I saw an awesome video last night, as my husband and I lay, side by side in bed, looking at our phones. It’s the norm for us. To wind down at the end of the night, sometimes reading a book, but mostly catching up on social media. What is ‘catching up on social media’ anyways? ‘Social media’ is utterly endless. We could literally spend our whole lives only reading social media sites. Today, I chose not to. I am stepping away from my phone and Looking Up. Since I am a blogger, I will still be in the know, but I will reserve my social media and blogging time to my computer only. I’ve deleted all social media apps, other than Instagram, in order to keep myself from looking at my phone while I’m bored. I left Instagram because it inspires me to get out and see the world. Take photos. Be a living person.
I noticed myself looking at my phone while I waited for a bottle to warm, feeding my baby, as a distraction from writing, sitting down to dinner with my husband and even when out, surrounded by friends. Unacceptable. It is the norm for so many people and I encourage, if this is you, to step away and look up. Try it for one week and see what you’ve been missing. You’re unlikely to go back.
This is the video that I saw last night, that really hammered this common sense into my head. It’s called Look Up by Gary Turk. If you haven’t seen it, please give yourself a break and listen to his words.
Good for you. Of course there was no such thing as social media when you were growing up and I think that we were stronger as a family for it. Less distractions and more one on one time. We were at a restaurant the other day and I was apauld at what I saw. Next to us was a family of four. A mom , dad and couple kids around eleven and thirteen. From the time they sat down all four where on cell phones texting or what ever. Not one word was spoken except to put in the order to the waitress. Come on people, put those electronic devices down every once in a while.
Oh that is sad. 🙁 I feel bad for them!
I saw this video the other day myself and thought that it was amazing! I was super late getting into the whole social scene…I have only really been into it for the last couple/three years. I am thrilled to say that I met up with a couple of fellow blogging ladies over this past weekend, and I only looked at my phone once during the four hour visit. And while I do check it every so often during the day, it is generally just that a quick check and then away it goes. I definitely don’t want to miss out on all of the amazing things that being a mom and a wife offers because of technology. My kids are however super addicted to the technology and this summer I will be getting them outside more often and actually getting out with them, because we can never get that time back! Have a great week, Shelly!
Way to go Stacey! It’s easier to break a habit if it never becomes one! 😉 I’m all for you playing outside with your kids! There’s TONS to do in IL in the summers b/c it gets hot but there are only a few weeks of unbearable heat.
I’ve been feeling this way too. I cut back but not as much as I would like. My child only knows life with a screen. That’s a scary thought. I can’t change where technology is going but I can change how it impacts my family. I use social media very little on a personal level. It’s a necessity for blogging and I’m still getting comfortable with how that fits into my life.
I agree! I realized that I was spending SO much time just trying to get my name out there and be seen that I wasn’t actually doing projects for my blog. That doesn’t work! There’s just not enough time to do both so I decided to put a limit to it. My page will grow if my content is good enough so I’m stepping back. It’s a good thing to evaluate whether it’s yourself or your kids though so I’m glad you’re taking a look. 🙂