How’s your 2011 going so far? Already back to your normal routines after the down time and celebrating of the holiday season?
One of the perks I love of the holiday season is the way it pulls us away from technology and towards the world of true social connection with friends, family and society. We tend to spend more time in our kitchens, around dining tables, and in true stores than we do any other time of the year – and with real people, not online likenesses of those people.
I have a theory that one of the reasons the holiday season is “the most wonderful time of the year” is the true connectedness we have with the people we care about. I have to be honest with you, as I’ve started 2011, I’ve had a bit of trouble getting back into the swing of my usual manic pace of Facebook, Twitter and blogging!
As I reflect on 2010, I’m not so sure I want to return to that manic pace. It truly was insane at times! Honestly, I’m not sure how I pulled off Tweeting on 2 accounts, Facebooking on my account and the ones people asked me to do for them as a contracted spokesperson, writing for my 3 online sites (my website, blog and this site), and the many other places I write for. And, let’s not forget the early part of 2010 when I was finishing CyberSafe!!
I lost count of how many times I’d tell my teenage daughters I’d take them somewhere and be ready in “a minute” only to have many “minutes” go by as I wrote that one more post or checked that one last email. It became a joke in my family that a “mom minute” meant at least 30. Pathetic, I know!
So, for 2011, I’m going to do things a bit differently. Offline is my priority. Interesting goal for someone whose profession is online, huh? And, I’m going to suggest you do the same.
Here’s my thinking and there’s a correlary to clinical medicine in this, too.
When I “grew up” in medical school, we didn’t have fancy computers and high tech tests. We had basic lab tests and CT scans, MRIs and that sort of stuff but basically we were taught to use our brains and physical exams, complete with stethoscopes. As more high tech and computerized life has evolved, today’s doctors have flipped that around. They don’t rely on the physical exam to the same extent and that’s a concern. What would they do during a power outage or if they ended up practicing somewhere without the fancy stuff?
Well, just like in my medical world, my real world was once upon a time not so high tech. As my kids love to remind me, I grew up in the “dark ages”. Not so dark as my parents. My parents, after all, only had one phone in their home, TVs were just evolving and cell phones didn’t exist. I remember when the first VCR was developed and we had to wait in line to get movie tickets!
My friends and I used to call each other on the phone, and still do. We used to sit around and listen to records and talk. We didn’t freak if the power went out.
I want my kids to be able to handle a power outage without freaking! Card games, board games, talking…those are all still important skills to have.
Just like tests are an adjunct in medicine, technology and the digital world should be an adjunct to our real, offline lives. It can make our lives better, faster and sweeter but should never replace the true work of living.
With more unplugged time, I can share with you that I’ve found not just more time for family, but I’ve been more productive with work and had more time to pursue hobbies and sports that only a few months ago I would get to at fleeting and unpredictable times.
My advice to you this year is plug in, connect and friend away…but be sure to unplug and do so frequently and daily. That’s where the true living occurs and if you’re as plugged in as you have been, you’ll miss it.
