I chuckle at the fact that I am blogging about my technology fast. It’s kind of an oxymoron.
Towards the end of 08 I made the decision to give up something significant for the first ten days of 2009. I had no idea at that moment that I would be unplugging from the digital world. Over the past year I had become way to attached to my iphone, the internet, twitter, facebook, email, blogs, blogging, etc… So I felt God was telling me to pull the plug.
Did I survive? Yes.
Was it worth it? YES!!!
The first day of my techno fast was like detox. I found myself reaching for my iphone at random moments during the day. It was difficult for me to not know what everyone was up to.
Here are my thoughts from unplugging:
- As I said, the first day was tough.
- First thing in the morning I read my Bible instead of catching up on Twitter.
- I became disciplined about getting up and spending time with God first thing.
- I reconnected with my family.
- My wife and kids got my full attention when I was with them.
- I wasn’t sneaking off to check my messages when I should’ve been playing with the kids.
- I discovered that I love reading books to my kids.
- My wife and I talked alot more than normal.
- When I was on a date with my wife I was actually on a date with my wife…not my phone.
- This was one of the best things that has happened to my marriage.
- I began to sense God’s direction more.
- I desired to serve my wife like never before.
- I began to see things the way my wife sees them.
- I wanted to do things around the house that I typically would’ve ignored.
- I had no distractions while study and preparing messages.
- I hand wrote my messages and had my assistant type them up.
- I felt less stress.
- I felt alive in the moment.
- I realized that I am not the one who holds the universe together…God is.
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I could go on an on about the benefits of my techno fast but the bottom line is this… Fasting from technology has had the single greatest impact on my spiritual life. I highly recommend anyone who feels that technology has become their god to unplug. I think you’ll find something SO much better!Buck Privates Come Home movie download
i am so excited that you learned so much from your techno fast. i guess that moderation is the key is what needs to happen now. way to go, jeff!
Jeff, thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve felt the same way about my use of technology.
What will you do now that the fast is over? It sounds like the benefits were tremendous. Will you make adjustments to how you return to using technology? What adjustments?
kevin,
Yes I will make some major adjustments. At the office I will turn off notifications for twitter and email and I am closing my computer when I don’t need it. At home I will not allow myself to use my phone before going to Gods word. No more phone use in bed. My twitter use has been scaled back once I get home. I’m not carrying the phone with me around the house. I’m trying not to bring my computer home if possible. Those are just a few ideas. I hope they help.
Thanks Jeff. I appreciate you letting us in on your experiment and your new practices. I’m working on several of the same myself!