My tech free week 3-28

This week of blog entries was written as a daily diary, the old fashioned way, in a spiral notebook, to be entered into the computer when my tech free week ends.




24 hours without technology.

Today was very interesting.
When  my alarm went off this morning, the first thing I did was roll over and grab my phone. I had an alert saying that I had 25 new emails waiting for me. I had to stop myself from checking them just out of habit. I had to wait until the allotted 1/2 hour, which didn't actually come until after lunch. It killed me to have to wait to check them. They weighed on the back of my mind the entire morning.
I managed to avoid checking my facebook. I counted 6 times between when I woke up at 6:30 and and 8:30 that I felt the need to check it.  I have the Facebook app on my phone, as well, and I generally check it when I am out running errands. I counted another 6 or 7 times I would have logged in before noon. I am sure I check facebook at least 50 times on any given day. I never realized how often I did it until I had to start stopping myself from doing it.  I also took my phone out of my pocked 4 times to google something. Clearly I have a problem!

I did have to check Facebook a few times just because it is my only way to contact a few different people,but I am proud to say that I spent less than 10 minutes on, and never once looked at my own wall.

I found that even though  didn't have the TV on and wasn't using the computer, I am still technology obsessed. I kept finding moments that I should post as status updates, I continuously dictated this blog in my head.

I also found in the quiet of my house, little things that I hadn't noticed before. The sun streaming in the windows, my children interacting with each other, the words and tones they use. It is really incredible to hear them together, when I am listening. I mean really listening.

I have been allowing myself the luxury of a radio. I have been listening to our local Christian station. As I was listening this afternoon I heard the words " you never know the moments your children will remember forever."
This is very true, and it was exactly what I needed to hear to drive home the whole point of my efforts. I want my children to remember me as a happy, hands on, responsive, active, plugged in Mom, who always puts them and their needs first. In order for them to know me that way, I have to BE that way.

 I survived day one. Tomorrow is another day.