I have a compulsion to check my iPhone. I find a reason to hit the button at the bottom of the phone in between my shower and getting dressed, during meals, after I turn the car off before I go into a store, right before I go to my yoga mat… constantly.
I check and respond to texts and email and Facebook comments and Instagram likes and tweets all damn daylong. Like it’s my job. Like it’s my passion. (It’s not.) If I’m away from my phone for too long (like during a movie) the first thing I do is find it, check it, and then relax again.
I’ve taken a month off from teaching yoga but I still feel stressed and like I “must” do things and what I’ve realized is that the thing that I feel like I have to do, I must do, I cannot relax until I do it: is check my phone and respond to people within 24 hours. I like to share. (Most of the people who know me best would call me someone who overshares.) What I have found is that for me – technology does not make me feel more connected. At least it has stopped allowing me to feel more connected for the time being.
I even made my best friend promise to like my Instagram posts because I feel like it’s part of my branding and just maybe this stuff will add up to yoga teaching and writing opportunities. (Big surprise – it hasn’t!) No more. (Mark, please feel free to ignore anything that I post on social media if you don’t truly like it!)
So for the next week, I’m going analog. I will check my email for thirty minutes on my laptop once a day in the morning after a cup of coffee. I will call my mother in the morning. I will use my phone only as an actual phone. I’ll put it in the glovebox while I’m driving (if I need it for Triple A) and I’ll keep it in the corner on a shelf when I’m at home (ringer on when I’m awake and ringer off when I’m asleep). I will not log in to Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or even use my phone for Fandango or directions.
I’m going to carry a camera. I’m going to swim. I’m going to read tangible books. I’m going to shop in brick and mortar stores. (I’m also going to have to carry a map!) I’m going to cook without posting photos. I’m going to practice yoga (or not) without worrying about what the hell I’m wearing and wondering if someone does photograph it – will I look cute?
Call me if you know my number and I’ll answer if I’m not busy living.
Gone Analog,
Lee Anne (LA) Finfinger
