I had a dream the other night that I lost my cell phone. Actually, it was a nightmare.
I remember vividly where I was at the very moment that I realized the phone was missing. It felt as though someone had stolen my wallet. I began to think about all of the photos, videos and information that is on that one piece of mobile technology and my heart sank even further. Then, sheer panic set in.
It was a scene right out of a movie script in which I frantically retraced my steps and had absolutely no luck. It was gone. Forever. And I had to deal with the emotion and aftermath…until of course, I woke up.
And when I awoke I was never so thankful to see that shiny black piece of technology resting so peacefully on my nightstand.
But in retrospect, why did the mere thought of losing a cell phone have such an effect on me? I mean, it’s just a cell phone and it’s replaceable, right?
Fast forward a few days later, I was drinking some coffee and tweeting from my computer as the kids were enjoying a little morning dose of Yo Gabba Gabba before they went to pre-school. Within moments of tweeting online, I was one of many who were slammed with that massive attack accessing Twitter from the web recently. First, I feared for my Twitter account and had no idea what would come of it. Next, I feared for my computer…
It was all happening so fast and through such a chaotic and frantic state of mind, my son slowly walked over toward me. He looked very concerned.
He grabbed my hand as well as my attention and asked, “Mommy, what’s wrong? Why do you look so upset?”
I stopped.
I put my coffee down.
I shut the laptop.
And I sat next to my kids on the couch.
I unplugged.
I arrived at a pivotal moment where I appeared to have scared my child enough to think there was something wrong and I never want my child to see me worrying over computer issues, a Twitter account or the remnants of a potentially lost cell phone. There are so many other things to stress about in life and the aforementioned should never be part of it.
It turns out that my Twitter account was fully restored and my laptop was completely fine. However, it’s so easy to sometimes get wrapped up in this kind of drama as it unfolds and I’ve learned to be mindful of the fact that it’s only technology and there are far more important things in life that need my immediate attention.
The only real communication of monumental importance has to come from my children first – and the moment they begin to “tweet” with me – I know it’s time to unplug.
So true! I have been “unplugging” alot lately. I’ve been spending alot less time on the computer and spending more time with the family. I think we just get so caught up in it, other people’s lives, the drama, everything. It’s nice to step back and breath once in a while.
I’m trying so hard to learn this lesson, to be better at setting it aside and when I do to really set it aside and not think about it. I call it late-onset ADD. It’s so hard to do. But reminders like this are important and help shed some perspective on reality. Thank you!
I know it’s time to unplug when my son has been trying to tell me something for a while with no response, suddenly yanks on my arm. Later, I feel terrible that he had to do that to get my attention. Glad to hear I’m not the only one.
Alison,
You are SO not alone and I bet if you asked, many more bloggers would share that they feel the same way!
It IS so hard to remember that the computer – email, Facebook, Twitter, blogs – are just secondary to what’s really important. I tell myself I am going to check in for five minutes, and the next thing I know, it’s been 30! I left the Blackberry at home tonight (only because it was drying out from being caught in the rain )while we went to dinner but it was so nice…maybe I’ll start doing that more often.
Great post!
You are so right! This is the exact reason why I’ve taken several breaks from blogging over the recent months. Family time should come first, always!
Tami,
Yes, and I find the more you blog, the more active you become in social media so when you add in Twitter, FB, in addition to writing quality posts – you can quickly get wrapped up in it all.
I am also a WAHM so this is a balance I struggle to find daily. Thanks for your comment!
I’ve been unplugging and stepping back more lately. Especially from twitter…that place can suck away my entire day if I will let it.
I needed to hear this! I really did! My blog has kinda taken over my life lately.
Thank you.
Sometimes, I think it’s these ‘reminders’ that put everything back into perspective, right?
I have to do this at least twice a week for ME! I have a tendency to put the Boy to sleep and then get online. As if I am going to miss something. I end up missing nothing and then getting mad at myself for staying up too late.
I also have to do this when it’s just me and the Boy because I won’t get these lazy mornings back .
So incredibly true. I need to unplug one of these days. I have felt so out of it having gone back to work full time as I’ve been watching the world unfold on twitter as a lunchtime treat as opposed to being part of it all. The reality is that at the end of the day, I am healthy- my daughter is healthy- and life continues. Worrying about my twitter exposure or online interactions cannot define me….but still, it is hard.
Good for you!
I recently started pulling away from the computer more. Then I stopped my phone from auto-syncing so that my phone wasn’t constantly letting me know of incoming e-mails, etc. At first it was something I forced. Then, the more I spent time with my family and remembered what it was like to NOT be glued to the computer the more I really started enjoying LIFE. I still love blogging and will be doing it for a very long time (hopefully)…but I’m going to live life…unglued.
Exactly. Enjoyng LIFE and living LIFE – I am right there with you!
Hi! Yeah, I think my blog has literally almost been taking over my life lately. Honestly, it consumes me to the point where I do take breathers and go and try to explore the outside world more.
I think we all need moments like these. I think that I am more concerned with my reliance on technology with my 10 year old. I Work Outside the Home and most days My TweenStar will text me during the afternon after she gets home from school and sometimes she is gone to practice before I get home. My worry is that we rely so much on texting that we avoid “talking ” to each other.
There are often days while I am at work that I am so relieved to have her texting me because it is so much easy than having a conversation that may result in a conflict. I just don’t want to opt out of having conversations because it is easier. It is something I am constantly aware of.
What an excellent point – I’ve always said as much as I love how the internet has connected us, there is also the real possibility of a true disconnect in our own world. It’s like how could we be so connected AND disconnected at the same time – which completely relates to your point about texting…
Absolutely, Positively, YES. So perfectly put. I agree. I love being able to unplug. We recently observed Yom Kippur and the entire day was spent unplugged. No TV. No music. No computer. No phone. I loved it. I couldn’t believe my daughter made it through without any of those (well, TV and computer, she’s only 3-1/2!) too!
Great post! It puts everything into perspective, doesn’t it? I turned my phone OFF for a day and it was WONDERFUL. Although several people were very worried when they couldn’t reach me!! I also spent a day with no computer – WONDERFUL! Those things urged me to do my blog challenge (which is now just finishing so I’m not plugging it or anything here).
I recently lost my iphone for about 6 days and once I got over the devastation of losing a $200 piece of equipment that basically held my life (or so I thought)…. it ended up being some of the best 5 days I have had in a long, long time and I was briefly tempted to just go without a cell phone for good.
Briefly, being the keyword….
I always get panicked when my subscribers disappear or drop on blogger. They always come back! I just need to not let it get to me. My son does help to remind me of what is important.
And to think a few years ago, I didn’t know what an email was, how to turn on a computer let alone knew about a twitter or facebook. Its very addictive and sometimes I have to step away as well. It can be too much!
I unplug every weekend. My rule is no social media/Internet on the weekend. That is family time. I do occasionally break it, but only when my daughter is napping. At first I hated the feeling that I was missing so much (especially on Twitter). But I would feel much worse if I missed the quality time with my husband and daughter.
I “unplug” often! Usually over the weekend I tend to not use the computer very much and if I do it isn’t for long lengths of time. Sometimes I feel a bit neglectful of my blog or that I’ve missed out on something important, but what I gain is time spent with my family and that’s the most important thing!
I hear you! Sometimes I realize that I am more consumed with the computer and not on my kids…that’s when I step away for awhile. It can become addicting! I usually don’t go near the computer on the weekends. That is my time with my family. It helps and definitely refreshes me!
Great post. I too have found myself unplugging more and more. It’s all part of living more intentionally and honestly finding that the things that are most important to me, are not found inside a computer.
I needed this this morning. Because I can not find my blackberry. AND the ringer is turned off, so calling it does absolutely nothing.
Back in July, my 4 year-old spilled water on my laptop and I thought it was ruined forever. I literally SOBBED. Hysterical sobbing…..
Really? Over a laptop? I realized then I needed to get over it. It was a laptop, not a child.
It amazes me about how much our lives are on the comp! Most of my social life is on the comp due to being stuck in the apt a lot. But I always make sure I get out for a walk or do things with Sam away from the comp to get away from it for a bit.
This is a great lesson to us all.
I “unplugged” most of last week. I found myself so busy trying to maintain my social media “schedule” that I was a tad frantic when real life also got busy. It reminded me that sometimes it’s a good thing to just step away and take a break. I had so much more of value to say after some time with my family.
I love this post. It is so so true!! My husband and I were actually just talking about this same subject yesterday. I admit that I spend too much time on my phone surfing the internet and reading blogs on my reader. However, my husband is 10x worse than I am. He is addicted to Twitter. We both agreed that it is time to take a step back for the “crackberries” and really be in the moment with our son.
Thanks for giving me another reminder about that
I just got back from unplugging for almost 4 weeks and honestly it feels great. Now I’m having a hard time trying to jump back into the wagon of blog visits and all blogging related because my son had enjoyed so much times just the two of us – with occasional tweeting from my cell but I do miss the blogging world and all its glory.
Sometimes we do need to unplugged
Greatly written!
It’s true… it’s so important to learn to unplug at home when the kid are around. Good point, totally. I however would FREAK OUT if I lost my iphone!
You’re a smart mom. I think it all boils down to walking in balance and having our priorities in order, which you clearly make every effort to do. I think all of us moms struggle similarly.
I took a three month blogging/Twitter break in March and loved every moment. I came back refreshed; I also implemented some changes that have helped me adhere to the priorities in my heart. It’s a fine line, but I’m determined to walk it. I don’t want my teen daughter’s image of me to be one of a mom hunched over her computer 24/7.
Blessings to you!
Amen! The only time I have ever truly unplugged was when we went on vacation out of the country. It was probably the most liberating feeling ever (which is actually pretty sad)…but alas, the world did not end, work went on without me and my husband and I actually got to enjoy a true vacation from everything.
My husband actually complimented me on how long I was away from my cell phone (and twitter/facebook/texting) on Friday night.
I was on my laptop, working on my sister’s forthcoming website, but I was disconnected from “my community”.
It’s amazing how much we feel the need to “stay connected” and that when we stop multi-tasking and take each moment as it comes how much more satisfied and fulfilled we are!
I took that compliment from my husband and extended it over the weekend – had a blast with my kids and didn’t worry about getting my #strollerstrides tweets out (I was recently hired to tweet for @strollerstrides)
Ugh, I have so been there! And this weekend, while struggling with this overwhelming need to DO IT ALL, I decided to back off (well just a little.) And you know what? So happy I did. I enjoyed time outside with family, realizing how much I missed this simple activity.
Thank you. Sometimes we all need that nightmare to wake us up. I sure don’t want to wake up to find my 2 yr old daughter is 14 and no longer talking to me!
OH I too have had to make myself “unplug” when the kids are around! It seems instead of technology making our lives easier it just makes us more accessible. Great post here Heather! Can’t wait for my next twitter vacation:)
Amen!! I’ve heard from so many moms lately who are realizing the same thing. My friends are leaving facebook, twitter, whatever….realizing that this is precious time we cannot get back. My boys call my time online “mom’s work”. Gosh, I wish I was getting paid for it. It made me realize that my laptop was open far too much.
Your posts are so right on. This past weekend I unplugged for two whole days. And everything was fine! I find myself telling my girls stories about growing up and they’ll say why didn’t you just use your iPhone and I have to explain to them that once upon a time the human race survived without iPhones, without computers, without the internet, without phones, without cars. The look on their faces is always priceless. We really will be fine if we leave the cell phone at home or leave the computer alone for an entire day. Or two. Or Three.
Love this. This is so true. I think we are the first generation to be experiencing this so we are experiments, lol. We will figure it out….all about trial and error.
Oh, so very true! I’ve been there and I’ve done that…thanks for the reminder to stay tuned in to the most important people around us
Oh, gosh, Baby E writes posts with me and tweets with me.
He loves it!!
Definitely a valuable lesson to be learned there. I know I’m guilty of it too.
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I seriously need to unplug more too. I am so plugged-in it’s not even funny. And now with my new gig I’m even more plugged than I was when I was just addicted to my own blog. It’s bad.
Thanks for this excellent reminder! I needed to read a great post like this today!
I tend to get caught up in the surreal world of blogging, tweeting, etc. My two oldest sons are 13 and 11, and I worry that I’m setting a bad example whenever I am on the computer for too long. They watch my actions more attentively than the kindergartener!
I love that you unplugged! That is awesome. I need to remember this post next time my kids are nagging me to get OFF the computer!
This is a topic that is on my mind a lot lately. Unplugging is a necessity. I want to set a good example for my kids, and spending all day glued to my computer is not the way to do it. I can’t even believe it’s a struggle for me – should be a no brainer! The draw of social media… it’s crazy!
Great post! We are such a plugged-in family (my kids are a little older, though) that I think we’d all go through withdrawal if we turned everything off.
sheepishly raising hand….
guilty.
I need to unplug more. Thanks for the gentle reminder and reality check, Heather!
😉
Sat in Starbucks yesterday and every single person around me was either texting on their phone or working on a laptop, people don’t even make eye contact. Made me think I should be WAY nicer to my husband, because how on earth do you find a date if you are suddenly single … it would just be me and my screen (and no guilt and I could surf and type all night ..ok wrong, wrong, wrong, unplug, unplug, unplug!)
I definitely need to take note of this post, and unplug myself.
The lessons come when we’re ready, don’t they? I’ve been trying (and by trying, I mean learning) to put down my phone and truly be with my kids, showering them with attention. So far, the result has been wonderful.
xo
This is so true! I’ve been really focusing on unplugging more often.
I save my computer time for when my kids are occupied!
I could care less where my cell phone is but I would truly freak out a bit if I didn’t have internet access for more than a couple of days. I have heard of this happening to people – computer troubles. Ugh, that would be awful.
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