One of my favorite books on the approrpriate uses of technology in our lives is Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism. Newport doesn’t argue that technology is bad, but that the uncritical consumption of technology serves to distract us and keep us from living lives of focus, intentionality, and joy. One of the strategies he espouses for breaking our dependence on technology in general and social media in particular is to take a 30 day digital detox.
His proposal isn’t that novel. I know people who regularly “fast” from social media for lent or other periods of time. But, what makes Newport’s approach different is his recommendations for life after the digital detox. Rather than setting a goal of avoiding social media for 30 days and then return to normal as soon as the 30 days is up, Newport recommends everyone fast for 30 days and then make intentional decisions about what should be allowed back into your life.
After 30 days, you can make pretty good decisions about the apps or technologies that are helpful and/or add value to your life. Rather than jumping back into social media or technology with both feet, only re-install those apps that actually add value. Send the rest of them to the digital land-fill.
On the backside of our COVID-19 pause, there will be pressure to jump back into life as you knew it prior to March 2020.
Without a doubt, we all miss much of our pre-quarantine life. But, there are many great lessons to be learned from these slower days as well. Rather than jumping back into life with both feet, consider taking Cal Newport’s digital detox approach. Take some time to write out all of the activities that you were committed to prior to the shutdown. Take a look at your calendar and write down all of the things that were consuming your time.
Then, rather than dutifully re-committing to everything that you were doing, prayerfully consider what you should be doing. There will be activities on your list that you can hardly wait to enjoy again. But, there are probably activities on all of our calendars that do not add anything of value to our lives. Are there activities on your pre-quarantine calendar that are actually draining you or your family rather than making your family stronger? Did your previous schedule help you to pursue Christ more or take you away from your church family and Christian commitments?
Identify your goals as a family and prioritize the activities that help you to reach those goals. Then, prayerfully consider cancelling other activities permanently. These decisions may not be easy. It may hurt to cancel a gym membership or to walk away from a sports team or music lessons. But, the benefit might far outweigh the loss.
COVID-19 is the interruption that none of us wanted. But, it has given us an opportunity to detox from the busyness of our lives. Don’t waste this crisis. It is giving you the opportunity to change your future.
