beach

beach

This is a technology blog, and so we talk a lot about technology.  But can you blame us?  It’s our passion.  It’s what drives us.  I personally like the ability to take technology and use it in ways to improve upon our health and wellness.  But there is another side of technology that we don’t always talk about.  Some people can become addicted to their smartphones. Many people don’t go through an entire day without using some kind of technology.  I for one am constantly using it.  Which makes me wonder if I could go a week, a day, or even an hour without it.  From my iPhone to my MacBook, to the Bluetooth in my car, to the way that I watch TV.  It all requires an internet connection of some kind.  Heck, even the way we read books these days uses technology.

But there is a part of me that yearns for a simpler time.  A time when we were less connected.

I remember interacting with my first boyfriend.  A mutual friend of ours called me on the telephone (yes, it was a landline) and asked if I would go out with him.  But, being the type of girl that I am, I played hard to get.  I told him, I’d call him back and let him know.  And so I took the time to make that decision.  I also remember it was the summer, and I was home alone.  I put on one of my mom’s records and zoned out.  The sun was shining, the birds were singing and I didn’t have a care in the world.  Sure, you could say that a record player is a form of technology, but it wasn’t bringing me closer to anyone.  Instead, it was giving me an experience.  Can we say that about today’s technology?

samsung tablet

Further to that, can we go to a place where we can truly escape?  For me, that would require time travel.  I’d go back to that place.  To that time.  I’d head out to the yard and lay in the hammock.  But maybe I’m over glamorizing my childhood, rather than thinking about it as an escape. Is there a place for any of us that truly exists without technology?  I’ve been contemplating a weekend alone lately.  Somewhere out of the city.  Maybe a cottage on the beach.  But what will I do when I get there?  Well, I’d go to the beach, but I’m probably going to take pictures – with my smartphone, so I’m not truly away from it.  I mean, I need to be able to keep in touch with certain people.  Especially my family, who worry about me when I travel alone.

kindle

If I’m being honest, the only place that I’ve been lately where I could escape technology completely is the pool.  I don’t wear my Apple Watch because it’s old, and not waterproof, which means, the phone and the watch have to stay in my locker.  Where am I going with this?  Well, some would say that you need time away from technology, and I’d agree with that to a certain extent.  Technology is such a huge part of our everyday lives, we can’t escape it completely.

Let’s say that I do take that trip to the beach. I’m going to book the cottage on Airbnb.  I’m going to want to make sure that my mother can get a hold of me if she needs to, so I’m going to have my phone.  I think there’s a difference between being addicted to your phone, and being able to put it away for a few hours to focus on what’s important.  Whether that’s just getting some rest, or spending time with your loved ones.  Technology isn’t necessarily the enemy.  We just need to figure out a better way to manage its consumption.

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