Happiness is not a matter of intensity but balance, order, rhythm and harmony.

Thomas Merton

My meditation practice has led me to explore unplugging more. I’ve been doing some reading and listening on this topic. While I don’t spend a huge amount of time plugged in (but more than I should) I can find myself scrolling aimlessly for longer than necessary with nothing accomplished other than leaving me with some negative feelings.

If I’m sitting and staring vapidly at a screen looking at or reading about other people supposedly doing then I can’t be out doing, learning, exploring, and living my life!

Since I’m in the process of being more focused and present. I took a hard look at my smart phone use and other electronic distractions. I learned about the Screen Time feature in settings on my iPhone and set that up. This setting lets you see how much time you are spending on your device, apps, games, etc and it also lets you set limits and downtown for your phone (and your kid’s). You choose what apps that you want available and when – the phone part is always available (I also left texting available at all times).

There is a ton of information out there on “breaking up with your phone” here are a couple of podcasts and articles that I found helpful:

• How to Unplug with Danny Kim
• How to Break Your Phone Addiction
• 7 Scary Things You Never New About Cell Phone Addiction
• Smartphone Addiction – NPR
• Similar topic from Hidden Brain – Close Enough: The Lure of Living Through Others
• Tiny Buddha’s How to Create a Balance Life: 9 Tips to Feel Calm and Grounded

I also stumbled across the National Day of Unplugging – “a 24 hour global respite from technology. It highlights the value of disconnecting from digital devices to connect with ourselves, our loved ones and our communities in real time”.