Deal With Technology and Take an E-Vacation

By Rhonda McNett

Do you sometimes just feel a bit too connected to the world and everyone in it? Boy, I sure do! That's why I try to take an e-vacation each weekend. You might be hard pressed to reach us by email on Saturday and Sunday - you'd better telephone or drop by. Those of you who really know Jim and I will also chuckle at the fact that, in this day and age, we are the least "techy" of almost anyone on the planet. Seriously... we still have a working VCR, are not on Facebook and would probably still be using a film camera if we hadn't been given a digital one. It's not about avoidance, but more "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Actually, studies have been done recently showing that when you disconnect in this manner for a few days, or better yet a week, your heart rate becomes more natural, leaving its "high alert" state. That state is prone to high stress levels due to increased cortisol production, less productivity and impaired focus. In fact, those on e-vacation switched screens an average of 18 times per hour, compared with those still fully connected, who switched screens an average of 37 times per hour, with the accompanying stress load. Phew! Who needs that? Isn't all this technology supposed to be helping us, not hurting us? As with everything... balance is the key!

Another issue that tags right along with the stress of being connected 24/7 is the fact of digital hoarding. Unlike physical hoarding, it is almost invisible; purging decisions don't need to be made due to mass storage options; and the proliferation is endless. However, just as in physical hoarding, digital hoarding becomes a problem when its mass becomes excessively "messy," useless and mentally exhausting. What does your computer's desktop look like? Are you just cramming every download to it, rather than filing it away? Are you collecting thousands of emails in your In Box, rather than filing them appropriately? Have you not deleted anything in ages? Boy, does all this sound familiar to all the paper issues so many seem to have!

Yes, having "The Cloud" is great for storage of the myriad articles, emails, copies of bills paid, photographs, etc. that we collect, but it also precludes the need to ever purge or prioritize anything! But, you ask, why should I need to, when "The Cloud" can store massively and forever? One reason is that it may not always be that way: cloud-carriers might go out of business and all things techy can become "extinct." There are companies that will help you archive, file and find items, but you must learn to use them and then actually use them! If you have a "messy" computer, odds are you probably won't go that route, but continue to add to it. Beware of having tons of flash drives, also. Again, they can go bad; programs become antiquated about every other day; and those little things get lost!

Along with not allowing yourself and your time to be "owned" by all the social media expectations, think of all the money that's spent on online videos, games, and music streaming programs. I know folks who don't have health coverage, but find the money to continually pay to download these sorts of things. It's just as insidious as having storage units with monthly payments and not taking care of yourself physically, when you haven't even been in those units for so long you don't know what you are paying for anymore!

My point? Allow yourself a new mind-set: it's all too easy to "click and save," "click and download" and ignore the "delete" button. As with physical paper and the problems I see continually with it, watch your behavior with your technological activities. Ask yourself:

• "What's the worst that could happen if I delete this item?" You know you can find it online again, if need be.

• As with physical stuff in your office or home, if you are spending too much time looking for a particular file or photo, it's time to do some diligent prioritizing, deleting and cleaning up.

• Have you uploaded TV programs and bookmarked articles that you'll never go back to? Again, "delete" is your friend!

• Newsletters and "forwards" gagging your In Box to the point of explosion? Unsubscribe and tell your friends to "stop doing that!" (Of course, you'll want to keep this article, right?)

• Make a point to "clean house" each day: try to act, file or delete each and every email you encounter, as you encounter it. Don't let them clog up the works of your increasingly-slower computer - and your brain!

• Just as the Pareto Principle works with clothing and productivity, remember that you will typically only access 20% of all that you save.

Now, let me tell on myself: it's Saturday morning and I'm at my computer, getting ready to post this article. Every once in a while I do break the rules - that's what rules are for, right? My week has just sort of forced my hand in this, but believe me... as soon as I hit "send," the computer is off and I'll be out enjoying this beautiful day - in person, being present mindfully and ever so grateful for allowing myself to "tune out" from all the technology for a mere 24 to 48 hours a week. Try it - you may just fall in love with the peaceful balance this affords!

If clutter has taken over your life and you just can't get it together...If you have too much stuff in too small a space and can't decide what needs to go...If you're frustrated and stressed because you can't find your keys, your wallet, your checkbook...If you're inundated with paper and getting buried in piles of it...If you would like less confusion, stress and frustration and more peace, order and serenity in your life...You'll find relief at Sensible Organizing Strategies. Get free organizing tips and information from Rhonda McNett at http://www.sosbyrhonda.com/contact.html. Find the peace and harmony hiding in your home or office.

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