I was chatting with a colleague in Europe this week. In an effort to connect more middle level people we were chatting about contributing to a blog for middle level principals. She shared the following.
"I am sorry to admit that I have difficulty remaining current, with my usual correspondence for daily work... I rarely have time to follow the multitude of streams... I actually am purposefully having to make disconnect time to keep balance these days."
When my nephew was in middle school, I challenged him to not watch television for a week. (I bribed him.) He did it and I paid him off. I asked if he felt any different. He said, "No," and went off to, well, be a middle schooler.
I wonder how many of us are over connected, and feel a lack of balance? Could it be that all the cool stuff that is available to read and connect is causing more stress in our lives? Was it really that easy for my nephew to give up television? Would middle schoolers have more trouble today?
Like my friend, I too have been trying to wean myself from technology. Last year when I was teaching 8th grade, I locked my phone in my car everyday. Currently, I purposely do not take my phone to class. A warm fire and a cup of coffee is my morning routine, when I am intentional. Does it help? I think so. But even my college students and colleagues have difficulty leaving the phone off during class or meetings.
If things are getting too stressful, take a moment to breathe, take in your world, turn the phone over, even if it is for 3-5 minutes...(: mindful minutes...
I asked if I could share her thoughts. She said yes and added the following:
In the morning, I had the habit of checking 'what was coming up' in terms of new work messages before heading out for my quiet dog walk and I have worked to stop that... to instead just have the outdoor, nature and morning light time with my pooch.
Here's to disconnecting!! Here's to pooches; haha, as I share it with the world! Happy weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment