I know it seems innocent enough. Entertainment at our finger tips, where and whenever we want it. It’s causing this wild shift in the culture of social experience. And I wonder what Alice’s world will be like in 10 years, or 20 years, or 30 years, when she might be a mommy too.
Today I went to the car wash. All the adults were sitting, eyes inches from their phones. Completely distracted, completely detached from the here and now. Only one person was interacting with the world at large… Watching, observing, talking, asking questions, excited, playful, engaged.
A little boy.
Of course, a child. This is his natural disposition, to explore, to self-create, to imagine. Until one of the adults in his life decides he’s too loud, or demands too much attention- and sticks a little colorful screen in front of him. Maybe it’s not as dismal as all this, or as black and white as it seems. As a parent, it makes me reflect on my habits. Lots of bad ones. The example I’m setting. Not all good. I could definitely make improvements.
So how do I make a change? I have some ideas…and I’m curious to know what others of you are doing to “unplug.”
Life is already going by fast enough…I don’t want to miss this part of her childhood.
Whatever I can do to be more present when I’m with her, when I’m with Ken, when I’m with people. Because, truthfully, if I don’t check instagram for a few days my world won’t suffer and things won’t change…except my own experience and my very real relationships will be more fulfilled and have more depth. With those kind of tangible experiences I find my craft and my creativity grows. My designs become more free, less influenced, more directly from me.
Maybe this is coming off as a boring rant…oh well.
If not, maybe you feel like you could change your habits too.
Encourage paper reading, handwriting in journals, passing notes, daydreaming, doodling, dancing like crazy, painting with your fingers, looking out the window, watching the world go by, digging in the dirt, swinging in a swing, the occasional cartwheel, running fast thru the grass – shoes off! It’s ok to leave your phone at home. It’s ok to stop looking at blogs. They’ll be there later.
The flipside: The internet and all these little new ways of interacting have been good for me too. I can’t deny that. I find inspiration there, make new friends, reconnect with people I have lost touch with over time, discover places and art I never would see otherwise,and keep this on-again-off-again journal.
This little screen and its kaleidoscope of windows into other people’s lives…can be so wonderful and alternately it can be such a rabbit hole.
I have mixed feelings. I’m curious how others of you feel?
Some of our recent real life happenings here….
Dear Kate, I often wonder how young children feel about their parents’ infatuation with their cyber toys. I’m lucky that I don’t have to worry about ignoring my children as they are probably about your age! But what you write is eloquent and a much needed message for introspection. Balance, of coarse, is the key and a constant process to acquire. I’ve been away from it all for some weeks due to busyness, but I’m happy to be back for the time being. I appreciate your comments on my instagram stream and love your work.
Love to you and your family, Carolyn
Delightful!
Dear Katie, I think about this everyday. I tell myself to have balance, to unplug more often. I admit this was easier before I broke my arm. Then, I was going to the Y, doing Nia and aerobics four times a week, lots of walking. I still walk, but I have to admit the iPad has helped keep me connected even with my Nia group. Like everything in technology, we have to be selective, evaluate and use wisely. This isn’t easy. It’s very easy to get distracted from one subject to the other, to feel compelled to read posts just because we know the person. There’s a car commercial where the buyer can’t take his eyes off the screen and the salesperson says but wouldn’t you like to take a test drive. The buyer says, wow, that would be so real. Maybe that’s the question. What’s real or more real? We need to opt for that more often.
Thanks for your musings on the subject. I think this is a common quandary. Love you, aunt Gwen
“With those kind of tangible experiences I find my craft and my creativity grows. My designs become more free, less influenced, more directly from me.” — I couldn’t agree more. It’s really amazing how special life becomes when we truly embrace the present! And equally amazing is the perspective of a child. We can learn so much from them 🙂