A Techie's Digital Detox

I love technology. I’m an electrical engineer (EE), my Dad was an EE,  my husband, and kids are all EEs.  I love using tech to enrich my life and make it easier. Whether its setting my house alarm remotely, staying in touch with our daughter at college, or optimizing my travel with Google Maps and Trip Advisor.  So when Sarah Krug of Cancer101 enlisted folks to join the “S’Mores Circle” and do a tech detox for the day, it wasn’t going to be easy.  But the reasons for doing so are compelling.  Tech is disconnecting us at the same time its connecting us.  Social interactions are being compromised.  The goal of the S’Mores Circle and the detox was to have meaningful social interaction for just one day;  a lovely autumn Sunday.

Here is how it went:

           

Instead of….	I …
Checking the weather on my phone	Went out on the front porch.  The rain had stopped and the sun was coming out.  Perfect for my husband and I to go for a walk.
Running the breathe app on my Apple Watch	Took a bunch of deep breaths, moved, and went on that walk with my husband.
Writing emails	I wrote a list of things to do on Monday, because they really could wait-  -My bio for Monmouth University -Posting our home for sale on Zillow -Researching jobs  It all could wait, for a little while at least.
Turning on the TV or checking my phone for news in the morning	Lit the fire in the fireplace and picked up that book I keep meaning to finish
TIME CHECK…	ITS ONLY 10 AM??
Reviewing things to do in OneNote	Remembered the important things, and didn’t worry about the little ones. I did whatever I felt like at the time, without a list driving me.
Looking at my Google Calendar to plan for the week	This was hard.  But I knew my Sunday plans, and my Monday commitments, so I was fine.
Google Maps	Turned on 880 AM for the traffic report
Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat	The best social connections of all. +Went to the city to meet our son and his friend +Called our daughter at Purdue to chat

Tech I couldn’t give up completely:

Google Maps- My husband didn’t have the patience for the radio, and wanted to know if we should take the Holland or Lincoln Tunnel into NY

EZPASS & Spot Hero- far too convenient and makes the trip to the city easier

It was tempting to go even further, like when we lost power and services after Superstorm Sandy hit (sitting by candlelight, cooking with gas only, no Nespresso…). My detox reminded me of that time after Sandy, but alas I really love that cup of joe in the morning. You can say its meaningful social connection on some level, right?

I actually enjoyed my day of detox.  My husband and kids begrudgingly joined in, and in the end I think they enjoyed it too.  So thank you Sarah, I’ll be joining you next year again.  And maybe a few Sunday’s in between.