On my latest adventure I experienced a 4.5-hour flight delay. I heard each delay announced over the loudspeaker amid groans from the crowd. As time went by I began to look around the waiting area to observe how people were passing the time. You would have thought everyone would be chatting and sharing their woes. Nope. Everyone’s head was down engrossed in their devices: smartphones, iPads and laptops. All but one woman who was reading a book; a paperback book. Yahoo I thought – books still exist! I asked myself: are the days where people actually converse with one another gone?
I broke the silence and began a conversation with the women across the aisle – imagine that – “talking.” She and her husband looked up from their device and engaged with me. A few people around us were slightly annoyed at this disturbance. Wow. Really?
I have previously written about the etiquette of using devices and feel this topic needs revisiting. We have become a society attached to our devices like a baby to a binky. And we can’t let go!
I suggest entertaining the idea of a Device Detox from time to time. Turn them all off and read a book, or take a walk outside in the evening instead. Take time to look into the eyes of those around you, have a complete fully focussed conversation with another person, stop multi-tasking and embrace one task at a time. Take some quality time for yourself without all the clutter of devices. Take a break and look up.
Here is something to consider. Want if time we spent on our devices texting or connected to social media was spent on wellness practices, cooking a fabulous meal, meditating, spending quality time with loved ones. Or maybe not doing anything at all – but simply being okay with quiet time alone. Radio off, devices off – quiet time alone. Being instead of doing. (aren’t we human beings after all?)
I wish you an abundant life filled with much love, passion and adventure. As always I am here to support you in this life journey and love your feedback.