Internet Free

Not having internet access over the weekend was a blessing in disguise. I think what makes family time fun is when you are present and not all that concerned about email or cell phone signal so you are forced to unplug from technology and let the cares that come along with by-the-minute emails go out the window. 

Our home was like a magical fairytale land where no one could call us and no one could reach us over the weekend so we had absolutely no choice but to unwind and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the company with one another. Daniel and I went out walking around our neighborhood and found his favorite shoe store only three blocks away from our home.  

On Sunday, we read come follow me and paused at each assignment and had time to relax for a change. My weekend became very productive. I was able to organize all my drawers. Worked on writing on my book, played the piano, read another good book and read more scriptures than usual. The World Health Organization warns: "Children 2-4 no more than 1 hour of screen time per day, under 1? No screen time at all! 

Did you know that on average there are more screens in a home than members of a family? Definitely true! Count how many are in yours and you'll be amazed. Studies are showing that the average young person will have had more screen time than they will have had hours in the classroom by the time they graduate. 

Every single one of us needs that time away. It allows us to clear our minds, to reset, and to actually pause long enough to sort out all the thoughts in our own heads.  Sometimes we go so fast and so furious that we are just going through the motions without even taking the time to think about where we are trying to head with our lives.  So taking that time away from technology is the only way to really step back from the day to day madness and regroup as a person. And there is no need to feel guilty about taking time off from work because you will come back a much better and more productive person when it’s over. 

Some of you may be disciplined enough to simply turn them off, but for those who are truly addicted like I am, it takes an internet block off where you are forced into electronic silence submission with no internet or cell access available to stay away from those devices. I know the thought of that probably sends many of you into a cold sweat just thinking about it, and trust me when I tell you that I understand that anxiety completely, but you have to believe me when I tell you that yes, you will be going through major withdrawals for the first two or three hours, but then something truly magical happens…

After those first few hours of cold sweats and constant looking down at your I-phone for those little bars to appear just long enough to download a message you will suddenly hit this moment of “wait, there is nothing I can do about it if the internet is down. “It is what it is” and then when you know is not anything you can fix, the anxiety stops, the cold sweats subside, and the next thing you know you have broken that addiction for the rest of the weekend.  You can laugh and smile and enjoy yourself completely.  You can relax and unwind and be present. It is MAGIC! 

My suggestion today is to plan your techno-free time and make it happen. But make sure that when you schedule a not internet time it truly is a non-working, non-texting, non-emailing time off where you can relax and enjoy your family completely. For people like us who are fully addicted to their i-phone and who cannot seem to pull away from the computer or I-pad having no internet should be a MUST DO! Try it from time to time because I have decided that everyone needs to find a way to leave the computer and the phone to reconnect with one self and family.

(Photo courtesy of Cristi Dame on How Does She) 

Con amor,

Vero