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I sit down to write on this rainy Memorial Day. There is a messy room that needs to be cleaned, studying to be done, and I am in dire need of a long run. Mom and dad are in the kitchen cooking dinner, the big boys are watching sports, Q is taking a nap, and the dog meanders around the house. I can’t help but look around at this chaos and feel really freaking blessed. Often, I find myself sitting on my phone in these moments, but my challenge for myself this summer is to really unplug from electronics and live in the moment with the people around me.
I am 19-years-old. It will surprise no one that all of my friends have smartphones. Most of us have been attached to these devices since our time in middle school. Multiple hours each week—day?! – are spent on social media sites. Don’t get me wrong, social media and electronics have a lot of positive aspects to them, but lately, I have been feeling like it takes away from being present with people in my presence. I find myself “snapping” and texting others while not enjoying or engaging the people right in front of me. There is something disjointed about this form of communication.
I go to a track meet and everyone who is not participating in an event seems to have a phone. Some are talking. Some are recording videos or taking pictures. Some are checking the weather or checking the score of the Brewers game. I haven’t seen it yet but I’m sure it will happen sooner than later there will be someone live streaming their own event. ;)
What about the here and now? It is like we are all enjoying being somewhere we are not. We are busying recording and saving the now for later—while we ignore the now, now! And I can’t figure out why. Because some of my favorite memories occurred when cellular service was not even available.
Year after year, my favorite vacation has been a week at the lake with my family. In the Northwoods, there is no cell phone service or even TV to watch. So instead of being tuned out from each other, we spend all day interacting. We head out on the water (where my dad collects all the phones and puts them in a waterproof bag because we have donated a few to the depths of Lake Wissota.) If it is a rainy day, we play games, tell stories, or rain gear up and go on a long walk. We always have a family meal and most nights build a campfire to finish off the day. Meals and campfires are platforms for more stories, jokes, laughter and interacting with the people actually present with us.
I, along with many other Eau Claire kids, consider country music festivals to be highlights of my summer. I spend time catching up with old friends, making new friends, and dancing and singing
(terribly) to my favorite music. Honestly, rain or shine there is nothing better than being surrounded by good people, good company, and some real good country music. Again, my phone had no part in making these memories.
So, I know it isn’t realistic to give up our smart phones, but what if we just limit the use a little bit. What if, when we go to lunch, we consciously do not take out our phones the whole time, and just enjoy the company of the people with us. What if when we are driving somewhere, we have a conversation with our fellow travelers and put the phone away. Or do I dare say it, what if we delete Snapchat or Instagram for a few weeks, and just do a reset on our relationships. I really do appreciate social media and electronics and I think there is a lot to be said about the future of such devices. That being said, I am never going to look back and remember the days I spent on social media. I am going to look back and remember the people. I am going to remember the times we share together.
So, I challenge myself to unplug a bit this summer. I challenge myself to enjoy the present, the here and now, and to truly enjoy the people around me.
