I groaned as I slowly opened my eyes and bought my fingers to my face. I groggily rubbed the grit from my eyes. My head felt like an avalanche had assaulted my frontal lobe and every time I moved it made loose rocks bump around painfully in my skull.
“It’s happened again. Why do I do this to myself?” I thought through the red wine fog.
My wife stood in front of the mattress that I sleep on in the living room because my snoring keeps her awake at night. She surveyed the damage from the night before. Two empty red wine bottles and scattered packets of biscuits, chocolate and nuts that were eaten in a drunken buffet.
“Are you at the point where you realise something needs to change yet?” She asked.
I farted and groaned.
Today is a Sunday so it’s been pretty easy to not get too involved with thinking about my mobile however, I have noticed some very interesting things.
Today I experienced something that slapped me in the face like an arctic blast. I was at the sink washing up the breakfast dishes and I could hear the happy warbling of my youngest gaughter singing in her bedroom.
I put down what I was doing and made my way to her doorway, stopping just before I came into sight and snuck a peak around the doorframe.
We made our way through the car park as vehicles bustled in and out of the entrance, fighting for empty spaces.
“Hold on” I said to my Wife “I forgot something out of the boot” and turned to make my way back to our car.
It was then that I noticed a middle aged, slightly disturbed and disheveled looking woman with a shifty look about her trying to open the boot of our car.
“Excuse me, what are you doing - that’s our car?” I said with enough authority and annoyance to let her know she had better back the f4ck off.
I’ve noticed a change in my habits. It’s only a small change but a change none-the-less.
Today I’ve struggled to keep my compulsions in check.
This afternoon I found that my brain was screaming for me to check the news, or Facebook or Twitter or SOMETHING!!!!
Tomorrow I’m taking a digital sabbath. I’m heading out to a mountain range about an hour from where I live to do some hiking and an overnight camp.
I’m going by myself and am hoping to use this time as a chance for self reflection and to create some inner peace.
Today I’m out in nature and I’ve realised a couple of things.
- I’d forgotten how hard hiking can be, particularly when you’re traipsing up what seems to be an endless f4cking mountain and
- I’d forgotten just how quickly blisters can turn a determined hiker into a ‘grin and bear it, grit your teeth, f4ck my foot hurts... actually it’s not that bad let’s take a looks...f4ck me that’s actually pretty bad limping, hang your head in defeat’ hiker.
Gee f4cking wizz my legs are sore.
I can feel my resolve starting to waver a little. I keep thinking to myself “perhaps I could just check a news website or what’s happening on Twitter or Facebook”
I think this is the mistake I make a lot of the time when trying to kick bad habits. I do really well at something for a week or two, then I think it’s ok to allow myself an indulgence.
Today I started Yoga classes again. I’ve had a 6 month break from them and after today I’ve realised just how good it is to clear my mind and make myself become aware and present.
Some people say I talk shit - and well, today I’m going to. Literally.
I’m not usually one to chat willingly about my bathroom habits, but in the true sense of being open and honest I’m going to.
I’ve noticed a change in my thoughts of late. I’ve been thinking a lot about the future. Thinking about the things I would like to do and things I want to achieve.
I think mobiles and social media are going to have a similar journey to junk food. If you really think about it, there’s a distinct possibility they will have a very homogeneous history arc.
Mobile devices have really only been available to the masses in earnest for the past 10-15 years. This being the case, there hasn’t been much time to pass to enable us as a species to truly understand the implications these devices will have on our lives both physically and mentally.
Well, I’m halfway there and I have to admit I’m feeling pretty good about this whole process. I started out thinking that I was really only going to focus on my main concern which was my dependency and addiction to my mobile device.
What happened along the way are some ‘happy side effects’ of this 30 day challange.
Can Facebook really help us connect?
I know it can help people to share information, images, movies etc... but can it really help people to have a real ‘connection’.
All the shiny advertising and media campaigns for the latest ‘innovative communication platform’ will certainly try to make us bel...
If I were on the Quidditch pitch, I reckon I would be a seeker.
It seems in the past I’ve always been looking for things, searching for things. Things to make me happy. Things to fill my time. Things to help me succeed. Things to eat that are healthier and better for me. Things - Things - Things....
I’ve been thinking today about the reasons behind my choice of writing in a journal.
Out of all the things I could have chosen to battle a mobile and social media addiction, I chose to write in a journal for 30 days. Why?
To be honest, I don’t really know why I thought of this, it’s just the first thing that popped into my head.
Today I talked with someone about Mobile and Social Media Addiction for the first time.
I was pursuing my goal of Facetime by catching up with a mate for coffee and a chat. I have to admit it was absolutely awesome! It really made me see the difference between sitting down with a good mate and having a chinwag, and the mindless banter of ‘online friends’
I’ve been wondering over the past few days about the correlation between the shortening of our attention spans due to social media and the internet and what impact that has on our social constructs.
For example, growing up, I listened to cassette tapes - Yep, I’m a Gen-x-er - I remember the first tape I purchased with my own money was “What Hits” by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Man I listed to that tape back and forth, again and again until I knew every song. It made me look into their back catalogue and I’ve liked them ever since. But I do like their old stuff better than their new stuff.
How much do you have to do something before it becomes an addiction?
Are the levels different for different people and different things? For example, how much heroin, sex, gambling, shopping or booze do you have to consume or take or do before you’re labeled an addict?.
I’ve noticed lately that I’m starting to cherish the process of creation.
I guess it started with writing in this journal, but i’ve noticed that there’s a joy and anticipation creeping back into my life at the thought of creating something instead of consuming it.
23 days in and device proximity doesn’t seem to be much of an issue for me anymore.
My old self would have always had his phone near him at all times. I would have had it right next to my desk when I was working, in my pocket when I was out and in front of me on the coffee table when relaxing on the couch and next to me when I slept.
I’ve found that going analog for this challenge has played a hugely important role in me kicking my mobile and social media addiction.
The act of finding offline alternatives to what I used to do in front of a screen has been both challenging and rewarding.
The past few weekends we have been using our new firepit in the backyard.
At first we got it to roast marshmallows and do something different with the kids on a Saturday night. What we’ve actually gotten out of it is so much more.
Two weekends ago my Wife and I held a secret meeting away from the ears of our little ones.
It’s getting close to the 30 day mark and I’ve noticed a lot of changes.
Changes in my life, changes in my personality and changes in my habits.
Have I missed social media throughout this process?
The answer to that is a resounding NO!
I’ve actually missed a few days of writing in my book because I’ve been so damn busy!
Oh how quickly the beast tries to escape if only a small gap is left in the door of it’s cage!
Tonight we had a family dinner to celebrate a bunch of achievements my daughters have managed to reach over the past few days.
The table we were seated at, well my seat at least, was directly facing a television screen with the news on.
Holy shit I made it! What an amazing trip!.
There have been considerable changes to my life, to me, to my habits and also the way I think over the past 30 days.
So what have I learnt from this experience?