Reclaim Your Free Time

We've created a culture where we've all but relinquished our free time. We need to reclaim it. 
- Tiffany Shlain, 24/6

There was a time as we digitalized and improved technology it was theorized it would get rid of the paper waste and open up more free time for people to relax, travel, spend time with friends and family, and explore passions.  That hasn't been realized.  In fact the exact opposite is true on each account.  We are still buried under a mountain of paper, and we have less free time than before. 

When it comes to paper waste, most businesses I know still keep "back-up" copies of important documents in case their computers fail or storage files are corrupted.  People still want paper boarding passes and printed tickets.  A high percentage of serious readers are still drawn to hold a print copy, so millions of books are still produced every year with an enormous number unsold and destroyed. What a waste.

My connection to the sustainable community helped me finally make the switch to eBooks. When they made me aware of the incredible number of trees cut down annually to print books that never sell and are destroyed, I knew it was time.  The benefit?  When I travel I can bring an unlimited number of books in one device.  So much easier. I still buy a few print books, but they are special treasures - signed copies from authors I know or favorite titles I will read over and over.

The bigger issue, though, is that the advance of technology that was supposed to give mankind more free time has been an utter failure.  Instead, we are on our cell phones, computers and tablets constantly.  We answer calls, send texts and respond to DM's as they arrive instead of waiting until we get home. Many doom scroll constantly, which is having a negative impact on our mental health.  Back when I was co-owner of a local magazine, I remember being at a lunch seated across from a young photographer who wanted to break into the business. I thought I would be bombarded by questions, but she instead was constantly on her cell phone texting. When I asked why, she told me her friends would get mad at her if she didn't answer promptly. An opportunity was lost that day in an effort to keep her friends happy.

Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash

So much of our day is spent with our eyes and ears glued to a screen.  We allow ourselves drawn to be away from the real world and all it offers. We say we are too busy to travel (or take our work with us), read, clean the house, sew, paint, walk, workout, finish a project or hang with friends. In our defense, those creating the programs know how to put in the hook, and know how to keep us online once we are plugged in.  They spend millions every year to make sure we stay too engaged to walk away.

What is the answer?  There isn't an easy one.  The internet is not something I want to eliminate from my life.  It is what opened the door for me to begin a new career as a writer later in life.  It has allowed me to have control over what I write and how I publish it.  A lot of work? Yes, absolutely.  But I like a challenge.  Sometimes I keep firmly in charge of my time on the internet. Other times I fail miserably.  This sucks away time I could spend immersed in other pursuits - playing piano, sewing, taking a course, hitting the gym.  I have time, but it is easily squandered when I am not careful. 

Balance is key. Shutting down all the technology for periods to just be in the moment and learn how to fill those empty spaces in an old school way is important.  Whether it's scheduling a couple hours off every day, or having one day a week where you step away for 24 hours, taking a break gives you a chance to check in and see if you or the tech beast is in charge.  The trick is to totally unplug by turning off all access, and placing yourself firmly in a space where you aren't surrounded by others who are plugged in. Research shows even one person picking up their phone and scrolling will cause others around them to do the same. All your books on your tablet?  Put it in airplane mode so you're not tempted, but be careful to not let game apps draw you in. OR check out a few print books from your library for those days. 

A great book if you're interested in learning more is 24/6 by Tiffany Shlain. It covers the idea of balance and the importance of stepping away not totally, but just for a period of time - a break - each week.  I read it a month ago and have been pondering since how to implement this idea in a way that is sustainable. I'm still not quite sure what will work best for me, but it will come. What will I fill that time with?  Embracing sewing again.  Playing the piano. Board and card games with my husband. More exercise. Taking a class to learn a new skill, or improve skills I currently have. Maybe even making bread. And definitely more reading.

It's time to reclaim control over our free time.  Life is for the living and we all deserve better than to have our time siphoned away by our phone or computer.  We can find a way to use technology in a smart way and enjoy the incredible opportunities it offers. We just need to stay vigilant and in charge of it - not it of us.