A Unique Staycation
Confessions from my technology fast
by Jeri Cartwright
Utah CEO 9/2009
My summer staycation: Eight precious days with minimal technology. No computing, checking e-mail or using social media. I even taped a piece of paper over the blinking message light on my landline phone. It was my great experiment.
The day before embarking upon my staycation, I received sad, tragic news. A cousin, planting flowers in her garden, was killed when a speeding vehicle lost control and landed in her yard.
Mid-week, I learned that a friend’s teenage son had died. End of week, I decorated family graves. On the way to the cemeteries, I barely avoided a high-speed head-on crash with a vehicle coming at me in the wrong lane. My hand covered my pounding heart. I gasped for breath. These events were both sad and frightening, but I chose to consider them a gift. They made life feel more precious, and made me more determined to make my days off very meaningful.
I’ve returned from my staycation. Here are some observations:
- The first two days were the hardest. At first I threw myself into house projects. Then I remembered I was supposed to be on staycation, and backed off.
- I learned to “space out” again, to take a brain break. While sipping a drink at a sidewalk cafe, I became bored and automatically reached for my smart phone. STOP! I put it back and learned the art of staring at city birds on cement.
- I started noticing people again — their smiles, frowns and other expressions.
- I wanted “throughout the house” music. Couldn’t do it without firing up iTunes. I hadn’t used my stereo in years.
- I ran out of a number of supplements that cannot be purchased locally. I HAD to go online to order them.
- When the computer is on, I shop. When it is off, I don’t. Hmmm … turn off technology, save money?
- My nerves are calmer. The odd facial twitches I developed from stress at the computer simply went away.
- I learned to garden, something I have never done.
- I couldn’t indulge in my hobbies — they are all computer-based.
- When I needed a phone number or directions, I was forced to use my iPhone. I don’t think I know how to use a phone book anymore.
- I didn’t eat over my desk. The art of enjoying, truly tasting food, made a comeback.
- Best of all, I spent quality time on the front porch giving delicate head rubs to my pet parrot Snicker and gecko Larry.
As I write this, eyes on the glare of the screen, fingers relearning the keyboard, I have a sense of longing for the simple. I gaze through the window. A gloriously green world and light rain beckon. Yet here I sit, robbing myself of nature’s calm.
Don’t get me wrong — I love technology. But I hate what it has done to my moments of serenity.
Back to work.
Article originally appeared in Utah CEO.