Simplifying Technology, Simplified!

Admittedly, this may not be the most popular post ever, especially in light of the recent world events wherein we are all having to go out less, if at all, and be at home doing absolutely everything on our oh-so-handy computers. But, nonetheless, it needs addressed! The technology in our lives needs to be simplified and minimized for probably just about everyone. How often have you seen people out together separately on devices. Or parents on their phones at the park instead of engaging with their children. Or someone hiking in nature too busy talking on their phones to be awestruck. Or people biking on the trails and texting with no awareness of what they are blindly passing by. Or someone walking around some store talking to their invisible ear device instead of talking to the cashier who is in front of them. And I don't need to condemn the texting while driving actions we still so often witness. We even multitask on our devices, sometimes simultaneously!

It is sad to think we now live in a society that "can not" be without these devices, this constant stimulation distracting us from ourselves, our loved ones, and our true lives!

When we are consistently in front of some device or have technology constantly on how can we possibly be present in our moment, connect to our inner soul, enjoy what is going on around us, partake of the here and now and be fully present? The answer is we can not.

Our lives are busy enough, running at every moment, demanding more and more in less and less time, with to-do lists that seem to never end, why then would anyone add to it such trivial technological pursuits? Social media demands and whatever that entails need to be minimized in order to free up our time, space, and brain power allowing for an opening of the heart and a stillness in the mind. Then we will be able to hear: hear ourselves, our higher source, our life's calling, our family, our loved ones, our children, our true priorities, life around us, a stranger's laugh, the cashier's voice, birds in the trees, an owl in the distance, a honking horn, our friends story, or a kind hello! Then and only when we shut it off will we begin to live the life we were truly meant to live.

I am always surprised at how many people, which people, how often, and for how many hours engage in social media or some sort of technological pursuits daily. I listed to a great afternoon piece on NPR one day about 3 different women who held high positions within their companies, were quite successful people, but also quite miserable. As it goes, all 3 figured out they needed to disconnect from technology in order to re-balance and essentially reclaim their lives. Their stories about how, why and how much better they were for doing it fascinated me since 1) I am no computer techno wiz at all; 2) I feel like the only one on the planet who says no to Facebook, Twitter, tweeting, pinning and the rest; 3) I am pretty sure we can all live better without it; 4) I have always believed there are better things to do with your time than to tweet/argue/post your every moment (like scrubbing your oven!); and 4) I have never been one to follow along and drink the Kool-aid so hearing about other's ah-ha moments in this area of simplifying technology is inspiring! I was glad for the company!

So how do we simplify our technology both devices and habits on social media? First, go thru the list of priorities and ask yourself if you need this in order to fulfill your List of 3. Does it support your priorities? If no, ditch and pitch, recycle and/or donate. If yes, then you need to determine if you have overlapping devices or social media sites. Can 1 do the job of others? Streamline your devices and your sites making them work for you not the other way around. Determine how much time you actually have to spend each day or week on social media, if any, and then be accountable to not exceed that amount. Caution: it is so easy to get in the habit of mindless clicking when you are on the internet! Watch your habits and don't stray from tasks! Your time is more valuable than the latest greatest garbage story about whomever famous! Don't give your resources away!

As you begin the process of balancing your life, remember you will have other things to add to it such as exercise or relaxation or self care or school. Therefore, time given to technology is time away from something else that may, perhaps, be more important (List of 3 / priorities!). Don't worry you can continue to modify it as you go and once you begin to disconnect from social media and reengage in life around you, you may find the scales tipping towards enjoying your life! And when you are living life, be aware of your actions. Don't mindlessly reach for your phone to tweet or text or pin. Instead, stay engaged in the life you are living in the moment and don't fill in the quiet moments with technological clutter. Relish in the simplicity of being engaged in your life and not a device! As a great beginning disconnect consider using the site hushmail.com as it has NO ads! You will not be bombarded with the internet garbage you don't need when all you want to do is check your email! Give it a try---it is worth it---and free!

The more people I talk to, the more I hear resounding agreement to this idea that we need to separate ourselves from our devices and get out there and live! I hope more and more of us realize the need to disconnect in order to connect! It is worth it! After all, this is our life!