National Day of Unplugging is a day to put down our phones and other devices and start reconnecting with our family, friends, and the world around us. The average American household is connected to five devices. The Global Day of Unplugging is a 24-hour period from sundown to sundown, usually in March. During this day, people are encouraged to unplug, unwind, relax, and do things other than using technology, electronics, and social media.
—NeevaAI
This year it was from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, March 3-4. It didn’t happen here. If anything I’ve been using the internet more the past few days because I’ve been going deeper into some subjects I’m interested in. I did ride up to the mountains with Andy Saturday afternoon, but I’m sure even that didn’t count because I snapped so many pictures on the ride home.
The internet is my window to the world and it brings me joy. Am I too dependent on it? I do spend a few minutes a day learning to play songs and doing some drawing so I have backup activities if I’m cut off from the internet for a while. I also have plenty of paper and pencils and ideas to ponder.
No unplugging for me, my brain is way too happy the way things are.
March 6, 2023
Morning is my time to plug in!! When I’m done, I can go without ’til dinner…movie time.
That works too. 🙂
did not know about the day but would not do it anyway. And now I wonder how people connect with each other if they unplug. they would have to call/text/email the day before to set up what to do to meet and where. and good luck if you have a doc appt or blood labs, that requires using tablets to check in. and if you wanted to shop you could not use your debit card because they only work on internet connections, could not withdraw dollars from ATM, that is internet. In fact just filling your car with gas is internet as is shopping walmart… they need to get real…. and as a retiree who has no way other than us mail to contact family without internet makes no sense. this set me off. sorry. I do know they probalby meant a family living together, to all be in the house and go places without using their phones and devices
I didn’t now about it ahead of time, and I agree. One size doesn’t fit all. For some of us the internet is the way we keep connected to loved ones .
I didn’t even know about this. Not sure I could do it but there are times when I like to put my phone down.
It’s nice to have a choice 🙂
Like you and Sandra, there’s no way I’d (willingly) participate. I like what you said, it’s “my window to the world.” It makes me happy and keeps my mind stimulated.
Yes! 🙂
It didn’t happen here either. Then again I didn’t know about it. I would find it very difficult to go 24 hours without using any devices.
I just happened to read about it. There’s no way I would do it voluntarily.
I didn’t know about it either but would not have participated if I did know. I go from phone to computer to tablet to TV over the course of a day. I even read my books on my tablet. I’m not sure I know how to do anything other than eat and sleep without one gadget or the other and I often read while eating and read myself to sleep. Even when I was crocheting, I often did it while watching TV. Why would I want to give up any of that? I suspect this is aimed at families who still have kids at home and that makes sense to me. I do miss playing cards and board games with friends but I could do that if I chose to go down to social activities here. But, covid makes that much less inviting. Dave says we are no longer contagious but we are certainly not yet well. And we both have surgeries coming up so we are staying home and playing with our electronics.
Yes, hurray for our devices!
My phone has now got into apps – and I’ve twice successfully used the app for my doctor – once to order me pills/portions and then a week later make an appointment.
I’ve not done anything with my property management app – as it didn’t really work – and I’ve noted these last 3 months the account for water usage just came by email (same as before). As did some other notifications.
I look at weather app, the AT public transport app, read various newspapers, and of course use Libby to read books etc. My favourite game
I do a lot on my phone – and around mid arvo I fire up my laptop – bigger screen that is easier for some things (like commenting) – but it’s also my TV (on demand) or uTube. A variety of other reasons to use it…
As Sandra said as well…so much is “plugged in”
And I am so grateful for that.
Although it is nice to take a break now and then, it is so amazing to me how much one can grow to depend on it and to enjoy all that it has to offer. I often wonder how we managed without it. So much information at one’s fingertips literally.
Yes! I don’t take it for granted.