I wake up every morning to a tiny sound. Far-off at first, but growing louder as my eyes flicker open.
A notification.
My pulse quickens, my eyelids dilate. Who texted me? Who commented on my Instagram picture? Who messaged me on Bumble? I roll over, unplug my phone from its charger, and center the screen between my fingers, hoping it doesn't free-fall towards my face.
I have been trained by technology. It's a part of my routine.
Wake up, check phone, brush teeth, check phone.
So I tried something miraculous: I turned off my phone one morning and waited. Nothing bad happened, no hand emerged from the screen and slapped some sense into me. It was quiet in my room, save for the air conditioning. No notifications, no alarms, no texts. I got breakfast, but the clouds didn't part and send lightning to strike me down. It was peaceful without having to worry about responding to an email.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Of course, I turned my phone on later in the day. But for that brief period of time, I was truly enjoying tuning out. I was able to lie in bed and just think. I wrote in my planner. I snuggled up in a blanket. And life kept moving on.
Sometimes you need to escape from technology and just enjoy the small moments to yourself. It clears your mind and gives you a chance to think clearly for a little while. In a technological world that keeps our heads constantly down, try taking a break, grab a coffee, look up, and watch the world go by.