Scary thought isn’t it? In America, technology is at our fingertips or in front of our eyeballs 24/7. We’ve become so used to it that it’s now ingrained in our daily lives. Think about how many times a day you rely on technology to make a phone call, send an email or text message, get directions, research information, look up a recipe, listen to music, watch a TV show. The list goes on…
But what if you didn’t grow up constantly surrounded by modern gadgets? Would you miss them?
Technology helps simplify processes for us in ways we never had before. Finding a recipe is as simple as a Google search. Communicating with someone across the world is as simple as sending an email. You can even Skype them if you want to see them, or they want to show you a cool new art piece they made. The way we communicate with the outside world has drastically changed. While this brings about a lot of good, there’s a downside.
Having cell phones, computer, internet, etc. gives people instant access into our lives 24/7. Expectations to communicate are getting higher and higher. People get upset when we don’t respond to text messages right away. They start analyzing our non-response. Are they mad? Upset? Hurt? Doing something they should be? The answer could be as simple as we were enjoying a movie. The lines between work and home are now also getting blurred. Having access to laptops, cell phones, tablets, WiFi, etc. means offices are becoming mobile. Expectations to extend your workday from beyond the 9-5 office hours are becoming higher and higher.
While there are many benefits to technology (like the ability for you to read this post now), have you ever stopped to wonder if technology is also sometimes getting in the way of living a happy, well-balanced life?
The children at our schools don’t have access to modern technology, yet they seem to be happy with the basics. They have a roof over their head, food in their belly, friends nearby and are working together to better themselves through education. The school provides a more simplified process of education. They students learn through textbooks, and spoken word from their teachers, not iPads and online courses. They do their homework with paper and pencil – giving more incentive to get it right the first time, lest they have to erase and start over again. At the end of the day, the children are still benefitting from the education and going on to live productive, self-sustaining lives. It really makes you wonder if all this technology is necessary?
Ok – I know that’s blasphemous. Of course in our culture today, technology is becoming more and more necessary. But just imagine how much easier life can be if we went back to the basics?
Maybe it doesn’t have to be cutting out technology, but improving your use of technology to simplify your life. Such as changing “do not disturb” settings on your phone during family time. Creating calendar reminders for important events so you don’t need to carry a physical calendar. As much as technology can be a burden sometimes, it can also be an asset.
The past week has been National Simplify Your Life Week. Take a look at your life this past week…we encourage you to reflect and find ways to simplify your life the next few weeks. It could be as drastic as cutting off all technology for a week, then slowly bringing it back in ways that help benefit, not complicate your life. If you don’t want to go that drastic, there are several other small changes you can make that will help streamline different routines in your life. Find one that will bring you the most happiness and tackle it in honor of Simplify Your Life Week!
Peace, Love & Simplify,
Cristen
