My Addiction

By David Tonen • July 21st, 2009

My Confession

I need to confess…

I have an addiction.  I came to terms with it this past weekend.  You see, I decided to have a complete technology shutdown to end my two week vacation.  So, on Friday night I shut off the computer, my Blackberry, the TV, unplugged the home phone, and put away my iPod.

For 2 1/2 days I spent time alone with God, praying, reading, time in nature, time reflecting, and ultimately resting.  A total technology retreat.  Friday night, and all day Saturday and Sunday.  Technology did not return until 8:00am on Monday morning.

Do you think this unplugged vacation (if only briefly) was easy?  It is if you are not addicted to technology.  I discovered I experienced withdrawal.  Not extreme withdrawal mind you but it was much more difficult than I thought.  Particularly the web.  Every time I saw my computer there was a twinge to turn it on.  I have become so connected!

You see, I am seldom for from e-mail, social media, and my Google Reader.  These tools are so integrated into my daily routine that it was hard to leave them far behind.  Don’t laugh…many of you reading this are equally as adicted as I am!

Conclusion

This “retreat” was awesome from so many angles.  It was healthy to shut it all off.  The best part…I really connected with God.  It is good to pray, read, and have spiritual meditation.  And finally…I was very well rested.

Challenge

I would encourage you to take a tech retreat as well.  Get yourself re-calibrated physically and spiritually.  It is healthy!  Next time…I am going for four days!

Do you have a technology addiction?  Have you ever taken a technology break or retreat?  Do you agree that we all need one?

Image via Flickr: misterbisson

Comments(4) Media, Technology
  • Wild&Free

    Do I have a tech addiction? Well I must say I am a lot better then what I use to be!! I was going to say I will be taking a tech break this coming weekend but I must confess, I will be leaving everything home but my son’s iPod. It will be an awesome time away!!!! My husband and I, just the two of us, on the open seas in our boat. We will be unplugging life and plugging into the unknown, NO TV and NO COMPUTER – just the two of us absorbing God’s peace and beauty…I so can’t wait!!!

    I do agree we all need time away from the things that make our lives busy to a point where it becomes a routine and the things that really matter get taken for granted and sometimes lost!

  • http://navigateyourmarketing.com/ David

    Thanks Wild&Free, I appreciate your comment. We do tend to take a lot of things in our lives for granted and it is very liberating to shut all the man-made stuff off for a while and appreciate the things that matter most!

  • http://repairerofthebreach.wordpress.com/ Michael Holmes

    I must admit David…I have been addicted to Technology for some time. Thanks to this post I am going to take time this weekend without technology. Even as I type this I feel the withdrawl pains! But its necessary.

    I am going to “shut all the man-made stuff off for a while and appreciate the things that matter most!”

  • http://navigateyourmarketing.com/ David

    Good for you Michael. Admission is the first step isn’t it? I know that you will come away refreshed. I look forward to hearing the outcome of your technology severance!

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