Since the national shutdown began about a year ago, screens have dominated our experience of life. We attended class online. Many of us went to work online. We watched the world change online. We worked out online, and we maintained our friendships online.
This spring break, nothing sounds better to me than to see the world only in 3D. Overcoming my screen addiction will be a challenge, but my tired eyes and overstimulated brain deserve it.
Though digital technology has kept our livelihoods in motion, the pandemic has blurred the lines between work and life even more than it was before.
Time has seemed to stretch, shrink and disappear under the blue light of our phones. But according to a recent study by Activate, “multitasking leads to a 31-hour day for the average American adult, 12 of which are spent consuming tech and media.”
We feel like time is running out, but when you browse a boutique or attend work during your zoom class, you’re actually stuffing extra hours of activity into a 24-hour day. And unfortunately, multitasking makes us less effective and more stressed.
It is not just the extended days and stress from too much technology that burns us out.
The boundary between work and life was simple when you could just go home. But online, email and GroupMe don’t have business hours.
People have unlimited access to our lives. Peers and bosses can email and text you about work or school at any time because they know you’re probably at home. Zoom calls run over their scheduled time because no one has to get home to feed the cat or make dinner.
Technology is convenient, but too much of it may cost us our focus and sanity. So how do we reestablish work/life boundaries and vacation away from the internet?
Remind yourself, you deserve it!
I treasure the days I can read or paint for fun without having to worry about how it will add to my social or professional currency. But these days, I feel guilty about the time I spend with myself. It’s as if my whole life should be capitalized and put up for auction.
When you are doing absolutely nothing for absolutely no one, remember your free time is just as valuable as the time you spend working.
Automate your emails!
Create an automated email that lets others know you’re on vacation and unable to respond at the moment. You will still receive their message, but the obligation to instantly respond is gone.
We did it before the pandemic, but it’s especially crucial now
Temporarily delete and unsubscribe!
Most social media apps allow you to delete or disengage from your account without fully committing to falling off the grid. These companies understand that their consumers could use a break, and many social network creators prefer life offline themselves.
Allow your monthly streaming subscriptions to end just until spring break is over! Constant streaming suppresses the flow of original ideas! But before you unsubscribe, watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix. It’ll change the way you think about your relationship with the internet (ironic, I know).
When you disconnect from the internet, you restore a weakened connection with yourself. Tap into your idealism, creativity and zen.
Get a real moment to yourself this spring break, and don’t apologize for it.