March 1st Is the Global Day of Unplugging
A chance to remember what it feels like to live in the moment
Digitally Exhausted came to be because I wanted a place to share my thoughts on tech’s societal impact. My writing covers social media’s spaghetti-like complexities, the curiosities of BIG tech, and why digital self-care is just as important as eating your vegetables.A classmate shared that she was cleaning the camera roll on her phone, deciding to get rid of airplane photos (i.e. the kind where you are sitting by the window and snap a quick one of the giant cotton balls gliding by). Awkward but warm giggles vibrated through the call when she shared that she had no idea what flights they were or where she was going, which sparked an entire conversation about taking photos on our phones.
Are you present in the moment
or
are you taking the picture for future you to reminisce on
or
to post on social media?
I have so many pictures of flowers but rarely do I go through my camera roll to look at them. Seldom do I stop to admire their hues, shapes, or smells.
Instead of documenting or sharing, what if we chose to live in the present moment?
This is easier said than done because photos are treasures for the future. They give us the chance to go back in time, to remember what we might have forgotten. But did you know that taking photos (even on a camera) can affect memory?
Devices experience first
Whether it’s the stack of French toast from brunch or the spring sunset, we tend to whip out a phone or device to remember the buttery dough that once melted in our mouth or the sorbet sky that surrounded us months prior.
Phones capture moments but did you know this takes a toll on memory?
In a study, students were asked to walk through a museum and take pictures of the artwork. Turns out, some of the students did not recognize the pieces they had photographed.
Hesitantly, as an experiment, I decided to scroll through my camera roll to see what I do and don’t remember from photos I have taken.
Here is an example of one of the many flower photos I have. From the location labeled on the geotag, I know this was taken in Salthill here in Ireland. Do I remember exactly where? I wish.
This gorgeous egg I captured is in Dublin and can confidently say this was on my way to a friend’s house.
The postcard I found in a coffee shop in Salthill. I do not remember which one because there are three cafes in a row but I believe if I strolled past them I could point out each one.
I don’t necessarily want to remember every detail of experiences I have had because some are enjoyable and others I am more than happy to hit the “delete” key on. And is there a real need to know everything? If I want to find those flowers again or buy that postcard, it would be a handy superpower.
The brain is a librarian absorbing facts and information, sorting what it deems relevant to store in our memory. So perhaps the details I do not recall from these photos could mean that my librarian did not find them worth remembering.
This activity was a reminder to take more time to be present and live in the moment—keeping more moments for myself to experience instead of sharing them with my phone or on social media.
If you are interested in trying this out, March 1st is the Global Day of Unplugging
Since 2009, Global Day of Unplugging has been celebrated annually in March. Whether it is 1 hour or 24 hours, at some point during the first weekend of March, people all over the world, will step away from their screens and intentionally shift into an offline activity, an in-person interaction, a real-life gathering or simply a meaningful conversation about their relationship with technology.
Why unplug?
Human connection and self-awareness: Devices are a communication tool but sometimes we eat meals with our phone or shy away to hold the thing we are the most comfortable with, our phone. Let this be an opportunity—if you decide to participate—to have a coffee or meal with friends (or yourself) without a device.
Slow down: Pings and vibrations let us keep up to date with work, to-do’s, world news, or that Tim got a labrador puppy. Taking the time to unplug (in whatever capacity you want or can do) is an opportunity to slow down and calm the mind from today’s world of 24/7 stimulation. Putting my phone on silent always puts me at ease so I can focus on what I am doing or just think.
To be there, wherever that is: The presence of our phone causes brain drain, creating negative effects on learning and attention. Unplugging can help. If you are reading, cooking dinner, or taking a walk, experiment with leaving your phone in another room or at home. This is easier said than done but if you are interested, give it a try. What will you miss that won’t be waiting for you?
If you decide to participate on March 1st, let me know how you unplugged and how it felt.
My unplugged plans include coffee with friends, going to a period museum, and saying goodbye to social media until Monday.
Currently, digitally exhausted with…
AI. Lately, there have been a lot of concerning headlines regarding AI (e.g. gibberish responses, Google’s ‘woke’ AI image generator, and people using it to create fake nudes of women and girls).
Will we be able to catch up to iron out the kinks?
Whenever you are, be there ✨
Home. I made it home to visit Uncle Sam for the first time in almost two years. I met my niece and nephew (the cutest little nuggets) and soaked up the southern sunshine. Growing up in South Carolina, I never appreciated the weather until I went to ballet school up North. After my education and moving to Ireland, the warm morning dew, cicadas singing in the night, a good ol 'chat on the porch, and the ripe smell of the marsh mean so much more. Twas a trip full of family and southern comfort.
Until next time,
Wherever you are, be there.
If you enjoyed today’s post, you might enjoy Who are you uninterrupted?