This technology addiction has been something I've struggled with off and on since social media became a thing. It all started with MySpace, which then led me to blogging, then Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Periscope, and most recently, Snap Chat. These are all great platforms and have been very beneficial to me in more ways than one.
But, we can have too much of a good thing. I always start out with good intentions. To share my passions, life lessons, inspirational messages, make connections and to build relationships. Then somehow it turns into this stressful rat race that leaves me feeling overwhelmed, inadequate, doubting myself, and completely off balance. I always wonder, how did I get back in this place yet AGAIN?
I blog because it fills a need, it's therapeutic and gives me that creative outlet. All the other social media platforms are connected to that same purpose. But somehow I get sucked into the dark hole of addiction which makes me feel trapped, like I literally don't have control. I can't leave my phone for even a minute, there is always something I need to check and messages I need to reply to. Most of us check our tech compulsively and studies show an outrageous number of our population get anxious - actual anxiety - if disconnected for too long.
My goal
I told my husband Sean I was going to take an entire week off of social media. I planned to do it the next week, but realized I had already made certain commitments. Then, I thought the following week would work. Nope, too much going on. Ugh, and then begins the never ending cycle once again. I feel too committed to my phone. I seriously don't even know what it would be like to go that long without it. I've done phone fasts on Sunday's and that has been really good for me, but I think I need an entire week. To go a whole week? Now that would be a sacrifice, which is something we need to do periodically in life. Sacrifice is the ultimate strength and character builder.
I want more time of stillness and less distractions
Sometimes I imagine what it would be like to live on a farm 100 years ago, with no technology, just living every day in the present moment. Seems so beautiful and peaceful. I need more of this in my life. I need it for me and I need it for my children.
So like I said, technology can be such a great thing, but I think it's something that can easily take over if we don't reign it in. Our multitasking often works against us. We think we are being so productive be responding to emails and playing with our kids at the same time.
Why we have these addictions
We all find ourselves in some form of addiction through out our lives. Whether it be food, sugar, tv, work, alcohol, caffeine, perscription drugs, technology, cleaning, etc. Most of these things are OK in small dosages, but we all know when it's reached an unhealthy level and that's when we need to make some changes. We are here to overcome the natural desires of man. We become better and grow into the people God wants us to be, be resisting temptations and rising above the things that hold us hostage.
Sometimes we need to do things just to prove to ourselves that we CAN. Like natural birth for example. I know lots of people that think natural birth is crazy, why would a women choose to do this? Modern medicine has come a long way, why would we CHOOSE pain when we don't have to?
Like I said, sometimes we choose hard things in order for us to grow and enhance our belief system. Every time we do something incredibly hard, we feel strong, more confident, and full of power to do good.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on Wannabe Balanced Mom. It has been modified and republished here with permission.
