You are welcome to UNPLUG
In two days 40 people will embark with me to explore the boundaries we do (or don't) have with technology.
We call it UNPLUG 2014. But is is not just about unplugging. It is about intentionally creating more space and time in our lives. Reduce the busy.
Why online? Why in a group?
Accountability.
There is something about doing this together – something that makes me certain I'll show up. Power in numbers.
I'm at war with myself. This constant connection.
This text message, instant message, social media driven pace.
This nothing-happens-unless-there-is-photographic-evidence.
This, my-business-suffers-if-I-don't-show-up, here, online.
This no-one-talks-about-it-anymore-but-it-used-to-be-big-news the relationship between my cell phone and cancer.
This who am without it.
This which we have no idea how to navigate.
It is all so new. So fast. #wevenevereverlivedlikethisbefore
I don't understand it. And neither do you. But we both know, the boundaries move, and we nudge them and shift ourselves and play with these edges.
- Can you wait in line without your phone?
- Can you make it through a walk?
- A meal?
- Do you text while you drive? (Yes, a stoplight is still driving.)
- What about a day without your phone?
- What does that bring up for you?
I'll tell you what, it fucks me. Entirely.
Behind at work, feeling disconnected, anxious. That's why I am here.
What about you? Why are you joining me?
Not signed up yet? Do it HERE.
Supply Ideas. These are supportive ideas ONLY.
There is nothing you NEED to be successful that you don't already have.
- Something to scribble in. I just bought one of these journals.
- Water bottle. I have one of these I use to set my intentions.
- Flower essences. I often make my own, but I really love these.
- Something cozy to wrap and support you. I love bamboo scarves.
I invite you to comment below. Why are you here?
I'll begin.
It Takes All Day To Peel The Carrots
These was the farmers market.
There were the carrots and the parsnips and the brussel sprouts and the potatoes.
All I had to do was buy them and scrub them for dinner.
How did the farmers do it? How was there time in the day (they weren't blogging) to work the earth? How was there time (there was no Instagram) to haul the water? How was there time (there were no smart phones) to finish all the chores before bed.
Let's not forget that this technological lifestyle we live is so, so, so, so, so, so new.
Our brains are adapting to new advances so quickly. We can't even begin to imagine the reality of it. We are the generation of the BEFORE. Before the Internet.
When I was born, no one facebooked about it. It was private, but not lonely.
My children will never know the world before the Internet. They will never know how many books I used to read. They will never know me without a gadget in my hands. They will never glory in the Dewey decimal system. They will never have to pay for a long distance phone call. They won't miss, so deeply, someone's voice.
There is so much connectedness. It makes me tearful, this new world. It makes me want to scoop them up and take them to a different place and time. Take them somewhere simple. Take them to where technology won't sweep away their childhood. Their perceived innocence.
I want to let their brains unfold without stuffing them full. I want them to be bored. I want them to go play.
It's not even about parenting. It is about ourselves and our humanity. (Click to Tweet).
I know you feel it too.
-Hannah
