My Experiments in the Practice of Everyday Life

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January 21, 2013
11 Comment

21 Day Relationship Challenge – Day 8

Control the Cubicle in Your Pocket

21-DayChallenge-BlogPhotoToday’s resolution suggests that you “Control the Cubicle in Your Pocket.” It’s important to give your time, attention, and energy to the people you love—but technology and the blurred line between home and work can make this resolution a challenge.

If you tried this resolution, what strategies did you use to control the cubicle in your pocket?

Did it make a difference to your happiness?

We can all learn from each other, so please post your experiences with the resolution in the comments section below.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/laura.bahnisch Laura Bahnisch

    I like having days off social media, with the family, reading books, listening or playing music, talking to friends – in person or on the phone, sitting outside, going for a walk… I figure – there are only so many things you can get done each day. Even your “to do” list will never get finished. Tick some things off, take time unplugged, notice the world around you, then maybe spend some time deleting and highlighting things for when you’re in the mood to dip back in to the e-world! It’s awful when I see people, including myself in the past, ignoring the real world and sounds of birds, wind in the trees, occasional silences with the stars, because of their endless fascination with the ever-faster-ever-changing world of technology. It’s like trying to read every book in the Library of Congress – an impossible and dissatisfying way to spend your life. I need to find balance every day, but as long as you’re aware of the need, it’s a start! :)

  • http://twitter.com/davidpmurray David Murray

    Hi Gretchen, I’ve resolved to approach this subject much more positively. Stressing the positive benefits of making technology our servant rather than our master. I just posted ten positive benefits on my blog today: http://headhearthand.org/blog/2013/01/21/10-reasons-to-confiscate-your-kids-phones/

  • Leisa729

    It’s the ever present need to keep a balance in our lives. Work but enough play…social media and yet a balance of direct contact eye to eye with those we love and appreciate daily! I love connecting with friends through face book but there is nothing like a hug and kiss from my husband and son.

  • Janis

    To help keep this resolution, read HAMLET’S BLACKBERRY by William Powers. It’s a fascinating book and offers creative ideas for finding balance with technology in your life.

  • gabby

    for over a year, every sunday is technology free day in our house … only tv that is on is sports : ) and, that’s really an exception if there is a “must watch” game, other than that we say it’s ’1954′, so radio and telephones are allowed, but nothing else … i have 3 kids and at first it was an adjustment, but now it’s second nature … one of our family traditions that i’m most proud of

  • Jan Smith

    I have To Do lists and love checking things off as I complete each task. My system is to reward myself with time to read, which I love. The faster I finish the work, the sooner I can get to my book. Others might choose a different reward, but it really helps to have an incentive.

  • Jerri

    I have to say I disagree with one thing in your post – to do work early in the am. I am actually a night owl by nature – my best and most productive work time is after 9 p.m. at night. I find that my mind tends to work on problems during the day and I make decisions and write more easily at night. i do agree though that checking email should stop at least an hour before bed time.

  • Jim

    I have been working at being a great father for 7 years. I know I can’t be a great dad all the time,but I hoped I was being one most of the time. Today I snapped at my son for a petty reason, when I apologized he said ” that’s ok I’m used to it.” I will start to give my love to my son not what I thought were great things for him. I’m just glad he was brave enough to say something at such a young age.

  • Miljana

    I completely agree with this ascertainment that technology is a good servant, but a bad master. But, I didn’t understand exactly what is the problem? Everyone, everywhere has to make some schedule either in the evening, after dinner, before going to bed or in the morning, before standing up or during the morning tea, coffee, breakfast. All general agreements we have to make including the family members in the evening or early morning, of course, if all of us have enough time for something like that early mornings. But, our own duties we must put under control, making some schedule. If it doesn’t pass well very often, we have to change it and modify till we get perfect one. That really has nothing with technology, than with our mind. Everything is in our mind, our opinions, our assurance. We are creators of our life, we are creators of our time, but sometimes, or infact very often we forget it and the problems comes easy, we spend the time wrong way, we are dissatisfied with our life. We must be strong in our wishes and applying the wishes in own lives.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rossella.bidino Rossella Di Bidino

    What a great true.

    I’ve learn the importance to quite mind since I’ve started blogging seriously. I impose myself to not use web (or apps) one day each week, usually on Sunday. It’s hard to stop mind from tweeting its thoughts :) or to quite the desire to leave a message on social media, or to write a post. But I have a real life too, and that’s more important.

  • http://www.facebook.com/christine.turley.1 Christine Turley

    Thank you so much for this post, it’s one of my biggest pigeons of discontent that even though I work full time I always feel like I should be studying when I’m home. Just like you have said, I am constantly in that bad trance where I can’t commit to do anything I really enjoy, including time with my family because I feel constantly nagged by this feeling. Rethinking and commiting myself to this resolution really will make a difference to my day to day. Thanks again for all your ideas!

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