Class Talk Fall 2016

I strategically chose a time to disconnect when others around me were doing so as well. In this day and age, we rely so heavily on our “connection” to others by social media, to resources online, and everything in between. I felt it would be easier if I kept busy with good company and things that would not require ‘signing on.’ My mom, stepdad, and younger sister are practicing Jews and so every week from Friday evening at sundown to Saturday evening at sundown they disconnect. They do not use any electronics or anything that has an on/off button. I did not do a full 24 hours, but I started late Friday evening through Saturday early evening. I went over to my mom’s house and studied, caught up with my family, and rested. This idea of disconnecting isn’t entirely new to me, but in the past has not been by choice, but rather out of respect for my family’s practices. Without technology, I felt I was more involved in whatever I was passing my time with and the longer I found myself being disconnected, the easier it became.

I strategically chose a time to disconnect when others around me were doing so as well. In this day and age, we rely so heavily on our “connection” to others by social media, to resources online, and everything in between. I felt it would be easier if I kept busy with good company and things that would not require ‘signing on.’ My mom, stepdad, and younger sister are practicing Jews and so every week from Friday evening at sundown to Saturday evening at sundown they disconnect. They do not use any electronics or anything that has an on/off button. I did not do a full 24 hours, but I started late Friday evening through Saturday early evening. I went over to my mom’s house and studied, caught up with my family, and rested. This idea of disconnecting isn’t entirely new to me, but in the past has not been by choice, but rather out of respect for my family’s practices. Without technology, I felt I was more involved in whatever I was passing my time with and the longer I found myself being disconnected, the easier it became.

I strategically chose a time to disconnect when others around me were doing so as well. In this day and age, we rely so heavily on our “connection” to others by social media, to resources online, and everything in between. I felt it would be easier if I kept busy with good company and things that would not require ‘signing on.’ My mom, stepdad, and younger sister are practicing Jews and so every week from Friday evening at sundown to Saturday evening at sundown they disconnect. They do not use any electronics or anything that has an on/off button. I did not do a full 24 hours, but I started late Friday evening through Saturday early evening. I went over to my mom’s house and studied, caught up with my family, and rested. This idea of disconnecting isn’t entirely new to me, but in the past has not been by choice, but rather out of respect for my family’s practices. Without technology, I felt I was more involved in whatever I was passing my time with and the longer I found myself being disconnected, the easier it became.

On Saturday I “disconnected.” I disconnected myself from my phone, my computer, and my tv; and I can honestly say that it was liberating. I feel like our society today is so dependent on technology and social media that we sometimes forget about what is really important in our lives, particularly the people around us. We spend so much time connecting with others via text message and social media that we don’t pay enough attention to the people that are present with us in person. On another note…with the election coming up and with how much negativity and hate is all over the media right now, it was really nice to get away from all of it.

I chose to spend quality time with my boyfriend on Saturday. We both lead very busy lives and it was nice to be able to have some time for ourselves and to be away from technology for a little while. We went on a hike at one of our favorite spots, went to lunch together, and finished out the day by going to church on Saturday night like we do every week. Not having my phone with me and not being “connected” was something I really needed this week. Life has been particularly stressful for me for the last few weeks and having this one day to relax, de-stress, and disconnect was truly helpful. I think we don’t realize how often we actually use our phones because they are such a necessity in today’s society and it becomes a habit to be on our phones a lot. However, when we spend an entire day without it, we really realize how much more time we have for more important things when we are away from our phones. I think it’s important that we remember to disconnect from technology and reconnect with people. 

I really liked the assignment of having to put down our electronics for a day and just enjoy the world and people around us. I often find myself distracted by social media, texts, and emails. At the beginning of my “disconnection”, which was Saturday at 0800, I felt good, like nothing had really happened yet. I was productive with my school work and didn’t get distracted by the need to answer my phone whenever it lights up since I had turned it off. Around 1430 I was getting a little bored since neither of my roommates were home so I decided to take a break from studying and I went to Micheal’s craft store. When I got home I got really antsy since normally when I don’t want to study I will go on Facebook and waste time until I can muster up the courage to open my books. When I had started the day I wanted to go a full 12 hours without technology, but when 1830 rolled around I gave up and turned on the TV and my phone. It was interesting to see how much I rely on technology throughout my day. It was a good scenario to put myself through and it made me realize how much more productive I can be without technology disturbing me. The only thing that could’ve made this experience more positive would have been if my roommates were home. I thrive off human connection, and I was going a little nutty without it!

I really liked the assignment of having to put down our electronics for a day and just enjoy the world and people around us. I often find myself distracted by social media, texts, and emails. At the beginning of my “disconnection”, which was Saturday at 0800, I felt good, like nothing had really happened yet. I was productive with my school work and didn’t get distracted by the need to answer my phone whenever it lights up since I had turned it off. Around 1430 I was getting a little bored since neither of my roommates were home so I decided to take a break from studying and I went to Micheal’s craft store. When I got home I got really antsy since normally when I don’t want to study I will go on Facebook and waste time until I can muster up the courage to open my books. When I had started the day I wanted to go a full 12 hours without technology, but when 1830 rolled around I gave up and turned on the TV and my phone. It was interesting to see how much I rely on technology throughout my day. It was a good scenario to put myself through and it made me realize how much more productive I can be without technology disturbing me. The only thing that could’ve made this experience more positive would have been if my roommates were home. I thrive off human connection, and I was going a little nutty without it!

I really liked the assignment of having to put down our electronics for a day and just enjoy the world and people around us. I often find myself distracted by social media, texts, and emails. At the beginning of my “disconnection”, which was Saturday at 0800, I felt good, like nothing had really happened yet. I was productive with my school work and didn’t get distracted by the need to answer my phone whenever it lights up since I had turned it off. Around 1430 I was getting a little bored since neither of my roommates were home so I decided to take a break from studying and I went to Micheal’s craft store. When I got home I got really antsy since normally when I don’t want to study I will go on Facebook and waste time until I can muster up the courage to open my books. When I had started the day I wanted to go a full 12 hours without technology, but when 1830 rolled around I gave up and turned on the TV and my phone. It was interesting to see how much I rely on technology throughout my day. It was a good scenario to put myself through and it made me realize how much more productive I can be without technology disturbing me. The only thing that could’ve made this experience more positive would have been if my roommates were home. I thrive off human connection, and I was going a little nutty without it!

What a nightmare.

What a nightmare.

What a nightmare.