I live my life unplugged.

I think those of us who never got into the whole "always connected" phase (cell phone, text, FB, etc) get a chuckle out of those who suddenly discover the freedom and bliss that we experience as normal daily life. We knew from the start not to pick up that yoke and put it around our necks. And despite all the belittling and derision we receive because we refuse to tether ourselves to other people so tightly, we'll still refuse to pick up that yoke. Freedom is a commodity that must be constantly protected and valued.

For all the so-called wonderful things that come with the electronic tether, the downfalls of always being reachable far outweigh the benefits.

Glad to hear that your friend finally discovered the value of being unplugged. Plumbing your inner depths is far more rewarding in the long run than wasting time and effort maintaining a running dialogue of other people's dramas.

You can speak for yourself, but in my opinion the benefits of always being reachable FAR outweighs the downfalls.

 

[beaucoup]

My FIL has taken to calling me each week lately to check on me and to see if I have news from DH. Today, I was dreading that phone ringing. I just didn't want to talk or explain anything. Wanted to be alone. Have some privacy.

It rang.

I didn't answer.

He left a message.

I haven't called back.

Feels kind of good.

And I completely agree. Computers, emails, electronic calenders and organizers, smartphones take up a large chunk of time. I used to get so much done. LOL

Communication with DH will be back to old-school this year. A landline call when he can. Letters, cards & packages.

 

[hereyago]

I did this when dd12 and I went to WDW for a couple days last year. the people who would "NEED" to get in touch with me for an emergency had the hotel phone number.

We did have DD's phone with us. We did call my aunt who was staying with my DM and my exdh to let them know we got there all right and here was the hotel room number.

all of her friends knew that we were going to get away from it all. at night she would post on her facebook, via phone of the day's events, but it was a quick write and read then pool or sleep time. she is a big texter, but I was very proud that she wasn't having a "cow" about not being able to text.

I love that we have this technology, but it can be "addicting" and also there are times the people need quiet time.