From time to time I see comments about someone being excited to go somewhere remote so they can turn their cell phone off or be “disconnected.” I am always baffled and slightly amused by these statements. When I don’t want to be bothered by my cell phone, I use a highly innovative procedure.
I turn it off.
Crazy, right? I follow a similar procedure when I want to be off of the computer or away from social media.
There was a recent meme going around on Facebook showing a bunch of bicycles piled on a sidewalk. The accompanying text talked about how this was how you knew where your friends were when you were a child. There is some implication that this element of a golden era is better than today with its cell phones.
Well, rather than riding around trying to find my friends, I can just text them. Or when they want to meet for a spontaneous lunch, I can get a call or a text, and we’re reunited. I’ll keep my phone, thank you very much.
I see a lot of complaining about social media. Ironically, those complaints are all on social media. Well, Facebook and Twitter changed my life! If it wasn’t for these two types of social media, we wouldn’t be living our current lifestyle. My life has been enriched by the connections I have online.
As we’ve been on the road for over 3 years, it’s been wonderful to be able to connect to people. When I’ve needed support, there were people who knew me to connect with. When I wanted to share a joy, they were there as well.
Skype enabled me to tell one of my best friends goodbye and that I loved him before cancer took his life. Facebook was how I knew things had taken an ugly turn to begin with.
If it wasn’t for the Internet, not only would I not be able to fund our life as easily, but I probably never would’ve met my son! He lived in a different county, and I only found out about him because of the Adoption Exchange website.
I use my smartphone a lot when I travel. It comes in super handy and has made traveling a lot easier really. I wouldn’t give it up without a fight.
The trick is not to let technology, social media, or anything else run your life. When you’re with friends or other people at a meal or around town, put and keep the damn phone down.
Unless you’re expecting an urgent text/message from someone regarding a loved one who is at the hospital. Then you have a good excuse.
Just because you have a smart phone doesn’t mean you have to be chained to it. If you don’t want to be on Facebook all day, sign off. Problem solved. Those Instagrams of Bobby’s lunch will still be there when you get back online.
Do you find it difficult to turn it off?
Haha love it! I always think the same thing when I read about bloggers going somewhere with no signal. Some people just can’t switch off I guess.
Reply
I just crack up when they act like they’re heroes for going without WiFi for a couple of days. LOL
Reply
That’s about right. I especially agree with putting the phone away when you’re with people or at dinner.
Reply
Yes, please! I hate trying to compete for someone’s attention when we’re supposed to be getting together to enjoy each other’s company.
Reply
The anticipation for some people is too great to resist –
I gather its all to do with Dopamine – seeking out pleasure and receiving instant gratification.
Turn it off and you’re cutting yourself off from that potential hit! 🙂
Reply
Definitely could be part of the problem!
Reply
I feel exactly the same way you do about technology. It has mostly changed my life for the better, but I’m pretty good about knowing when to disengage from it. However, there was that night when my husband and I were out to dinner together and I texted him “Hi”. He got the message.
Reply
That is HILARIOUS! I love it!
Reply
Well said!! I agree with every single point you made! Use technology, don’t let it use you by becoming so tied to it you can’t carry on a conversation in person. I know I would never feel I could travel like I do if I thought I was unreachable.
Reply
Part of the fun for me is being able to share what we’re experiencing.
Reply
I always hated phones because they tend to interrupt the best moments or thoughts, insistently ringing “pick me up now, NOW, NOW!“. Hence I still have an old clam shell phone, very few people get my number, and it doesn’t ding in my pocket when a new email arrives. 😀
Though: I have tablet, as it serves as a GPS as well, but still: I check online maybe once a day, that’s enough unless I have something real urgent to deal with.
Reply
I turned off notifications so my phone doesn’t ding on emails. 😉 There’s always a way to manage it and have it do what you want.
Reply
Technology is and can be a wonderful thing, but I do think some people are addicted to it. There has been a diagnosis for internet type addictions added to the DSM manual – yikes!
Reply
Well, the DSM is a whole different debate. In some cases they’ve pathologized basic human behavior. Having said that, though, yes some people definitely are addicted to their phones and/or social media.
Reply
Agreed Talon, while I happily traveled far and wide sans all technos back in the neanderthal days before digital, I too would have a very tough time living perpetually in far-flung places, ever a half globe away from family and friends were it not for Facebook and Skype. Furthermore, I’d not have been able to remain in touch with the many fine friends I’ve made along the way, in Singapore, Nepal, Vietnam, et al.
That said, just a simple matter of deciding who’s in charge of your life – you, or a handful of geeks in Palo Alto. 😉
Reply
It can definitely be a double-edged sword. Just like anything else in life, we get to choose how much dominance it has.
Reply
I think those who bemoan too much technology use also may be those who also decree how it should be used. Use it as much and in any way that it serves you! Good points, all. And I love seeing everyone’s photos of food! 🙂
Reply
Definitely agree. Although, when it interferes with one’s ability to interact with a human face to face, I’m going to say it might be more of a problem. 😉
Reply
I have met so many great people online, You included Talon, because of social media. People who have inspired and encouraged me when I needed it the most.
But like in all human relationships sometimes a person needs to focus on certain priorities. It is a choice, ya, sometimes you’ve got to turn the phone or computer off. And like all good relationships your friends online get that and understand it to.
Reply
There is a time and place for sure. When you’re gathering with friends, I think that’s the time to shut it down. But that’s just me. 😉
Reply
Here! Here! It’s like people who cringe when they see wall-mounted flat screens in our guests rooms here at the B&B. Oh… there’s a tv in the room. Guess what? You don’t have to turn it on, but the next guest will love it! It’s a choice!
Reply
Yep! Don’t want to watch TV, don’t turn it on. Problem solved.
Reply
I couldn’t agree more, social media is a fantastic addition to staying in contact with friends and family. It needs to be used in moderation however, there is nothing more annoying then trying to have dinner with someone who keeps staring at their phone, or someone who feels the need to update their FB status with everything they do in their life.
Reply
Yes, both of those situations are rather irritating. Most especially the one when I’m with someone in a restaurant and their eyes are glued to their smartphone. Why are we bothering to meet if you aren’t going to interact?
Reply
So true. Social media has allowed me to stay in touch with family and friends as I’ve traveled or we’ve scattered to lives apart and to reconnect with old friends. I’ve met new friends through it. This week I was reminded of the penpal relationships many had as children. There is some similarity to what happens in social media. And when you’re with someone face to face, turn off the phone, move away from the computer.
Reply
Couldn’t agree more!
Reply
You’re quite right, technology has enriched out lives in so many ways. But as you point out, the trick is not to let technology, social media, or anything else run your life– this coming week I’ll be travelling with my 9 year old grandson to the Turks and Caicos and although he loves books, sports and nature, when he gets ahold of an iPhone or online game, he just CANNOT put it down ( thanks you cursed Minecraft) . So, I’m torn between letting him go online ( and dealing with the inevitable turn it off battle) or just banning it altogether ( and losing out on his great Instagram photos, sharing pics with his family etc) . I still haven’t decided what to do.
Reply
Perhaps a compromise can be reached. My son loves his games, but we’ve had many discussions about how those aren’t as important as living life. So when we travel, we had downtime where he can play. Since he knows I’ll make sure to carve out time for him to just chill, it isn’t as big of a deal when I ask him to set it down so we can go explore.
Reply
I agree totally! If you don’t want to be on a phone or a computer then turn it off but I love being able to stay in touch, learn what’s going on in people’s lives and post pictures when I’m traveling. Technology is never the issue – it’s how people use it.
Reply
Just like anything else, moderation is definitely key.
Reply