I did not feel like writing this blog.
Sitting in front of my computer on a beautiful sunny day with a blank Word document, I felt irretrievably and irrevocably uninspired. The constant pinging of my computer, the news articles popping up on my phone, and the never-ending barrage of opinions, chatter, and innovation never cease to send my mind into a spin. Which is why today, I chose to close my laptop, go outside, and try an ancient technique by writing the first draft of this blog by hand.
Modernity in Moderation
I read an article recently that discusses how modern life has moved too quickly for our brains to keep up. Our evolutionary responses to stress and competition has been shaped over millions of years; by contrast, the shift to modern life has been incredibly rapid, and our brains haven’t had time to fully adapt. The constant stream of information, glimpses into the lives of others, continuous improvement, and relentless innovation create new levels of competition, which makes it difficult to discern what is actually important or concerning. Not to mention the isolating effect it can have on people, increasing the divide between us as a society.
It’s Giving…Obsessed
In my opinion, we were never meant to be this connected to one another.
Before cellphones, if you were driving somewhere, you were unreachable. Now, you’re expected to always be present on your phone or computer. At almost every stop light, you’ll see someone with their nose buried in a screen. We are obsessed, and we can’t seem break free from this need to constantly be present. It’s exhausting.
I know people who leave their ringers on all night, just in case someone needs them. While that is very kind, it also adds a lot of stress. I know plenty of people who can’t go enjoy a movie at the cinema without checking their socials throughout. This also fuels a disconnect between people because, instead of being present, your brain is ping-ponging between what someone posted on social media, what your friend is texting you, what’s going on at work, and what’s happening right in front of you. Even writing about it makes me want to scream; it’s no wonder people are overstimulated, mentally exhausted, and generally negative or apathetic about the world around them.
So, if you are like me and sometimes feel like throwing your phone in the ocean and going off the grid, you might want to try some of the following.
Get Outside, It’s Summertime!
The simplest thing you can do? Go outside.
Put down your phone, close your laptop, and spend even ten minutes outdoors. Going outside has been proven to help reset your brain and help you feel more grounded and connected with the world around you. It offers both physical and mental health benefits, and can help clear your mind of all the junk swimming around in it. Closing my computer today and handwriting this blog in my yard gave me an almost instant sense of peace, and with practice, you can achieve that too.
Kickin’ It Old School
Secondly, start to slowly fill your life with activities that don’t require technology.
I’m not saying technology is all bad or that you should eliminate it from your life completely. I have plenty of shows I watch on a consistent basis and I love playing computer games, but my entire day does not revolve around technology.
Read a book. A physical book. Do a puzzle. Draw.
Even if you’re not very good at whatever it is you choose to do, allow yourself the freedom to try. This gets you out of the doomscrolling mindset brings more variety to your day. When scrolling your phone starts to feel like a break and not a compulsion, you’ll know you’re getting there.
Out of the Loop
Lastly, don’t beat yourself up for not staying updated on all the latest and greatest things, or even on everything happening in your friends and families lives. There are countless ways to connect with people in this day and age, but feeling a need to be connected constantly is an unrealistic expectation. Everyone has an opinion on what you should care about, what you should believe in, and how you should be present in life. Try to block out that noise and figure out what makes YOU truly feel present and at peace. For example, I try to see at least one friend a week, go on a walk every evening, and do some sort of activity that doesn’t involve my phone such as drawing or yoga. For others, it might be going to the gym daily, making a nutritious meal, or meditating. And don’t be afraid to try different things! The worst thing that could happen is it doesn’t end up being the activity for you, and you move onto something else.
It might take awhile before you stop feeling the pull of technology. Social media is addictive; there are plenty of studies that suggest as much, so like any habit, you may need to wean yourself off before you can settle comfortably into a new routine.
I am not saying you should give up technology completely. It is a necessity that has, for better or worse, wormed its way into our lives and is not planning on leaving anytime soon. What I am saying is, take breaks from it. Pretend you’re a nomad living off the land. Sit in uncomfortable silence. Reflect on your own technology use and how it may be affecting you. Balance is the key. When we find that balance, technology becomes a welcome tool rather than a crutch.
