Nov 28, 2023·edited Nov 28, 2023Liked by Kerri Christopher
Loved this, Kerri!
You're right it is a privilege - the world just isn't made for us to not have a phone at our fingertips. I often think how much easier it would be if we simply had a landline. As it is I don't really feel comfortable fully turning off my phone too often - when we have kids, aging parents, a farm of animals that get into all too frequent emergencies, etc, it just seems irresponsible. But my husband is generally speaking less likely to engage with his phone so I often will direct people to his number if they can't get a hold of me. This allows me to unplug more often.
I also don't think I'll be giving up my smartphone anytime soon. Once I wrote about how I was thinking about a dumb phone it sort of made me realize I wasn't QUITE there yet. Somehow writing that all out allowed me to detach from my phone in a way. There are a lot of things I like about the communication tools etc. that the phone gives me and logging off legacy social media has curbed most of my bad habits around it (though I could always be better of course).
I have noticed, the one or two times I've had a broken phone for more than a few days, that my anxiety plummets. Something about that constant contact (even with boundaries) invites a constant sense of - what if?? Not sure if there's a solution here because as I've said, not having a phone just isn't an option right now.
I'm so glad you got to enjoy such a lovely holiday. Cornwall is such a magical place. And you're right, the US needs to get our priorities straight - rest is important!
Nov 30, 2023·edited Nov 30, 2023Liked by Kerri Christopher
What a good, honest piece of "reporting back" - I love reading these types of thoughts.
Andy Crouch (among others) has talked and written about the need for a weekly Sabbath with some sort of limited or turned off tech. We haven't implemented this, though I'd like to somehow. But I am realizing that in the context of our current world, resting and truly living into the enjoyment of God's gifts via the Sabbath is going to mean more than just ceasing from paid or physical labor. Unfettered digital tech can do what laboring with no rest also does.
It kind of is a process, going without the phone for several days, isn't it? I think that repeating the experiment has helped me come to terms with what I think of it all over time. This needs a lot of time and thought...I found your experiences so interesting!!
Thanks! I really like reading about other people’s experiences with this too.
A few years ago I asked my husband if we could try not just no paid work on Sundays but also no social events or digital messaging. It was much- needed rest from crazy busy weeks. We aren’t as strict about it now because our weeks aren’t as busy but in general we do try to stay away from our phones on Sundays and I really like it.
Thanks Katie! I’m interested to hear that you think of it as a privilege too- I think that’s something missing from the conversations about low or no tech life. We did have a landline for a while (so that we could turn our phones off) but we just ended up getting all telemarketers and then we never answered it, so it wasn’t a great solution for us. I wonder about getting a dumb phone as a “landline” maybe.
It’s weird about the anxiety, isn’t it? I’ve been contemplating this a lot and what I can do about it, but I don’t love the idea, for example, of just not having a phone or maps when I travel to central London. Cornwall was so small and friendly it felt a bit different!
Loved this, Kerri!
You're right it is a privilege - the world just isn't made for us to not have a phone at our fingertips. I often think how much easier it would be if we simply had a landline. As it is I don't really feel comfortable fully turning off my phone too often - when we have kids, aging parents, a farm of animals that get into all too frequent emergencies, etc, it just seems irresponsible. But my husband is generally speaking less likely to engage with his phone so I often will direct people to his number if they can't get a hold of me. This allows me to unplug more often.
I also don't think I'll be giving up my smartphone anytime soon. Once I wrote about how I was thinking about a dumb phone it sort of made me realize I wasn't QUITE there yet. Somehow writing that all out allowed me to detach from my phone in a way. There are a lot of things I like about the communication tools etc. that the phone gives me and logging off legacy social media has curbed most of my bad habits around it (though I could always be better of course).
I have noticed, the one or two times I've had a broken phone for more than a few days, that my anxiety plummets. Something about that constant contact (even with boundaries) invites a constant sense of - what if?? Not sure if there's a solution here because as I've said, not having a phone just isn't an option right now.
I'm so glad you got to enjoy such a lovely holiday. Cornwall is such a magical place. And you're right, the US needs to get our priorities straight - rest is important!
What a good, honest piece of "reporting back" - I love reading these types of thoughts.
Andy Crouch (among others) has talked and written about the need for a weekly Sabbath with some sort of limited or turned off tech. We haven't implemented this, though I'd like to somehow. But I am realizing that in the context of our current world, resting and truly living into the enjoyment of God's gifts via the Sabbath is going to mean more than just ceasing from paid or physical labor. Unfettered digital tech can do what laboring with no rest also does.
You had me at "fish and chips." Yum.
It kind of is a process, going without the phone for several days, isn't it? I think that repeating the experiment has helped me come to terms with what I think of it all over time. This needs a lot of time and thought...I found your experiences so interesting!!
And it’s funny- the work we have means that physical labour can actually be restful sometimes!
Thanks! I really like reading about other people’s experiences with this too.
A few years ago I asked my husband if we could try not just no paid work on Sundays but also no social events or digital messaging. It was much- needed rest from crazy busy weeks. We aren’t as strict about it now because our weeks aren’t as busy but in general we do try to stay away from our phones on Sundays and I really like it.
Thanks Katie! I’m interested to hear that you think of it as a privilege too- I think that’s something missing from the conversations about low or no tech life. We did have a landline for a while (so that we could turn our phones off) but we just ended up getting all telemarketers and then we never answered it, so it wasn’t a great solution for us. I wonder about getting a dumb phone as a “landline” maybe.
It’s weird about the anxiety, isn’t it? I’ve been contemplating this a lot and what I can do about it, but I don’t love the idea, for example, of just not having a phone or maps when I travel to central London. Cornwall was so small and friendly it felt a bit different!