Simplifying Your Plug-In Life: Stage 2 Decluttering

How much time do you spend looking things up on the internet? Surfing mindlessly? Sitting in front of the tv, watching a show, but not really?

Clicking through page after page on the internet. Have you ever wondered who it benefits most? Is there anything really accomplished?

It is easy to get caught up in the cyber world. In the technology world. To spend our lives in front of a screen. The thing is, is that how you want to spend your life? Do you feel you are wasting your life on things that do not matter?
I know I sometimes I feel that way.

When it comes to organizing your life with less, that means simplifying every area of your life. You could say this is part of the “Stage 2 Decluttering.” Even the most culturally relevant areas. So what does this even look like?

What does it look like to live simply in a technology-filled world?
1. Turn off your cell phone when you are at dinner, socializing in a group, and even at home having dinner together as a family.

2. Set aside specific time to check your email and search. By setting limits, this prevents you from mindlessly searching things that have no value or don’t improve any part of your life.

3. Keep tabs on what you AND your family watch on tv. Is the tv often on for just white noise? Are the programs that your family is watching, promoting the right morals and values? Don’t be afraid to say no!

4. Don’t use the tv to babysit your children. I am sure you have heard of this before, but how easy is it to put your child in front of the tv so that you can get something done? What if from a young age, you teach your child to entertain themselves by using non-technology entertainment?

5. Keep everything in sight. Your tv. Your computers. This way you can monitor what is going on. If your family complains about not having privacy, ask them why they feel they should? What are they trying to hide?

6. Set limits! Set limits on everything! Set limits on how much tv you and your family watches. Set limits on how long your kids can be on the computer. Set limits on how long your kids can play video games.

7. Unsubscribe from email lists, block senders, unsubscribe from magazines, and just say NO!

8. For me personally, something I constantly have to remind myself is if Christ were to return, what do I want Him to find me doing? Not that emailing, watching tv, etc. are bad in and of themselves. It is what we do with them that makes the difference.

I hope that as you look through your life, you will find meaningful ways to not become addicted to technology, filling your time with things that may not matter in the end. Some jobs require time on the computer almost 100% of the time. I understand that. In order for me to keep this blog, it requires me to be on the computer – and I love it. What I have to watch out for, is doing things on the computer that have no value. That don’t improve any area of my life. It’s a choice. It takes boundaries. Set limits for yourself. Start somewhere.

How has technology effected your life? What limits do you set on your life with technology? How has technology effected your family? In a positive or negative way?