You Have to Disconnect to Feel Connected

With all the technology, text necking and text thumbing going on, why do we still feel so disconnected?Now more than ever, the blue-light stare is upon us. I see it everywhere and I'm no exception to it. That thing we hold in our hands, everywhere we go and can't be away from.

I recently got my teens iPhones. I still don't know if it was the right decision. I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I see the wonderful aspects of it and use it daily. I also see the side effects of it and curse the fact we aren't just gardening for our food and living simpler, less complicated lives.

We are more 'connected' than ever before in the history of man, yet I see lonely, unfulfilled people (with phones) all around. We have become more disconnected from one another. I don't see the same neighbor interactions I remember from my childhood. Everyone looks at their phones and don't look at one another, face-to-face, as often.

It's certainly no replacement for real, live interaction. The love we crave and want to give can ONLY happen in person. The rest of it is supportive but not a replacement for what was meant to happen naturally. It's kinda like using your gut as a garbage can and then expecting some over-the-counter multivitamin to make up for the veggies you don't eat.

According to an article on HuffingtonPost.com,

"And this culture of constantly being plugged in harms more than just our love lives. The majority of young people feel that constant connectivity is taking a negative toll on their lives and relationships: According to a recent Intel survey, over 60 percent of young people say that they rely on technology too much, and that it can be dehumanizing."

It even has an effect on our short-term memory, especially teens and younger kids. Ever been told something by someone speaking to you while you were on your phone and you have no recollection of it? Yeah. Me, too. That's why I'm telling you this.

Parenting expert and author, Rebecca Jackson, suggests this:

"Whenever possible, power-down before conversations

Stop the conversation. If you find yourself in a conversation with your child and hear their phone ding or vibrate, stop the conversation. Let them know you want them to take a moment and power-down; they can turn their cell phones back on when you are finished."

Being fully present is important in conversations with anyone. It helps cut down on frustration and miscommunication, which saves time and energy in the long run. Plus, when we are fully heard, we just feel a whole lot better. It's worth a try. I'll include it as part of my practicing my survival strategy this winter: doing hygee like Denmark does winter.

Categories: Articles