My Unplugged Day (and a giveaway!)
Ever wonder what your life would be like if you didn’t have technology? No iPhone constantly notifying you, no Facebook feed to peruse, no TV show chattering in the background as you make supper…
Don’t get me wrong – I love technology. I love the opportunity it gives us to connect with others and to discover new ideas. I mean, I’m a blogger!! 🙂 It’s so fun scrolling through my Instagram feed and seeing snippets of others’ daily life and small joys, and I adore the convenience of using Pinterest to find a new outfit or recipe! I believe that if we know how to use technology effectively and prioritize well, it can definitely be something that enriches our life!
On the other side of things, I’ve always wondered what my life would be like without technology. I grew up reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and later began to learn eagerly about the Amish and how they live. Although I couldn’t go back in time to visit Laura Ingalls Wilder, my dream of visiting the Amish was fulfilled this past summer! You can read about our time STAYING WITH the Amish in Pennsylvania in this post!!
So, when I was approached about doing an “Unplugged Day” campaign, I knew it was a challenge I wanted to try. Aside from being allowed to use the camera feature on my phone, I set aside a Sunday a few weeks ago to spend without the use of technology!
It was a bit harder than I thought…at least in terms of my phone use. Bjorn and I actually don’t have a TV – we don’t want one! – so that wasn’t an issue. But I didn’t have my iPhone in my pocket or near me all day, which felt so weird! I felt like I was missing something for sure. It really got me wondering how many times I must check my phone in a day! But once I got over that feeling of needing to “stay updated,” it was freeing! I spent time baking, reading, playing the piano, doing laundry, writing letters…not bad! 🙂
^^ “Family Life” is actually a magazine written by and for the Amish – although anyone can get a subscription. It’s fun reading their puzzlers, poems, opinion articles, and farm-life anecdotes. ^^
I received this shirt as part of the “Unplugged” campaign. It’s the kind of shirt I’m happy to have around – not only does it portray an important message, but it has a nice feminine cut! Not another boxy shirt. 🙂
All in all, I spent more time just soaking up quality time and conversation with my husband. I was productive and more joyfully present, something I’ve been needing to focus on recently. I’m so glad I did this challenge. It really got me thinking – and I’ve kept a watchful eye on just how “obsessed” with checking things I can get. Having an “unplugged day” helped to strengthen my resolve to be present in the moment!
What a neat concept an “unplugged day” is! And it’s a fun reminder for me to have this shirt around! Now you have the chance to win one of these “Unplugged” T-shirts, made by Creative Expressions, for yourself! Check out the giveaway below!
What would you do on an “unplugged day?” Do you feel technology rules your life? How do you manage your time spent on your computer or phone?
Oh gee, I would spend my time cleaning out closets. My home would be oh so happy!
Kelly, I’m totally with you on that one!! When I’ve got a set-aside space of time away from technology, I get so much cleaning done! 🙂
I would spend the day enjoying the outdoors and time with my family.
That sounds wonderful!! 🙂
i love a day unplugged! fantastic.
Laura, it really was rewarding. It may be something to do again someday! 🙂
I would spend it doing regular household chores, reading a book, I don’t do cold so I would be snuggled up inside. What a wonderful thought, I have unplugged from facebook several times for a couple of days and that was really nice but I haven’t unplugged completely as in no car, tv, radio, phone, coffee pot, hmmm, I might not make it thinking of all that! Give me a coffee pot and a radio or cd player no problem with the other stuff.
Wow! I didn’t do no coffee pot! That’d be really challenging but neat, Tina! And I totally agree – I love days when we can just snuggle up inside the house! 🙂
Wow, being unplugged would be a challenge for most people, but a blogger?! My phone would be the most difficult part. Although I find it freeing to be unplugged for a bit, I think I would have a hard time with 24 hours!
🙂 you’re right, Kerri! I kept feeling an invisible “tug” to have to check on my iPhone! It is challenging!
Wow, thank you for sharing your story and being so honest. I would very confidentially say that the majority of people would struggle to “unplug”. I am embarking on a month long hike in the summer, which will mean only being able to access the internet etc once a week, I’m looking forward to being away from the internet, and remembering what a beautiful world we live in outside of social media 🙂
It’sMyLife
Thanks for your comment, Miriam! I think most people (myself included) would struggle to unplug – especially for more than a day. Your summer hike sounds amazing!! What a special and freeing experience it will be! Yes, it is fun (and rewarding) to ignore social media sometimes!
A day without technology would mean I am spending my day traveling. Hopefully in Paris, France. (:
Ashley, that sounds great!! Exploring is so fun – and especially it would be a blast to spend the day in Paris!!
Reading a book — would probably get a lot more done around the house.
I totally agree, Marilyn! I love those “slower” feeling days when you can either choose to be productive, or spend time curled up with a book!
sleeping 🙂
Sounds great, Cynthia!! 🙂
I spent four months without my phone when I was in South Africa and it was so refreshing! I had to go buy a watch though, because I never knew what time it was without my phone! 😉
🙂 Haha, I know what you mean, Emily!! I should really invest in a watch because when I’m teaching, I just have to rely on a clock in the room or hallway!! No phones allowed during the day, basically! 🙂 Your 4 months in South Africa always sound like an amazing adventure to me! I’m glad it was such a great experience 🙂
Hmm, if I were to unplug for a day… I’d probably do a few different things, depending on the time of year. If it’s in the summer, I would definitely get outside and get together with my friends to go swimming or to an amusement park. If it was right now though, I’d just curl up with a good book or even better, go to the bookstore for the day… that would be heaven for me!
Ooh, a bookstore! Now that would be a wonderful way to spend a day without a phone! I love your other ideas, too! 🙂
I would spend it being outdoors and maybe reading a good book! Such a great idea…technology takes up a lot of my time and energy. It would be good to devote a day or two to being unplugged from time to time.
Thanks for your comment, Jennay! You’re so right – technology really takes up a lot of time and energy.. it always gets me thinking about what other people (like the Amish) or even what those people a hundred years ago were able to accomplish in a day without technology!
I actually did an ‘unplugged day’ between Christmas & NYE. We decided (on a whim) to repaint my son’s room. 10hrs later after the painting was done & everything cleaned up, I realized we had been unplugged from phones, computers, TV, etc. & wanted to finish the day that way. We wrote Christmas thank you letters, cleaned, cooked & played board games until going to bed. If I had thought ahead of an ‘unplugged day’ it would have seemed daunting, but it was actually pretty easy! Definitely going to have another unplugged day soon!
That sounds like such a wonderful day, Kim!! Thanks for sharing about it! Wow, you really got a lot done that day – and got quality family time in, too! What a wonderful reason to do it again sometime soon 🙂