Don't Be A Slave To Your Things
We talk about it all the time: how technology is changing the way we live. And it's true, with smartphones and computers constantly at your fingertips, you're never more than a few clicks away from ordering an Uber or this week's roast chicken recipe. But for many folks, this swift-yet-delicate shuffle to make our lives easier has come at a significant cost: we've grown more dependent on our devices and lost that sense of autonomy we once had. And that can lead to us becoming slaves to our things.
We're not talking about literal chains here (though we're sure some of you can relate). Instead, we're in the psychological sense. More and more experts in psychology and neuroscience are starting to believe that our addiction to technology—and its constant presence in the palm of our hands—is impacting our brains' reward centers and hindering proper decision-making. In other words, it's making us more impulsive. One study from the University of London surveyed almost 2,500 people aged between 18-60 and found that respondents who used their phones for 5+ hours every day were 2x more likely to exhibit addictive behaviors than people who used their phones for an hour or less every day. Similarly, another UK study found that Facebook notifications—those little red boxes you get when somebody likes or comments on one of your posts—were likely to trigger impulsive behavior in children.
In the midst of this kind of troubling trend, some people are worried we've just become slaves to our things. In a New York Times article from earlier this year, writer Alex Williams calls out how too much technology is actually affecting our ability to be creative. In one example, Williams highlights how the writer Jonathan Franzen has been known to keep a landline around as a helpful reminder that he's not dependent on his cell phone. As Williams puts it, "He stays off Twitter because he can't trust himself to tweet thoughtfully. He uses a typewriter (yes, those still exist) because he doesn't want to be tempted by the delete button."
In some ways, then, we see where Franzen is coming from. After all, smartphones and laptops do invite you to edit and revise your ideas with each click or tap of your keyboard. In principle, that's a good thing. But as most of us know, it's also a slippery slope.
So what can we do about it?
In some ways, the solution may be easier than you think. It all starts with giving yourself permission to be human and letting go of that passive-aggressive guilt you feel about those "distractions" in your life. See, more and more experts in psychology and neuroscience are starting to believe that our addiction to technology—and its constant presence in the palm of our hands—is impacting our brains' reward centers and hindering proper decision-making . In other words, it's making us more impulsive . And if you don't believe us, just ask any addiction therapist out there. Trust us: They'll tell you that these kinds of "give in to the impulse" moments are going to happen from time-to-time. And that's ok.
And besides, as Daring Greatly author Brené Brown would point out , there's something about an unapologetic life—a life free of guilt and devoid of overthinking—that makes us more human and more connected to others. To her credit, Brown says it best: "I'm not sure my Wholehearted journey would look the same had I not sunk below the surface of my shame. I'm not sure I would have had the courage to tell the truth about my story of struggle and let you see my humanity if I hadn't gone so deep inside the shame that I feared its trapdoor would drop open and swallow me whole.
But you know what? It didn't. And it won't."
Feeling a bit inspired? We thought so. So here's an idea: why not try something new today? Pick up your phone and text a friend, send someone a quick email, or even better, pick up your landline and give them a jingle. Whatever it is, just be sure to call it human. And we promise you'll feel better for it in the long run.
How do you deal with technology without becoming a slave to your things? Let us know in the comments below.
Thanks for reading!
- The Minimalists { THE END }
Because we are what we repeatedly do, excellence is not an act but a habit. -Aristotle Yesterday, after I took my dog out, I was walking home when I saw a woman struggling to get her bag into the back of her car. The bag must have been pretty heavy because she was leaning all her weight into it and grunting loudly in exertion. As I watched her struggle, I realized that if she had been wearing earbuds at that moment, she might not have heard me approaching with my bike. I waited and offered to help. She was so grateful that she initially didn't even notice that I was trying to help her. I felt like the most selfless kind person in the world. Everyone, including myself, knows how hard it is to try to change our behavior in hopes of becoming a better person, but they don't realize how easy it can be if we approach our behavior as a little experiment. We aren't looking for an accomplishment, we're just looking for a new experience, and the best part is; the experience will come naturally if we are aware of what we are thinking at every moment. Waking up early? (Or staying up late)
Getting started on a big project? (Or leaving it for tomorrow)
It doesn't matter what it is. All we need to know is that there are no rules or regulations, only new experiences. So… How about you get out there and start having some experiences... You just might be surprised at the kind of person you become. -The Minimalists
Belief alone does not construct reality. You must take action to construct your reality. "Every human being has four endowments- self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. They are given to us to use as we see fit. Who am I? I am what I think. I am what I do. I am what I dream." -Buckminster Fuller
"There exist only individual bodies, individuals minds. There is no such thing as a collective mind. An agreement between several people is only a compromise, favorable to the interests of the least élite among them." -Edward de Bono
"The masses have never thirsted after truth. Whoever can supply them with illusions is easily their master; whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim." – Gustave Le Bon
"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.
Conclusion: It is not enough to fight for a cause. It is also necessary to know what effect your actions will have.
This quote is a reminder that we must not only act, but act in the right way or it will be useless—or worse. Many people go out of their way to fight for something; however, they may not realize what problems will occur from their actions.
I truly believe that when you walk the path of consciousness, you'll find countless tools at your disposal. And even though we're always learning, we can never know everything. Yet as long as we are willing to expand our consciousness and explore new ideas and strategies, there's no telling what we'll discover along the way.