Okay so it’s not my idea, but it’s still radical! The idea comes from Tiffany Schlain, the founder of the Webby awards. Her family takes a tech Shabbat each week. For 24 hours they turn off all screens. That’s right: No cell phones, no computers, no television! Could you do that? Notice your first response to the thought. Make note of your very first reaction when you think of doing such a radical thing. Is it, I could not possibly do that! Or is it something along the lines of, wouldn’t that be lovely?
Research shows the impact our technological devices have on our lives and psyches. Studies show that separation from our cellphones can cause “serious psychological and physiological effects“! Or how about this: have you ever thought you heard your phone vibrate, then checked to find that it was nothing at all? This is a near-universal phenomenon, is called phantom vibration syndrome, hypovibochondria, or ring-xiety.
In most religious traditions, there is a Sabbath: a day of rest each week. When I grew up Baptist in the south, Sunday was indeed a different kind of day. Was it a day of rest? Not necessarily! On Sunday we went to Sunday school in the morning, had a special Sunday lunch and then went back to church in the evening. Even though it may not have been a day of “rest,” Sunday was very different from other days. It was a marker: after Sunday came Monday, and I felt oriented throughout the week. These days I often wake up and think, what day is this and what am I doing!?
Don’t get me wrong: I love my flexible schedule and the fact that there is variety in my weeks. But I do occasionally miss the structure that was built into my week when I worked in more traditional jobs. Many of us have jobs that are not Monday-through-Friday-9-to-5, and many of us have drifted from the religious traditions we may have been raised with. Is this okay for you? It may be. For me, I find that creating rhythms and structures for myself makes me feel more grounded and in control.
About six months ago I decided to take a day of rest each week, which I call a “renewal day.” Since I often work on weekends, I chose Thursday as my renewal day. In addition to this, I set aside Mondays as my “create the dream day,” which is when I work on my business rather then in my business.
I write the “create the dream” and the “renewal” days on my calendar. Why? Because from time to time I need to interrupt the weekly rhythm I’ve created in order to meet the needs of clients, family or special projects. By having “create the dream” written on Mondays, I can look at my week and identify another day when I can work on my business. The same applies for renewal day: if I decide to take a client on a Thursday, I make it a point to put my renewal day on Wednesday.
What structures give rhythm to your week? If you work for yourself and are not active in a religion, you may feel at a loss when it comes to structure. Would you consider taking a Tech Shabbat? How about a renewal day? Or maybe every Saturday morning you take a long walk with your best friend! How might you add rhythms to your week in order to create ease and joy in your life?
Please share your ideas in the comments!
I keep saying I’m going to take a Tech Shabbat on Sundays, but I have been failing miserably. This has inspired me to REALLY try to make it work!
That’s great to hear. Have you taken one yet? How did it feel??