“Connection is inevitable, distraction is a choice.” — Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
I did it! I was able to “Connect by Daring to Disconnect” this past week while attending my yoga and hiking retreat in Sedona. I didn’t text, send emails, look at Facebook or watch TV for four days. Here’s what I learned about myself from it all:
• I use my phone as a distraction from boredom;
• I procrastinate doing the more important things in life by checking email and Facebook and watching TV;
• I could be creating something much more satisfying during the time I waste on technology; I wrote poetry, meditated and collaged during time I would have normally been on my phone, computer or in front of the television;
• I am much more calm not reading the news or hearing about all the awful things going on in the world;
• Connecting with nature and being outdoors is so much more gratifying than connecting with technology;
• It is so much easier to connect with others without the distractions of technology. Here’s a photo of myself and my new friends I was able to connect with during my four days of disconnecting.
Sakshi Talwar from the Huffington Post says, “It is very crucial to understand that detoxing yourself from gadgets does not suggest abandoning yourself from technology in its entirety or on a permanent basis. That would be a complete loss and transport one back to primitive ages. What is important is to strike a balance between the same in today’s new age of constant touch, tap or swipe.”
After my post last week, I heard from one friend who is committing to disconnect one day a week. She realized that this would be a fabulous idea to re-connect with herself and the things she really loves – like writing memoir. I can’t wait to hear how she does.
What are you willing to commit to and what could that do for you? Who would you love to connect with more?
I’d love to hear from you.
To read more about Sakshi’s views on disconnecting go to Huffington Post/Sakshi Talwar