Today is the National Day of Unplugging. From Sabbath Manifesto, it is very simple: "Take a break. Call a timeout. Find some balance. Recharge." It's an opportunity to briefly step back from the hustle and bustle of our hectic, technology-filled lives.
Sabbath Manifesto lays out ten principles:
The site is very clear in its message that this is about finding balance that works for YOU - "avoiding technology" might mean turning off your cell phone, or avoiding powered devices of any kind: you can observe any or all of these principles to any degree you desire. For example, I won't be drinking wine (blech!), but I will stay off the internet and I will modify the "avoid technology" to include use of my iPod in non-web ways (like my grocery list app). As well, the concept is open to all backgrounds, nationalities, and religions.
I'm attached to the internet in one way, shape, or form, except when I'm sleeping (and even then, my web-enabled iPod is right beside my head). Honestly, the thought of disconnecting for an entire day is more than a little intimidating (read: anxiety-inducing), but maybe that's part of the problem - maybe I *do* need to take a break. This is going to be SCARY hard for me, and I'll be making some concessions to tailor this to fit my needs, but all in all, everything internet-related is getting a time-out for 24 hours as of 5:55pm (according to The Weather Network). The panicky feeling is strong, but so is the desire to do this and the knowledge that I can most certainly complete this challenge.
Could you shut everything off for 24 hours? Would you shut everything off for 24 hours? What would you do to fill the time?
But Chiiiiiiiiiiibiiiiiiiiii (whining). I can go outside AND still have my phone. In fact I exercised today. WHILE playing WWF and listening to my tunes. Gah. Wait. Did you say....drink wine and eat bread? Swap the wine for rum and you got yourself a deal ;)
ReplyDelete24 hours?? Nope, no I wouldn't. I'm not even going to pretend. I've done it before though, it's called camping.
ReplyDeleteI missed the unplugging. It's hopeless....
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