Do you remember MTV Unplugged? When some of the top musicians would play acoustic sets on MTV? Is the series still on the air?
Anyhow, I remember sitting and listening in awe at how these songs and artists (Pearl Jam, Eric Clapton, 10,000 Maniacs and Nirvana – especially Nirvana) that I had listened to over and over could sound so different. Being unplugged and playing acoustic somehow changed the tenor of the songs. It also seemed to offer the musicians the artistic freedom to play.
OK, it may be a stretch to say that unplugging from technology for a day afforded me the same freedom or suddenly bestowed creative powers on me, but it was liberating and changed the interactions in my day.
From 5pm on Friday to 5pm on Saturday, I was completely unplugged. No phone, TV, computer. No texting, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or blog reading. My phone was on and I would have answered it if anyone called me. Or as my husband explained to my kids, “Mommy’s in a computer time-out.”
To be honest, it wasn’t that hard since it was the weekend. I’ve been trying to be less connected on the weekends so I didn’t feel the pull to check in as I imagine I would on a weekday. But what I did realize was how dependent I am on my computer, email and phone/text. Literally, they are integrated into how I now do things.
- One of my kids had a playdate scheduled for Saturday morning but I had no way of knowing whether or not it was still on or cancelled or if they were running late. (I made my husband check my phone to make sure we didn’t miss a call or email.)
- I had planned our meals for the week for once in my life. On Saturday morning, I realized I didn’t have the recipe written down. It was on Pinterest. While I could have logged on to grab the one recipe and then shut down my computer, I didn’t. I was afraid that if I did, I would be tempted to check just one more thing…then another…then my email…and then find myself down the rabbit hole. So our meal plan was scrapped and we went out for a family dinner.
- I realized that we were almost out of the kid’s toothpaste and I was going to buy more, except that I order all that stuff online. So I wrote myself a note and will purchase it later. It didn’t need to happen right away. Or my husband was researching a bike for Jasper and wanted to show me a few things but I told him it would have to wait.
Instead, I hung out with the kids. I read. I flipped through long neglected cookbooks and cooking magazines. I did laundry. I went to the library with Jasper. I SLEPT.
When 5pm on Saturday rolled around, I felt a little anxious. Part of me was longing to plug in, but part of me was also nervous. I enjoyed the time away and I actually wanted it to last longer. I’m not going to lie. I did turn on my phone at 5pm and scrolled through my email (how is it possible to accumulate so much email in 24 hours??) and took a quick look at Twitter and Instagram. Then, I turned it off.
Now that I’m plugged back into to all my technology and social media networks, I realize how quickly and easily I can waste and hour or more of time reading, checking updates and doing seemingly “important” things. I’ve realized how ADD I am when I’m online.
I’m really glad that I participated in National Day of Unplugging. I felt calmer and less rushed during those 24 hours, and the days seemed to stretch out longer. Don’t we all long for calmer, longer days? I think that I need to make this a regular practice. Maybe every Friday-Saturday sundown to sundown? OK, maybe not every week but twice a month?
Did you unplug? How was your weekend?
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I love this! I was forced to do this a few weeks ago when I had to get my screen repaired. I was phone-less and computer-less. It was harder than I thought. Can’t believe how dependent I am on these things!
Divya @ Eat.Teach.Blog. recently posted..Sunday Food Prep
I may have to take my computer in and I’m terrified!!
I did not unplug. But, I didn’t spend a whole lot of time plugged in on Saturday anyway. I do think it is a great idea to occasionally step back and appreciate the non-techno things in our life.
Is there an irony here? Writing a blog post about unplugging from technology makes me smile.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 6
haha. Of course there is. Also with me posting a picture to Instagram about unplugging on Friday afternoon. But I guess I also treat this space as one for reflection and lessons learned. But it was good. It made me realize (again) that so many things that I think are so so so important really aren’t, you know? And that I don’t need to be tied to my computer all the time.
I can only imagine how hard it must have been. I’ve been finding myself toning it way down these days and very thankful that I have been. Sadly I don’t tweet as much or on facebook as much but the time I’m getting to spend with E and the hubs has been priceless.
katie recently posted..Pregnancy Workout Options
I do feel much better when I do disconnect but I know what you mean about feeling a little sad about Twitter/FB but that one-on-one time together as a family IS priceless.
You were very serious, I love it! That’s funny that you discovered you’re ADD with tech, I feel that same way, or is that being a mom? Not sure, but generally speaking my life is constantly being interrupted by something and I get things done in 5 minute increments. This week I will be forced to unplug more because my daughter is “Star Student” translation? Mommy has to work in her classroom everyday and then turn around and do it two weeks later for her twin brother… double trouble. Have a wonderful week C!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..A letter of apology to my body
I do think that the ADD comes with the mom territory. I had to be serious about it because I know that if I wasn’t, I would let myself slip! Yes, everything has to be done in 5 minute increments. It’s a wonder that anything gets done in our house at all!! Oy! I feel your pain for the week. Good luck with that?
I saw that you were doing this and I love the idea. It was really liberating to be out of touch when we were on our cruise. It was nice not to have my phone attached to my side.
I would love to do it again sometime soon, for sure.
Great job unplugging!
E recently posted..fitness aboard the Star
Thank you! I do want to do this again. It’s liberating not being attached to your phone!
I semi unplugged- my new niece was born Thursday night so I didn’t want to miss any of her pics that were being emailed to me. I did ok besides my email. It was tough but did make me realize what a time suck being plugged in can be!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Marathon Monday Week 3
Congrats!! A new niece definitely is good reason to be plugged in. I’m OK with email for the most part. I realized that the biggest time suck for me is IG
I love that you did this and what you got out of it. It really is revealing how dependent we are on technology when you do something like that. I think time slows down when we don’t have technology in it, and that’s probably a very good thing. I like the idea of doing this once a week!
As you know, I failed. I had a big email crash on Fri. afternoon and ended up at the Apple store Friday night getting it fixed. That led to me checking on Sat. to make sure it was up and running still. Blech! I’ll try again soon.
misszippy recently posted..The hay is in the barn
That’s totally the reason I didn’t even want to look for the recipe because I knew that if I did, I wouldn’t get off the computer! But you can totally try again – that was an unforeseen circumstance. Honestly, being unplugged did highlight some of my weaknesses and bad habits. I think that I’m going to try again this Friday-Saturday.
I spent much of sunday OFFLINE and thought a lot AGAIN about my priorities.
again.
Miz recently posted..The power of MONOtasking.
I had been wondering how you did with this…you rocked it! I tried to unplug more than usual and it was nice living in the moment.
I TOTALLY remember MTV Unplugged. 10,000 Maniacs was my favorite.
Maureen recently posted..February Accomplishments/March Hopes
Thanks Maureen! OMG I LOVED 10,000 Maniacs unplugged.
thats kinda why i like traveling, especially abroad. Our phones don’t work! 4months in new zealand with only a computer when we were home was nice. I did get behind in lot and i felt overwhelmed stepping back into the PLUG but what i realized is that the FOMO (fear of missing out) was not worth the quality time, yes?
love your unplugged weekend
lindsay recently posted..Strange But Good: Food & Fitness Edition
FOMO definitely not worth the quality time. You make me want to move to New Zealand!!
I love that you did this, and challenged everyone else to as well. So funny that you had your husband check your phone- you’re right, there’s always that concern that you’re missing something when the phone is not with you. Sleep, laundry, reading cookbooks- it all sounds fantastic. I’ve been better at unplugging on the weekends lately, and I really treasure that time!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Sugarland Half Marathon Recap
I knew that I was allowed anywhere near my phone, it would be over. OK maybe a little dramatic but I did know that I would be too tempted to just check one more thing. It really is nice to unplug on the weekends, isn’t it?
I didn’t unplug but I did devote more of my time to things I wanted to get done by leaving my phone behind.
That’s the best trick I think – leaving your phone behind.
I didn’t officially unplug but I did notice that I was barely online. Will is not involved in social media at all and hates when people are with him, checking their phones, etc. When he is around, I typically lay low so as not to be rude, and I realized last night that I had barely been around for the past 48 hours. It is so nice to unplug!
Colorado Gal recently posted..A Birthday to Remember
My husband’s much the same way. He’s not involved in social media and doesn’t get why I need to check my phone a gazillion times a day. While he does read a bunch on his phone, it somehow feels different. Nice to have people to keep us in check, no?
great job unplugging! I’m sure it was definitely hard! Whenever I’m bored I go on instagram just to see what people are up to.. beats eating when i’m bored! (:
Thanks Danielle! IG is a total time suck for me!
This is a great idea! But I think it would be really hard for me. I LOVE social media!
Betsy recently posted..St Louis Recap: Day 1
It was a good experience for me. I thought that it was going to be super hard but it actually wasn’t that bad. You should give it a try!
I was going to unplug completely, haha, but we got our new pup and couldn’t help but share her with everyone!
I’ll be unplugged for most of the upcoming week, though. Tee hee. My best friend will be in town!
Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run recently posted..5 Ways You Can Run Joyfully Today
Your pup is super cute. Photos definitely needed to be shared. So fun that your best friend will be in town. Yes! Unplug and have fun together!
Hooray for being unplugged! I was just thinking this weekend about what I used to do before all the online stuff and ‘devices’ came to be. Lots more reading I think, the conventional way. I’m not as plugged in on weekends as I am during the week but still there’s lots of room for improvement!
Marcia recently posted..Motivation Monday: Fan Edition
I’m not as plugged in on the weekends but this did make me realize when I turn to social media and how I tend to use it in my life. And yes! What did we do before cell phones and texting and email?? I thought I was going to have to call the whole experiment off when I wasn’t sure if my son’s playdate was still on!
I love the connection to the unplugged music. It’s amazing how much we can be online and not even realize exactly how dependent we are on something so simple as pinterest for a recipe or keeping track of a shopping list.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Little Rock Half Marathon 2013
Exactly! I didn’t realize just how pervasive technology is in my life and how dependent on it – not just for the practice reasons or social networks but even as something I turn to when I’m bored and how much I multi-task everything!
Awesome job staying unplugged. I love that you didn’t even look for the recipe on Pinterst because it is impossible to check just one thing on there. I hate that I get caught up with social media when I’m spending time with the little man. It’s always I’ll just check one thing and it ends up being a half hour of emails, twitter and FB. It is something I really need to work on.
Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life recently posted..Foodie Pen Pals February
Thanks Sylvia! I knew that if I looked for the recipe, the whole experiment would be over. Like you said, it so easy snowballs into 30 mins or more of catching up.
While I didn’t fully participate, I do rely heavily on my phone. I always email myself to-do lists at night of things I need to do first thing in the AM. Or lists of things to buy at target, etc… I didn’t even think of things like play dates & appointments.
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly’s recently posted..PV.body turned Ellie – Thoughts and a Review.
I ended up making a lot of paper lists over the weekend! I use my phone that way a lot too – emailing reminders and lists and to-dos to myself. God help me if I actually have to remember a phone number.
That’s awesome!! I didn’t do this in full, but I did put my phone AWAY on Friday night completely and didn’t read emails, text, check instagram etc. and it really did make a difference. And news flash, I didn’t miss anything
Shocker, isn’t i t? Kudos to you my friend, you really and fully did it the whole 24 hours!!
jobo recently posted..On foodie love and evolutions.
Thank you! And yes, totally didn’t miss anything on my end either. And rather launching into a “nobody loves me” song, I actually felt relief. Not that I think I’m so important and people depend on me but it was more like releasing that notion that I need to be available 24/7.
When we turn off the TV and just hang with each other, I find that the house is much calmer and more relaxing. We get more done and the kids get along just a bit better.
Michelle recently posted..The Water Slide
Sooooo true about the kids and the TV! I find that so true in our house too. The kids are so much calmer when there’s less TV.
Sounds kind of blissful! I know that I need to be better about unplugging…maybe if I keep saying it, I will actually do it.
Elena recently posted..All Things Flu with the #CDCFlu Twitter Party
It was kind of blissful! I too kept saying that I was going to do it but making a public statement and really committing to it made me do it. Even if it’s for a few hours, I definitely think that it’s worth it.
I realy need to try to do this… the fact that the tought of it makes me anxious tells me I need it!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Everything Bagel Schmear
Yes! Do it! Doesn’t have to be 24 hours but I think that a few hours is good. You totally can do it!
Ah I LOVE unplugging, and totally need to do it more. Even on a day to day, it’s so nice to take the time to step away & just be for a bit. I feel much more productive & at ease that way!
So true – I felt so much more productive and the sense of ease really surprised me. I didn’t feel anxious at all. I do need to make sure I make this a habit!
Oh my gosh… ADD when online! Totally! I feel like this, too. I didn’t end up logging out over the weekend, but have taken a few days off from blogging (4), which has given me lots of time to do other things. I like knowing I can always swing by my laptop for a looksie. I’m addicted and I can admit it.
Martha recently posted..Throw Back Thursday; 70s Style Edition
Totally ADD online. I can’t stop myself – it’s like this involuntary twitch sometimes!! Makes it hard to be productive. I like to tell myself that I can just have a looksie but I know that in the end, I’ve just wasted an hour. I have absolutely zero willpower left.
Love it! It’s amazing how relaxing life is when we unplug. Normally we don’t watch a whole lot of tv. But internet is huge in our house. I’m thinking I should unplug.
Jen recently posted..Find Your Strong with the new Saucony Virrata
We’re the same way in our house – TV isn’t that big but the Internet is. I felt like I needed to do this, almost like a cleanse or something and to prove to myself that I could do it. It was a good experience and I learned a lot. I hope you give it a go!
It makes me realize how hard I find it to be alone with my thoughts. I spend so much time checking, responding and reading I’m not focused on my life.
Jess recently posted..Gratitude Diary
YES!! That’s exactly it – hard to be alone with my own thoughts. I’m constantly reacting to something.
Wow, I didnt unplug but I really wish I would have!! Im glad you did
Sara @ fitcupcaker recently posted..Albion Fit Go Long Crew Giveaway
Thanks Sara!
Whoa! Sticking with it even with the Pinterest recipe debacle? You were committed! Way to go!
Becky @ RunFunDone recently posted..Recovering Strong
Pinterest would have been the end of my little experiment. I was so annoyed I forgot to print out the recipe but it worked out in the end in that we got to have a family dinner out which we haven’t had in a while.
I didn’t unplug but I wasn’t very plugged in either. Most weekends, I’m away from my laptop, phone, etc. Now if you told me not to check Twitter or email on a weekday, that would be a different story!
ilene recently posted..The Fierce Diva Guide to Romance
what a great experiment! I was not able to unplug this weekend