How do we fight digital distractions? Our devices rob us of so much time that can be put to more effective and productive use. I’m led to believe moderation is key and it’s up to us to form positive habits so that we don’t spiral down into a virtual rabbit hole.
What are your thoughts? I recently wrote about this on The Low Tech Trek and am trying to discover ways in which we can curb our distractions as they grow worse and worse over time.
This is an important subject related to health indeed so thank you for posting!! Distracted tech behavior leads to many health risks!
The answer lies within us- we don’t need a project roadmap or app to do this. We all know we are grassroots here, so let’s do it…
THE SINGLE MOST POWERFUL THING WE CAN DO IS GET OFF OUR OWN PHONES… resist the feeling to send that email while in an elevator, or check if someone liked your post on social media or text someone to feel connected.
IF SOMEONE PULLS OUT THEIR PHONE IN PUBLIC WAITING AREA- DON’T DO IT-
How do we do this?? When you notice yourself grabbing for your phone in public STOP 
. Stare ahead at the wall if you have to- don’t worry about those uncomfortable social moments because the truth is…
WHEN WE PULL OUT OUR PHONE- WE ARE ISOLATING SOMEONE ELSE- not just ourselves.
Grassroots organizations do not worry about quick gratification, so I challenge you all to keep your phone in your pocket and know you are doing the right thing.
It’s uncomfortable and inconvenient possibly… but if you are too busy for idle non device moments we must take a serious look at how much we take on everyday.
After a while, I found that the only solution for me was not to own a smartphone.
Everybody will be different, but I think that going back to a basic phone that can talk and text has been the most positive change I have made so far.
I am almost embarrassed to admit it now, but at the time it was kind of “scary”. I wasn’t sure what my friends and family would say. How stupid is that? Yet those feelings were real. Anybody who is “scared” at the prospect of giving up your smartphone: I ask you to stop for a second and consider those feelings of anxiety when you imagine yourself without a smartphone. Do you think those are healthy feelings? In retrospect, I don’t think they were for me, and that’s part of what motivated me to throw my smartphone in the garbage.
Good for you!! @afuchs you make an important point here in that people need to define what healthy is for themselves.
For some it will be creating tech use boundaries on When, Where and Why each time they pull out their phone. And for some throwing it away like you.
Everyone will have their own journey and hopefully choose behaviors that contribute to the health of our fellow neighbors and community.
How about this alternative:
Fighting --> Engaging
Digital --> Bodily
Distractions --> Sensations
Start with your Breath.
There whether you have 1 smart phone. 10 smart phones. Or zero Smart Phones.
xxoo
Maggie
Hi Maggie,
Thanks for your comment! This is so true. I find activating the body is the truly the best gateway to find that balance. I do this a lot in my work through theater and performance practices. I love how you mention starting with the breath; it is so simple and yet so often forgotten.