Wonderful post, Daniel. You are a unique young man. This has challenged me. Even at my age, the digital tentacles are always trying to get a grip. I thought I was doing well until I read this. 🫤 Looking forward to these weekly post and maybe commenting with my progress in response.
Thank you so much for reading, the kind words and encouragement! I want to encourage you in return. Don't be too hard on yourself. It is so easy to become addicted to digital technology. But it is also completely possible to set boundaries in terms of how you use it. It is difficult and it makes you bit of a contrarian but that's a good thing. I hope to hear about your progress!
This is so good and great inspiration! I’m in my final week of my first 30 day digital detox and I’ve been loving it. I feel much less anxiety and stress, and I’ve been more present for my 3 little boys. One reason I always have my phone handy is because my husband is deployed and I never want to miss a call. BUT that doesn’t mean I need to be checking my phone every 2 minutes. Even after my detox is over, I’ll have strict parameters on social media usage on my phone. I love sharing our life and connecting with people I care about, but I abhor scrolling mindlessly. Thanks for sharing your experience here!
Having a spouse who is deployed would make it incredibly difficult to stay away from the phone. Good for you for being strong and committing to a detox’s that’s amazing and you should be applauded. The next steps in being disciplined after the detox is over will be easier for you now as you have experienced the value in letting go. Thank you for reading and for sharing! I hope your amazing progress continues!
I grew up in the analog era. People scrolling on phones miss so many opportunities, not only with family as described in this essay but with other “strangers” - other parents, other members of your local community - while waiting in line, in waiting rooms, at parks, and so on. Focus on the phone means missing your surroundings - the sky, flowers, beautiful houses, birds, insects and on and in. Digital detox comes easily for me; I’m so glad to hear that others are taking up the mantle!
I grew up in the transition. I’m almost 33 and from the rural south. I grew up with landline phones and remember when the internet was not yet in everyone’s home. If it was available it was very slow. I remember taking a trip to New York City before I got a smartphone and being baffled by the fact that literally everyone in New York had an IPhone. So I guess I have some analog sensibilities. And I agree we do miss those great opportunities to meet strangers and observe our surroundings when we can’t look away from our screens.
Funnily enough I left my phone at home yesterday when I took the children to the park. I told my husband we were going first. I figured if there was an emergency there are always plenty of other people with phones nearby. It was weird but good not having the phone. I took a book instead!
I hope what you’re feeling is conviction and encouragement and not condemnation. And I will pray for you!! Consider doing some sort of 30 day digital detox for August! That even gives you a day in the month to not detox haha
But seriously I will pray for you and encourage you and help in any way I can! Thank you for reading!
Wonderful post, Daniel. You are a unique young man. This has challenged me. Even at my age, the digital tentacles are always trying to get a grip. I thought I was doing well until I read this. 🫤 Looking forward to these weekly post and maybe commenting with my progress in response.
Thank you so much for reading, the kind words and encouragement! I want to encourage you in return. Don't be too hard on yourself. It is so easy to become addicted to digital technology. But it is also completely possible to set boundaries in terms of how you use it. It is difficult and it makes you bit of a contrarian but that's a good thing. I hope to hear about your progress!
This is so good and great inspiration! I’m in my final week of my first 30 day digital detox and I’ve been loving it. I feel much less anxiety and stress, and I’ve been more present for my 3 little boys. One reason I always have my phone handy is because my husband is deployed and I never want to miss a call. BUT that doesn’t mean I need to be checking my phone every 2 minutes. Even after my detox is over, I’ll have strict parameters on social media usage on my phone. I love sharing our life and connecting with people I care about, but I abhor scrolling mindlessly. Thanks for sharing your experience here!
Having a spouse who is deployed would make it incredibly difficult to stay away from the phone. Good for you for being strong and committing to a detox’s that’s amazing and you should be applauded. The next steps in being disciplined after the detox is over will be easier for you now as you have experienced the value in letting go. Thank you for reading and for sharing! I hope your amazing progress continues!
You’re welcome and thank you!!
I grew up in the analog era. People scrolling on phones miss so many opportunities, not only with family as described in this essay but with other “strangers” - other parents, other members of your local community - while waiting in line, in waiting rooms, at parks, and so on. Focus on the phone means missing your surroundings - the sky, flowers, beautiful houses, birds, insects and on and in. Digital detox comes easily for me; I’m so glad to hear that others are taking up the mantle!
I grew up in the transition. I’m almost 33 and from the rural south. I grew up with landline phones and remember when the internet was not yet in everyone’s home. If it was available it was very slow. I remember taking a trip to New York City before I got a smartphone and being baffled by the fact that literally everyone in New York had an IPhone. So I guess I have some analog sensibilities. And I agree we do miss those great opportunities to meet strangers and observe our surroundings when we can’t look away from our screens.
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Thank you for sharing; your children will and do notice your attention (or not!) All the best to you and your family.
Funnily enough I left my phone at home yesterday when I took the children to the park. I told my husband we were going first. I figured if there was an emergency there are always plenty of other people with phones nearby. It was weird but good not having the phone. I took a book instead!
Daniel this was so convicting. Thank you for the call-out and the encouragement. Please pray for me!
I hope what you’re feeling is conviction and encouragement and not condemnation. And I will pray for you!! Consider doing some sort of 30 day digital detox for August! That even gives you a day in the month to not detox haha
But seriously I will pray for you and encourage you and help in any way I can! Thank you for reading!