I got this pitch the other day to join the National Day of Unplugging. I figured I could be strong, join the cause and unplug my toaster for 24 hours. Yes, it would be a sacrifice to go without hot, buttery toast but I am nothing if not a survivor.
But apparently, toasters aren’t the key focus. They want you to unplug and stay away from things like iPhones, iTouches and computers – you know the tech gadgets that sustain life and keeps us from spiraling into a deep pit of boredom and despair.
I remember trying this unplug thing once before in the 80s when I was only addicted to my walkman, Ms. Pac-man and the boob tube and it went reasonable well until I was aimlessly cracking walnuts and counting the threads of our green wall to all carpet and thought, “Maybe I better just watch a few minutes of ‘Too Close for Comfort.'”
Because I have failed at this before, I know I will need a wingman. I emailed Rick to see if he would be on board with this unplugging.
“Sure. I’ll do it. I don’t even like toast,” he replied.
Common misinterpretation obviously. I explained that we would have to go without phones and gadgets and TV.
“Wow. We’d live like the Amish?” he asked.
“Yup.”
And at that point, we mysteriously lost our connection.
Thankfully the people behind this effort give you a list of things that you can do instead of tweeting and updating Facebook. Like take a nature walk or have a family yoga or dance party.
I’m already jazzed about the nature walk but I’m also all about loop holes so I immediately inquire how we are supposed to have a “dance party” without music from our iTouch or Ipod.
And those crafty unplug people replied, “Our thought was maybe creating your own music to dance to with some DIY musical instruments!”
Oh those guys are good.
So will you all do this with me? I feel like it’s a great way to practice the art of being more present. We can even count how many times we reach for our phones!
It’s from sundown on Friday, March 7 to sundown on Saturday, March 8th. That’s not so long, right? And afterward, we can all discuss our enormous self growth and then post our thoughts on Facebook.
20 Responses to so we are unplugging! who’s with me? hello?
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kelcey kintner
Great idea, I’m in!
…is there a prize? I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY WE’D DO THIS?! 😉
No. Just no. Sorry.
I’d love to… but I work… and my whole work-life revolves around the internet.
It does sound like an amazingly good excuse to take time off work though……..
Uhhhh….nope. 🙂
That sounds dangerous. What if I’m on a ventilator or need to tweet or something?
You said “boob tube”! I’d love to but I really wouldn’t love to. So you keep doing you. (and I just puked in my mouth by typing those words…)
GOOD LUCK!
I’ll do it, but only if the organizers of this day can get the message out through unplugged means. As soon as either I see a note hand-printed and hand-delivered or hear a town crier announce.it – I’m on board!
Love it. The best part is that they’re reaching out to bloggers over the internet!
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I do this every week on Shabbos. It is VERY liberating.
I do this once a year when we go and visit my family in Minnesota. They live out in the country so cell service is pretty non-existent, they don’t have a computer and cable is so basic there is no point in even watching…last summer it was a whole week before I found out Kim Kardashian had her baby!!! It’s like a whole other world when you unplug, we really do enjoy some great family time!!
I’m in. I find myself checking my iPhone way too often. Then I make the excuse, “I’m taking a picture!”. I need to put it all away and just focus on the moment with my kids.
Think it’s so refreshing to take a break from being online-I make it a rule to totally switch off on holiday or weekends away-hard when blogging is your job but I force myself! Thanks for this-totes going for the family yoga party too!
I like it. In theory.
I’m not sure – my kids eat a lot of toast and I don’t want to hear them whine.
As far as computers/phones go, that day is halfway through my husband being gone for a week so I think it may be in everyone’s best interest for me to have a social media escape;)
You have a house alarm, right? Guess you’ll be stuck indoors all day since you won’t be able to turn it off to leave. Have fun with that. Says that lady who couldn’t leave the house this morning because her house alarm couldn’t find an internet OR a satellite OR a cell phone tower to talk to so she had to stay in and be its friend.
If it was not a work day I would definitely be in – I am just sure how productive teaching students on unplugged computers would be . . . xo
This’ll be so easy.
We’re already the last Amish family in this town. (my husband has us on this family saver phone plan just one step above Cricket phones)
Sounds like a great idea. Besides the fact that I spend my entire workday in front of a computer. So, maybe I’ll do it a day later? I really spend way too much time with my phone in my hand.