Thursday, June 5, 2014

Really Random Thursday, 6/5/14: The unplugged version

Every year about this time, a few of us have a quilting retreat at our friend's cabin just outside Yosemite National Park. I'm there today! Her cabin is beautiful. Technology doesn't work there, not even cell phones. I'm okay with that. It's amazing how much more time I would have on a daily basis if I went unplugged more often. Yeah, let's not even think about that...

So a guy originally from this area has started a camp for that very purpose.
 
I wonder if this is the start of a new movement. Which wouldn't be a bad idea. I think we are missing out on a lot going on around us because our heads are bent down looking at some kind of screen.

Do you ever think about spending less time on Instagram/Facebook/Pinterest, etc., and more time "doing" something? I'd love to know. Even though I won't be able to reply to your emails. Because I am....unplugged!

Your turn.

19 comments:

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Laughing Owl said... #

I've had a similar experience when I participated in a 10-day meditation course. That was different of course, because not only the use of any kind of technology was prohibited, but also talking, reading, writing. Different. But the ban on the use of cell phones and the Internet was the same. And that felt really liberating. When the 10 days passed I didn't even want to turn my devices on again, I felt no usual urge to go check email or Facebook. I hadn't even realesed how much time I spend on that stuff.
So I would actually recommend such techology breaks to anyone. It clears the mind, it allows for better concentration on what you are doing. And it saves so much time! :)
Sorry for the lengthly comment. It just felt so familiar :)
Have fun there,
Xenia

Rene' said... #

Enjoy your retreat Cindy! I'm excited when it's my turn to retreat with you. I agree about the need to unplug once in a while.

Val's Quilting Studio said... #

I absolutely agree people should unplug or do with less electronical devices all together. My blog and email are my only social media and I love it. My husband and I joke that someday we'll be interviewed us as the only people in the world NOT on facebook!! LOL! OH! And, I just switched from a flip phone to an iphone but only because I was jealous upon becoming a grandmas that I wasn't getting all the pictures and videos like everyone else....LOL!!!

Val's Quilting Studio said... #

PS Enjoy your retreat!!

Terri said... #

Enjoy your retreat weekend! Sounds lovely. I love it when I unplug and focus on living life without my computer or phone. I soak up so much inspiration and renewed energy!

Amy Friend said... #

I hope you are having a great time!

Allison said... #

have a great retreat! I went on a quilt retreat earlier this spring, and there wasn't any cell phone reception there either. It was a nice break. I usually try to have a tv / screen free week with my kids once a year. I find it is just enough to break the over-dependence on such devices

Needled Mom said... #

I think we could all do with a bit more unplugging.

Carla said... #

I saw a cute picture the other day. It was three young guys standing together staring at their phones. The caption said "you guys staring at your phones anywhere cool this weekend?"

Paulette said... #

Yep, I definitely think about that often, especially lately. Unfortunately, I work one job from home, so that's not entirely possible. I have thought about putting the blog on hiatus for the summer, but then I look back on years past and enjoy the online diary aspect of it. But yeah...*sigh.* Hope you are having (or had) a great time at the retreat!

Katy Cameron said... #

Hmm, when I escaped to the lighthouse last year it was blissfully remote, but I did miss being able to connect at least occasionally!

Rachel said... #

I definitely thinking about unplugging. Especially for my children's sake. It's hard to juggle too much time vs. an OK amount. I've been doing a lot less blog reading, just keeping up with the ones that are important to me (like yours ;))

OPQuilt said... #

I am not unplugged--I'm reading your blog, and it's a fun idea. I communicate with so many friends and family per the internet, that I don't want it to go away. But I do wish that young moms who are walking beside their kids in the mall would pay more attention to them and less to the screen (I worry, grandma-style). But that's my only wish.

Have fun!

Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

I would get soooo much more done if I sewed in a different room from my computer. It's juts far too easy to stop and look at emails or blogs. And I'm not even on IG or all the other social media. Have fun at your retreat.

Celtic Thistle said... #

There just isn't enough time in the day to keep up with blogs, IG, Facebook, etc but a retreat from technology concentrating on friends and sewing sounds like the perfect antidote :)

Rachaeldaisy said... #

Have fun being unplugged! I limit myself to about 2 hours max a day on my computer and I stick mostly to blogs with a bit of picture gazing at pinterest. I don't do Facebook and I think about IG sometimes but I just know I don't really have the time to do it justice.

Vicki said... #

It wasn't easy being 'unplugged' all weekend. Thanks for the BEST time ever!

Unknown said... #
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Sarah said... #

Oh yeah! I haven't hand stitched in front of the tv for about two years. I used to be so productive in those hours after the kids go to bed. Now I read blogs or go through Instagram on my iPad. It's a bad habit. A month ago I took the Facebook app off my phone and iPad. I can still access it via my laptop if I need to. It's been very liberating. I was sick of the constant pull to always check it. I much prefer Instagram anyway, no ads.