Take A Break From Your Digital Life


For the past 9 years I've been really tied to technology. Not a day goes by without excessive use of it. Ever since university I'm used to using computers for more than 8 hours daily, mostly coding with about an hour or two of movies, games, etc. On one side, it's good cuz during my university years I need to really develop my skills. But then as time goes by I get too attached to it. This is not good.

Back then I used a desktop so the only thing I'm really attached to is my cellphone, still am now. Since 2003, my phone has internet connection and I can get connected anywhere. Thus, my life circles around the net. Then starting 2008 I got my first laptop. This thing really went to places with me, even on my vacation. Sad, I know, but there's nothing I can do about it. I'm simply too attached to digital stuffs.

Last weekend, for the first time in my life I had a digital break. I was inspired by a blog post by Leo Babauta, a minimalist. It was nice and I enjoyed it a lot.

So what's my digital break?
  • I didn't check my emails, I simply let the email headers slide into my mobile phone and not checking what's in it.
  • I only update my facebook status once a day. Well, plus that restaurant link I shared cuz it was nice.
  • I left my mobile phone in the vouch most of the time since I didn't get a lot of phone and I put the vouch in my wife's purse.
  • I didn't code, nor use my MacBook for working purposes. The only thing I did with it was play videos my daughter requested.
  • I only made 3 posts to my online forum.
What did I do during my digital break?
  • I took my children to get their vaccination.
  • I finally found a new house to rent.
  • I visited some relatives and had a long talk.
  • I had a long herat-to-heart conversation with my wife.
  • I slept more than 10 hours (something I can rarely do).
  • I went to a colonial styled steak restaurant with my family.
  • I took my wife to the beauty parlor for a haircut.
  • I finished reading the "Padang Bulan" book I bought the day before.
  • I enjoy life :)
Judging from the usual situation, the digital break was successful and also cleared my mind out of junk thoughts that's been clogging my mind for a long time. I can focus  more after my mind-cache was cleared and it gave me a better view of things.

Technologies are there to help our lives. In my case, that's how I make a living. This also creates the condition where I can't get away from it. Technology was created with a noble purpose but then somehow it occupied most of our lives and we became attached to it.

Then again, we are still humans. We need to socialize on the real context, not just on social media, and really enjoy our surroundings. I know that maybe you're that much attached to technology and it's good. But it's also good for you to take a break from it and enjoy reality, enjoy your surroundings. Or at least enjoy a cup of coffee to the fullest, just like the picture above.

From now on, every weekend will be my digital break and I want to enjoy it to the fullest.

How about you?


regards

-E-


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